The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-07-30
HARBORS OF OUR
new POSSESSIONS
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COAST
OF SANTIAGO PROVINCE.

| CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COAS1
OF SANTIAGO PROVINCE.
Numerous Bays Dent the Rock!
Shore of This Part CT Cuba,-Fin>
Anchorage on the Northeasterr
Coast, Including Port Barncoa
Marked by "The Anvil"-Alons
the Southern Line-Port Escondi.
do, or Hidden Harbor, Now Put to
No Use, but OF Great Possibilities
Perhaps the greatest value to the
United States of the territory in Eastern
Cuba surrendered 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
water falls and the fertile valleys are all
OF secondary Importance when 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 surrendered territory, which is
also the eastern extremity of Cuba, says
the New York Herald, is known to navi-
gators as Cape Maysi. 1t juts out boldly
into the Windward passage, which sepa-
rates Cuba from Haiti, fifty miles dis
tant.
The greater number of ships bound for
the Caribbean sea sight Cape Maysi, a
long, low point, covered with brushWood;
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.
N1,o 80 ic toir hot,
excellent landmarks, visible to a ship a
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 circular light
house, from which is exhibited a fixed
it is supposed to be visible nearly seven
teen miles. g..
Cape Maysi light is about forty miles,
frc m Santiago. About fifteen miles fur
ther along on the northeastern coast is,
Yumuri anchorage, where many anchor
in eleven fathoms of water, though thare
is nc shelter from northerly winds. The
Yumuri river runs through great break
in the mountains and empties into the
sea at this anchorage.
Within five miles OF Yumuri is Tort
Mata, which is only fit for small vessels.
The same is true Of Port Bona. two or
three" miles further along. At both these
places good water, wood and fresh sup
plies can ordinarily be obtained.
All along this 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 prevailing
winds and precipitous shores make a
landing impossible In most parts and ex-
trenely. hazardous in tho few shallow
open bays, where sand instead Of rock
can be found.
Within a distance Of five miles from
Port Bona lies Mel BaNZand ANCHORAGE.
at that part of the coast where the Mel
river empties into the Sea. Here the
rocky coast ceases and a sandy beach
follows extending west for mile to the
foot OF Fort Matachin, Of the town Of
Baraoca. p.
Mel bay is nearly mile in breath and
is somewhat sheltered from easterly
winds. Ships can anchor in six fathoms
or water within four hundred yards of
the shore. This anchorage is often sought
by sailing vessels wishing to communi-
cate with Baracoa, but not desiring to
sail there.
Port Baracoa may be readily found, as
stated above, by the Yunque de Baracoa,
or Anvil, four miles back from the en-
trance. This is steep and fat-topped
mountain nearly 1000 feet high. 1t may
be seen at distance of forty miles. 1t
is partly covered with vegetation and
there are some white and red spots in
the rocks of which it is composed, visible
at some distance. It is a most useful
landmark and cannot be mistaken for any
other mountain.
The shores of Port Baracoa are bounded
by sandbank, which considerably con-
~ n 10 he ovnn n1v to- l. =.
prevailing winds, which thrown in
heavy sea, but vessels can anchor in
safety close up to the town in five faith
oms Of water.
The population numbers about six thou
sand. There is a good hospital on the
hill and there are several Notifications.
The port is the center Of a large fruit
trade. Remittent fever Is at times prev
alent at Baracoa, but the place, owing to
its exposed position, is generally health
full.
Fresh meat and fish can be had at all
times, and large quantities of fruit are
e2 II rted to, the United States. There is
telegraphic communication to Havana
ard to Santiago, and there is lighthouse
with fixed white light fifty feet above
the sea which may be seen nine mics.
Altogether, Baracoa is a very desirable
Pace to operate from against Puerto
Rico, five, hundred miles away.
Port Maravi is the next anchorage,
abe ut twenty miles distant from Baracoa.
1t is fit. however, only for small vessels,
because Of the narrowness Of the fair
way. fs+s2s
Next comes Port Taco, fife en- miles to
the northwest. This, too, is small ha1-
bcr, but is tolerably Deep though the
torturous narrow entrance makes the
rsvigation of the channel very difficult
for large ships. Otherwise it is safe
81 caorage and good one.
The remainder of the northern coast,
acquired by our government from ToraTs
surrender is bordered by numerous ont
lying reefs, to get through which is very
difficult, though small vessels Of eight
srd twelve feet draught of water can do
so without much danger If they know the
way. The only port of any consequence
along this fringed coast Of twenty miles
is Tanamo.
Port Tanamo is the place wler the line
of coded territory terminates. It is port
of considerable extent. though studded
with small islets, between which are deep
channels. The cut through the reef and
the channel into the port are both very
narrow and therefore very difficult to be
snav;gated by big ships, but the dangers
are easily seen and can be avoided, and
the harbor is safe from winds. There ap-
pears to be little life or cultivation here
sabouts. and nothing of value to be OBJ
tanned, but the place might be made of
Importance il necessary.
The coast south of Cape Maysi is ex-
posed to the eastward and there is usually
a heavy sea breaking upon it. 1t should
not be closely. approached. All along this
extreme southern coast the mountain
ranE.s runs close down along the shore
Three cuts or rayines, Caleta. Caletilla
and Jauco, are very conspicuous and
serve as excellent landmarks to the sea-
man. The land down to the waters edge
is shickly wooded, and especially SO near
the Jauco river.
There is an anchorage off Caleta, shell.
Ter by high land fror,, - "a slt se,,t l,a.s 81