Socorro Island MX

Isla Socorro (18°48'N., 110°59'W.), the largest island of the group, rises abruptly from the sea to a summit, 1,130m high. When viewed from seaward, this island has a barren and desolate appearance. Its surface is broken by furrows, small craters, and numerous ravines. The island is covered by a dense growth of cactus and sage with some grass, but the vegetation in general is of a low order. There are lava outcrops in places and lava lines the walls of many of the ravines.

Cabo Regla, the S extremity of the island, consists of a rocky bluff which is surmounted by a hill, 76m high. A small cove, with a rocky beach, lies about 0.5 mile E of the point and a village, with a church, stands on its W side. Two beacons form a range which leads to a boat landing at the head of the cove.

Bahia Braithwaite, entered 0.5 mile NE of the small cove, provides sheltered anchorage, from all except S and E winds, during December to June. Vessels can anchor, in depths of 18 to 20m, sand and shell with rock in places, about 0.3 mile offshore, with the highest peak of the island bearing 335°. This bay can be identified by a rocky beach at its head.

Bahia Cornwallis, entered NW of Cabo Regla, provides shelter from June to December, but vessels must anchor close inshore. The anchorage lies off the first of two white coral beaches to the W of Cabo Regla. Large vessels can anchor, in a depth of 15m, within Caleta Binner, a cove, which lies in the SE part of the bay.

Ensenada Grayson (Caleta Grayson), an inlet, lies 3 miles NW of Cabo Regla and is the location of a freshwater spring. The site is marked by the letter W over an inverted arrow cut into the face of the cliff. Several shallow rocks lie in the approach to this inlet.

Cabo Pearce, the E extremity of Isla Socorro, is dominated by a tableland which stands about 1 mile inland and is 305m high. It is reported that volcanic activity has formed new shoals in this vicinity and towards Bahia Braithwaite, the rock-fringed E extremity of the island. Vessels should navigate with caution.

Cabo Middleton, the N extremity of the island, consists of a low peninsula which is connected to the shore by a neck of sand. Rock Islets, two detached above-water rocks, lie about 1 mile offshore, 1 mile ENE of this point. It is reported that breakers have been sighted extending up to about 0.8 mile W from these rocks.

Anchorage can be taken by small craft within a deep and sheltered bight located at the E side of the cape. A bight located at the W side should be avoided due to several detached rocks lying in the entrance.

Cape Henslow, located 5 miles SW of Cabo Middleton, is the outer extremity of a small peninsula. This cape consists of vertical cliffs, 30m high. Oneal Rock (Piedra Oneal), steep-to and 13m high, lies about 1 mile NNW of the cape and is marked by breakers on its NW and SE sides.

Punta Tosca, the W extremity of Isla Socorro, is located 2.3 miles S of Cape Henslow.

This is a repost of a previous effort.  Socorro Island is the largest of the Revillagigedo Archipelago.  It is the site of recent volcanic activity. I believe there is a bird, the Socorro Island Dove, that is endangered due to feral cats.

Enjoy!

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