“Socorro Island is a semi-submerged cinder, slightly mildewed, and with the redeeming feature of possessing fresh water, but with the misfortune of being unable to pass it because of the repellant character of its contour (visiting ships take notice). Its single central summit has an altitude of 3706 feet above the deep surrounding sea and should in fair weather be visible from a distance of 70 miles. At first glance it appeared like a large ripe boil but it soon showed signs of discharge; in fact, it proved to consist entirely of Continue Reading