Directions for Navigating on Part of the South Coast of Newfoundland, with a Chart Thereof, Including the Islands of St. Peter's and Miquelon / And a Particular Account of the Bays, Harbours, Rocks, Land-marks, Depths of Water, Latitudes, Bearings, and Distances from Place to Place, the Setting of the Currents, and Flowing of the Tides, &c., from an Actual Survey, Taken by Order of Commodore Pallisser, Governor of Newfoundland, Labradore, &c.

by James Cook

Description of Hermitage Bay.

From Pass Island to Great Jervis Harbour, at the Entrance into the Bay of Despair, the Course is N. by E. a quarter E. near three Leagues; and from Pass Island to the West End of Long Island, the Course is NNE. 8 Miles, between them is the Bay of Hermitage, which lies in ENE. 8 Leagues from Pass Island, with very deep Water in most Parts of it.

Fox Islands. The two Fox Islands, which are but small, lie nearly in the middle of Hermitage Bay, 3 Leagues and a half from Pass Island; near to these Islands is good Fishing Ground.

Hermitage Cove. Hermitage Cove is on the South-side of the Bay, opposite to Fox's Islands. To sail into it, you must keep between the Islands and the South Shore, where there is not the least Danger; in this Cove is good Anchorage for Shipping in 8 and 10 Fathom Water, and good Fishing Conveniences, with plenty of Wood and Water.

Long Island. Long Island, which separates the Bay of Despair from Hermitage, is of a triangular Form, about 8 Leagues in Circuit, of a tolerable Height, is hilly, uneven and barren. The East Entrance into the Bay of Despair from Hermitage Bay, is by the West-end of Long Island; about half a Mile from the S.W. Point of the said Island, are two Rocks above Water, with deep Water all round them.

Long Island Harbour. This Harbour lies on the South-side of Long Island, 2 Miles and a half from the West-end; before which is an Island, and several Rocks above Water, there is a narrow Passage into the Harbour on each Side of the Island; this Harbour is formed by two Arms, one laying into the North, and the other to the Eastward; they are both very narrow, and have in them from 42 to 7 Fathom Water; the East Arm is the deepest, and the best Anchorage.

Round Harbour. This Harbour, wherein is 6 Fathom Water, lies near 2 Miles to the E. ward of Long Island Harbour, is also in Long-Island; it will only admit very small Vessels, by reason the Channel going in is very narrow.

Picarre. Harbour Picarre lies N. by W. half a League from Little Fox Island, (which is the Westermost of Fox Islands) to sail into it you must keep near the West-point to avoid some sunken Rocks off the other, and anchor in the first Cove on the East-side in 9 or 10 Fathom, sheltered from all Winds.

Galtaus. This Harbour, which is but small, lies near the East-point of Long-Island; at the Entrance is several rocky Islands. The best Channel into the Harbour is on the West-side of these Islands, wherein is 4 Fathom Water, but in the harbour is from 15 to 24 Fathom. Here are several Places proper for erecting of Stages; and both this Harbour and Picarre are conveniently situated for a Fishery, they laying contiguous to the Fishing Ground about Fox Islands.

Passage of Long Island Between the East-end of Long Island and the Main, is a very good Passage out of Hermitage Bay, into the Bay of Despair.