Isla Desecheo [NA-094]
by Wolfgang Schippke, DC3MF (updated:
29th of May 1997)
Desecheo (18N23,
67W29) is a small uninhabited island located on the west side of Puerto
Rico, and claimbed by the USA, but also in interest by Cuba, and disputed
between both countries. In former times, during the Cuba Problem, the US
Mariners had a station on the island, which seams to be abandoned today.
Desecheo is steep-sided and rocky and rises to 715 ft. The island is mostly
round in surface with a mean diameter of about 1.1 miles. There are several
small islet round Desecheo, like El Murro, a group of three
larger steep-sided rocks, 100 to 145 ft high, located offshore the western
side, or Islotes Dospiedras, on the east side. Landing is
possible on several places during calm sea, like in Puerto Canoitas on
the south side, or Puerto Manolillo, a wide open bay on the west side.
The best landing place is Puerto de Lobo Botes, a deep bay on the south-western
side of the island. In the vicinity to that bay several houses are located
on a table-land, 400 ft above the sea. A ruined and abandoned lighthouse
stands near Punta Culebron, 400 meters east of this bay. Desecheo seams
to be discovered by C.Columbus in 1492, but not named. The preset name
was given by Nunez Alvarez de Aragon in 1517. Since 1983 the island is
a nature reserve, but frequently used by modern pirates as a base. In 1989
a US.yacht was entered by unknown pirates and the sailors were brought
to Desecheo. After 3 weeks the people were transfered to Isla Mona and
got freedom.
From an Island Handbook:
Desecheo: 360 acre island is located approximately 14 miles west of
the northwest corner of Puerto Rico. Desecheo is a rugged, rocky island
with its highest peak reaching 676 feet. It was, at one time, the site
of the largest Red-footed and Brown Booby nesting colony in the Caribbean.
It is now nearly deserted due to extensive disturbance from exotic rhesus
monkeys and feral goats. Desecheo is home to 3 endemic lizards and the
endangered cactus, Harrisia portoricensis.