The times., 1898-07-18
OUR NEW HARBORS.
Fine AncbGrages Abound in Our
Conquered Territory.

Conquered Territory.
New York, July 17.-Perhaps the
greatest value to the United States of
dered by Gen Toral to Gen. Shafter
lies in it's ports and harbors. The high
mountain ranges, where health may be
found, the picturesque streams. the wa
terfalls, and the fertile valleys, are all
of secondary Importance compared with
the excellent harbors into which fleets
may steam and anchor, secure from
molestation while fitting out, loading,
and handling cargo.
The eastern extremity of the surren-
dered territory, which is also the east
ern extremity of the Island of Cuba, is
known to navigators as Cape Maysi 1t
juts out boldly into the Windward Pas
sage, which separates Cuba from Haiti,
fifty miles distant.
The greater number of ships bound
for the Caribbean Sea sight Cape Maysi,
long, low point, covered with brush
wood; but two miles to the westward
the land rises in three steps TO a height
Of 1850 feet, and then gradually slopes
up to the eastern summit of the Cobre
Mountains.
The peaks of this mountain chain
form excellent landmarks, visible to a
ship long way off. A notable one is
the Anvil, so called from it's shape. 1t
is twenty-seven miles back from Maysi,
and four miles from Port Baracoa, for
which it is a good guide.
On Cape Maysi there is a circular
lighthouse. from which is exhibited a
fixed white light at an elevation of 12S
seventeen miles.
Cape Maysi light is about forty miles
from Santiago. About fifteen miles far
ther along on the northeastern coast is
Yumuri anchorage, where vessels may
anchor in eleven fathomS of water,
though there is no shelter from north
erly winds. The Yumuri River runs
through a great break in the mountains
and empties into the sea at this anchor
age.
Within FIVE miles of Yumuri is Port
Mata, which is only fit for small yes
sells. The same IS true of Port Bona.
two or three miles farther along. AT
both these places, good water, wood,
and fresh supplies can ordinarily be OBJ
tained.
All along the northeast coast of Cuba
the shores are high and rocky, with
mountain peaks close by. The water
is very deep and the approach, on the
main, free from dangers, but the pre-
vailing winds and precipitous shores
make a landing impossible in most
parts and extremely hazardous in the
| few shallow open bays where sand in
stead of rock can be found.
Within a distance OF five miles from
Port Bona lies Mel Bay and anchorage,
at that part of the coast where the
| Mel River empties into the sea. Here
the rocky coast ceases and sandy
| beach follows, extending west for mills
| TO the foot of Fort Matachin, OF the
| town of Baracoa.
Mel Bay is nearly a mile in breadth
and is somewhat sheltered from east
| erly winds Ships can anchor in six
fathoms of water within four hundred
| yards of the shore. This anchorage is
often sought by sailing vessels wishing
! 20 communicate with BaTacoa but not
| desiring to sail there.
Port Baracoa may be readily found
| as stated above, by the YunQue Bara-
| coa, or Anvil, four miles back from the
| entrance. This is a steep and fat
| topped mountain nearly 1900 feet high
| 1t may be seen at distance of forty
| miles. 1t is partly covered with vegeta-
| ton and there are some white and red
| spots in the rocks of which it is com
posed visible at some distance. 1t is a
most useful landmark and cannot be
mistaken for any other mountain.
The shores of Port Baracoa are
| bounded by a sandbank, which consid-
| erably contracts the anchorage. 1t is
exposed to the prevailing winds, which
| throw in a heavy sea, but vessels can
| anchor in safety close up to the town
in five fathoms Of water.
| The population numbers about six
| thousand There is a good hospital or
the hill and there are several fortifica-
! tions. The port is the center of a large
fruit trade. Remittent fever is at times
| prevalent at Baracoa, but the place
| owing to its exposed position, is gener-
| ally healthful.
| Fresh meat and fish can be had at al
| times, and large quantities of fruit are
exported to the United States. There is
telegraphic communication to Havana
| and to Santiago, and there is a light
house with a fixed white light fifty fest
above the sea, which may be seen min;
| miles Altogether, Baracoa is a very
! desirable place to operate from agains
| Porto RICO, I'VE IIIltS away.
| Port Maravi is the next anchorage
about twenty miles distant from Bara
Goa, 1t is fit, however, for only small
| vessels, because OF the narrowness o.
the fairway.
Next comes Port Taco, fifteen mile.
to the northwest. This, too, is a small
| harbor, but is tolerably deep, though
| the tortuous, narrow entrance make:
the navigation of the channel very diff
cult, though small vessels Of eight anC
| twelve feet draught of water can do 81
| without much danger il they know tn,
| way. The only port of any consequence
| along this fringed coast of twenty miie
| is Tanamo.
| Port Tanamo is the place where tn
| line of ceded territory terminates. 1t i
a port of considerable extent, though
| studded with small islets, between
which are deep channels. The Gu
| through the reef and the channel int,
the port are both very narrow, anC