called Fugle-Skiaerene (or the Bird-rocks).
The one which is nearest the land; and lies
close under Reykanes, is called Carls-klippe:
it is very dark, and has much the appearance
of a church with pointed steeples. The
distance between this and the second rock,
called Eld-Ey * (or the Flour-bag), is one
and a half Danish miles. Between these
islands is the best channel and that which is
most generally used. One may likewise pass
between the other Fugle-Skiaers, if there is
a tolerably fresh breeze; but the sea breaks
very heavily, especially in spring tides, and
may cause broken seas and put the vessel to
great danger.
O
* Eld-Ey, or Jld Oe. The Icelanders call these rocks
by the general appellation of El-Eyranne, or Ild-oerne
(Fire islands), probably thereby intending to intimate
that they have formerly been volcanoes, and have been
produced by revolutions similar to those that have
happened in the East Indies, in the Archipelago, at Sicily,
and many other places, and very lately in Iceland
1783, with the Blinde Fugle-Skicer, as it is called;
which, although it afterwards sank again and therefore
justly bears the name of the Blinde SJcicer (that
is, sunken rock), may probably by some future convulsion
again raise itself high above the water. More
will presently be said concerning this Blinde Fugle-
Skicer.
If opportunity offers I should always consider
it safest to go between Carls-klippe and
the Flour-bag, whether in coming from the
eastward to the western harbors in Iceland,
or in going from Iceland to the southward;
both because the course is shorter and there
are more certain sea marks. When clear of
the Fugle-Skiaers, you must be on your
guard, more especially if you turn to windward,
against a dangerous sunken rock,
called the Blinde Fugle-Skiaer, of which I
shall immediately have occasion to make
mention.
I have laid down the Fugol e-Skiaerene,y
with regard to their situation between themselves
and from Reikanes, according to
Minor’s description, with a few inconsiderable
corrections from M. de Verdun’s observations,
and from a great number of bearings
which 1 had the opportunity of taking, both
when going to Iceland and on my return.
The outermost of the Fugol e-Skiaersy,
which is called in the Icelandic lango uagoe',
Gier Fugla-Skiaerdrange, and by Minor,
Grenadeer-Huen (the Grenadier’s-cap), lies,