Spaniards in their dock yards uſe for every purpoſe of ſhip building, making maſts, &c. A veſſel may lay ſo near the ſhore as to haul off its water; but the time of anchoring muſt be conſidered, as the flats run off a long way, and it is poſſible to be deceived in the diſtance. The high water, by my calculation is at half paſt three o'clock; at full and change the flood comes from the North and returns the ſame way, flowing ſeven hours and ebbing five, and the perpendicular riſe of the tide two fathoms. I found ſeveral betel nuts which appeared to have been waſhed on the ſhore by the tide, but I did not ſee any of the plants that bear them, growing on the ſhore, though ſeveral of my people, after we had left the place, mentioned their having ſeen many of them.
It would not be adviſable for men of war and armed veſſels, acting upon the defenſive or offenſive, to anchor far in, as the wind throughout the day, blows freſh from the Eaſtward, and right on ſhore, ſo that an enemy would have a very great advantage over ſhips in ſuch a ſituation. There is good anchorage throughout the bay; at five or ſix miles diſtance, thirty-three and thirty-five fathom, with a mud bottom, and firm holding ground.
The moſt commanding look out is the top of Quicara, we ſaw it over Quibo (which is low and flat) while we