#2: [29-Dec-14]

22-Apr-2002 -- After three and a half months we are back in the Canary Islands! The Island of Hierro is already well known to us, together with the "Battle for the Longitude".

To the West of the Confluence there is Isla de la Gomera. This island is bordered by rugged perpendicular cliffs with a few sandy beaches and detached rocks. The central part of the island is an elevated plateau. The capital of the island is San Sebastián de la Gomera.

We met the Confluence with an accuracy of 4 m, in position 28°00,000' N and 17°00,002'W at 09:21 hrs.

The more famous island which can be seen in the East of this Confluence, however, is Tenerife, a tourist resort of first importance for Europeans, and it is the largest and most remarkable of the Canary Islands. It is traversed centrally nearly the whole of its length by a very high range of mountains, the sides of which slope steeply towards the sea. Forests cover parts of the higher ground, and the valleys abound in vegetation.

Unfortunately it was too hazy to make out Pico de Teide, the volcano with an elevation of 3,717 m (12,195 ft), which lies at the centre of the island. It is the most remarkable feature of the Canary Islands. It erupted last in 1909 and yielded a stream of black lava 3 miles long. In 1933, some volcanic activity occurred on the floor of the ocean off Tenerife Island.

Tenerife has a population of about 550,000 and its climate is considered to be exceptionally healthy. The capital of Tenerife and the whole district of the Canary Islands is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on the East side of the island.

For 2^nd Officer Sydorenko and Chief Engineer Kokorev it was the first time in their life to see Tenerife Island. They enjoyed the magnificient view when we continued sailing along its coast.

The NW-most tip of Tenerife is Punta Teno. A strong lighthouse is located there and the sea breaks heavily around this cape.

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Information about the Islands of Gomera and Tenerife obtained partly from Nautical Publication Nr. 1, Africa Pilot, Vol I, "The West Coast of Africa from Cabo Espartel to Bakasi Pensinsula", 13^th ed. 1982 and Supplement 7^th ed. 1999, British Admiralty, Hydrographer of the Navy, Ministry of Defence, Taunton, England)

In the sea, between Tenerife and Gomera, both of which will be visible on a clear day