The times., 1898-07-18

therefore difficult to be navigated by
big ships, but the dangers are easily
seen and can be avoided and the har-
Dor is safe from winds. There appears
to be little lifesof cultivation hereabouts
and nothing of value 10 be obtained, but
the place might be made of Importance
if necessary.
The coast south of Cape Maysi is ex-
posed to the eastward and there is usu-
ally heavy sea breaking upon it. 1t
should not be closely approached. All
along the extreme southern coast the
mountain range runs close down along
the shore. Three cuts or ravines, Ca
leta, Caletilla, and Jauco, are very con-
spicuous and serve as excellent land
marks to the seamen. The land down
to the waters edge is thickly wooded,
and especially so near the Jauco River
There is an anchorage off Caieta, shell
tered by high land from east-southeast
round by north to west. Although
heavy squalls sometimes cause vessels
to drag here this anchorage is very use
full, as it is the only one in the vicinity.
1t is ninety miles east of Santiago and
twenty from Cape Maysi.
There are some other anchorages on
the way westward toward Baitlqueri,
but they are little more than beaches
and afford comparatively small protec-
ton from wind and sea 10 a vessel
The coast is very bold and rocky with
deep water close TO il. High mountains
range all along to very near the shore,
with here and there breaks or openings,
but no anchorages until Baitiqueri is
reached.
Port Baitiqueri lies sixty miles east
of Santiago. The entrance between the
outer points is nearly 400 yards in
breadth btlt IL ms m ahnItf r1jp
yards al the inner point, when the har-
Dor opens out to between four hundred
and sixty yards in breadth and about
LOO yards in length. II is sheltered by
the mountains which surround it.
The port can be readily recognized
by the Pan de AZucar which is about
five miles from the entrance. Between
the outer entrance points the channel
is 100 feet wide, but in the northws st
part it is only fifty feet in breadth,
with depth of twelve feet. Baitiqueri
is fine port.
Fifty miles east of Santiago and ten
east Of Guantanamo is Port Escondido,
or Hidden Harbor, which, as is name
implies, is very difficult to discover
The entrance lies between two rocky
points, about 200 yards apart and is 300
yards long, but the channel-way Is only
about eighty yards wide, with a depth
OF from four TO six fathoms The in
terror opens out into an irregular form,
with many easily seen small islets scat
tered about.
The port is sheltered from all winds
and is tit for large vessels. There are
no settlements in the vicinity, and ap-
parently this good port fit for deep
water ships. serves no purpose.
Guantanamo comes next. II is a port
eleven miles long with deep water. well
sheltered, in every way a good harbor,
as all the world knows since Admiral
Sampson captured il and used it as his
base of supplies. Many extensive sugar
plantations lie in the vicinity. The land
Is very productive and the place should
develop a large lucrative tropical bust
ness.
Little need 10 be told of the Law of the
land between Ascerraderos on the left
and Guantanamo on the right of San
tiago. Every inch of that coast has
been gone over, shelied, shot at, in
vaded, and marched over, and its ports
have been often described. Santiago
is one Of the finest harbors in Cuba
and the surrounding country is of the
richest Tobacco, sugar, coffee, and
fruits are cultivated. and nearby iron
of good quality is mined. American en-
terprise probably will greatly develop
the resources hereabouts.