File:The merchant vessel - a sailor boy's voyages around the world (1884) (14780020315).jpg

Identifier: merchantvesselsa1884nord (find matches)
Title: The merchant vessel : a sailor boy's voyages around the world
Year: 1884 (1880s)
Authors: Nordhoff, Charles, 1830-1901 LaPlante, Charles. egr Wyllie, W. L. (William Lionel), 1851-1931. ill Dodd, Mead & Company. pbl
Subjects: Boys Conduct of life Voyages and travels Voyages around the world Merchant ships Seafaring life Sailing Slavery
Publisher: New York : Dodd, Mead & Co.
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library

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ng. In consequence, on the third night out, all hands werecalled, in a hurry, to tack ship off shore. Coming on deck,we found the vessel in close proximity to land. Fifteenminutes longer on her prescribed course would have set herashore. We were heartily sorry that the old tub had notstruck, as it would have released us from our unpleasantsituation. But, as the breeze was gentle, she was easily workedoff shore. On the sixth day we reached Buen Ayre, withoutmeeting with any farther noteworthy accident on our way. Buen Ayre, or Bon Ayre as it is more generally called, atleast by seamen, is a beautiful little islet lying off the coastof Venezuela, and a few hours sail east of the more importantIsland of Curacoa. It is about twenty miles in length, theaverage breadth not being more than four miles. It is inter-sected by a mountain range, of no great height, however.Lying in the track of the north-east trade winds, it has a mostcharming climate. The brilliant sky, pure and bracing air, and
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NEGRESSES OF GUIANA. BURN AYRE. 341 the clear and beautiful waters of the sea which surrounds it, allcombine to inspire one with new energies, and present a sc<of natural beauty which is unsurpassed in my experience. The principal article of export (at least to the UnitedStates) is salt. The island belongs to the crown of Holland. Iunderstood that the salt pans, together with the slaves whowork them, who are also the property of the crown, are farmedout for a term of years to the highest bidder, thus being, in fact,worked by private capital and enterprise. The other most valuable product of the island is coch-ineal. There are plantations of considerable extent on the plainsinland, where the bugs, which when properly roasted and pul-verized form the valuable cochineal of commerce, are carefullvtended by slaves. The little animals feed upon the leaves ofsmall trees, and are shaken down at regular periods into sheetsheld below, then prepared and sent to Holland, where theyfinally come

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