The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22

DhLNG the past summer q party
Of Spanish scientists has been
i making e careful examination
OF the islands Of San Clemente
and Santa Catalina. and their move
ments attracted attention. as It was
supposed by the few men who were
taken as guides that they were hunt
ing for some buried treasure. It is
known-that is. by scientists-that
among the old and musty volumes in.
, enc OF the Libraries Of Spain several
years ago the log Of Cabrflo's voyage
was found; a document written either
BY Torquemada IN 154S. or Ferrello, the
pilot. Be this as it may. the log is at
tested and IS the best account we have
OF the first trip up the coast of the
famous captain, Cabrillo. who was the
real discoverer Of California
It is very natural that there should
be some discrepancy in the account
or rather some confusion, as to what
ports and bays were meant. 1t is
evident that the Spanish scientists had
some definite data, and IL Is supposed
that they discovered IN the library in
Spain. where the log was found, some
extra data relating to the island where
Cabrillo. It is supposed. died. Accord
ing TO the log he died at the island
at which his ship wintered-San
Miguel. The port Of San Miguel has,
IN the memory Of the white men, filed
at various times, and the island is
most inhospitable, while Santa Catalina
has, opposite the town Of CabriIlo, a
perfect land locked harbor Here.
doubtless. THE Spanish scientists sup
posed that the great explorer wintered
IN 1912 and died. leaving the ship in
the charge OF Ferrello. his second in
command
The investigators made a careful ex-
animation Of the latter island. They
found the Indian townsite at what is
now known as Cabrillo. and they ex-
cavated there They then went down
the coast and examined a town site at
Little Harbor. From here they went
% San Clemente island and then sailed
in a smau schooner for the south. it is
aaA4 70 II &C LLAE Val AOAc 4OLdllAlCS given
in the log and identify them for the
government. It is known that they
took the remains Of several men with
them, and by some 1t is thought that
they may have found the bones of the
great discoverer, and the next heard
OF them may be from Madrid. If this
is So the state Of California Will doubt
less claim them.
In the last 80 years several definite
expeditions have been formed and car
ried out with the object of finding the
remains Of the great captain. One Of
the first was by the government OF
Germany. A party of men was sent
% Santa Catalina when the island was
swned by the Lick estate. They hired
as guide a man named Felice Jose Pre-
siado, who had lived on the island
from the time Of Pho Pico They were
IN search Of the grave Of Cabrillo and
the temple on this island described by
viscaino in 1000. Presiado knew the
location OF every Indian town OF the
time OF CabrilIo. the facts, It is said,
being handed down. But this was not
necessary. as 80 years ago these spots
could be seen from a vessel a mile
of shore as they were as black as ink.
The hotel at Avalon on this island was
built on such a townsite, and here
Presiado began a series Of excavations,
Il result Of which may be seen in
German museums IN the display Of
almost every object used by the an
clients. But no claim was made of the
discovery Of Cabrillo's grave, and it is
not known what information the Ger