Bermuda is a remarkably lovely archipelago with a temperate, subtropical climate where crops can be grown the year through. Its far-flung reefs were monstrous toothy traps for unwary masters and navigators of homebound carracks and galleons—and later frigates, sloops and schooners, clippers side-wheelers and ocean liners—but those who could work their way through the reefs found safe and commodious harbors among the five main islands and the 300-odd rocks and islets.