Gold Rush Letters of the Reverend James Rogers the Ohio drove boldly into the harbor, passed the castle & anchored in reach of her guns. The officers of the Ohio then received warning not to do that again. Therefore we stood back & forth before the harbor until morning. About sunrise I came on deck and found the ship standing straight for the harbor. Havana appears to be really an ancient town built in the style of the 15th century, with narrow streets and lofty houses. The mode of conveyance seemed novel enough to a northerner. A few of our company treated themselves to a ride. I may not be able to give you a correct idea of their appearance, but just imagine if you can, a carriage and equipage after the following style. Two light but large wheels, connected by axle, with shafts about three times as long as we use in the north; and on these shafts, just forward of the wheels, the body of the carriage, covered, there you have it. It did seem strange enough to see the animal so far preceding the carriage. The vegetation on the Island was very luxuriant. Orange trees flourished on the hillsides, & many other plants and trees peculiar to the latitude were abundant. The fortifications of the town are extensive. They had the appearance in some parts of being hewn from the solid rock upon which they rest. Other parts seem so slight that many thought them of brick. The boats used in the harbor for passengers have an awning over the part where they sit, the rowers are uncovered, and, if they sail, the helmsman takes the main-sheet (rope) in at the stern. About all the Spanish I learned while lying there was the method used to call the attention of one at a little distance. A plain English Halloo is not understood by the Cuban, but when he hears a sudden hisst he turns instantly to discover what is wanted. About 10 AM the Falcon came alongside the Ohio, & we commenced transferring ourselves and our baggage. The transfer delayed us till near 5 PM. This was quite disagreeable on account of the showers during the time. The upper deck of the Falcon does not extend her whole length, therefore we were much exposed to the rain, and the main deck was covered with water while we were lying still. Between four and five PM the Ohio weighed anchor, and the Falcon followed her out of the harbor. As we neared the castle we fired one gun which woke the echoes nicely from the fortifications and hills.—Before taking final leave of Havana, I ought to say something about the harbor. I know not what others have written about it, but my private opinion is that it is excellent. The light of the castle is first rate, the entrance easy, and the protection complete. While lying at anchor, a stranger who had not noticed our ingress would not have been able to tell the way of egress, so completely were we surrounded by the rocky yet verdant hills. When fairly out at sea, we found a heavy swell running which we had not anticipated, so quiet had we been while in the harbor. We soon diverged from the course of the Ohio, and as my feet were very wet, I tried to find as dry a place as I could, and then cared not how long the Ohio kept in sight. 264