186 ENTER CORAL HAVEN. 



aiDpeared like fields of unripe gTain. We saw few 

 natives^ the opposite^ or southern shore^ being* pro- 

 babl}^ that chiefly inhabited. Close approach to 

 Pu'on Island was prevented by a second barrier 

 reef^ which we followed to the N.N.W. for several 

 miles beyond the end of the island^ anxiously looking* 

 out for an opening* into the fine expanse of pale blue 

 water seen to extend to the southward as far as the 

 larg-e south-east island.* At length an opening* in 

 the reef was observed^ and the ship hauled off and 

 hove to^ while Lieut. Yule examined it in one of his 

 boats. In the afternoon the Bramble having* made 

 the sig*nal ^^ passag*e clear but narrow/' was directed 

 to enter^ and we followed her through a fine opening* 

 400 yards wide^ and were immediately in sounding*s^ 

 which 111 fathoms of hue had failed to procm*e 

 only a short distance outside. After vStanding* to 

 the southward for two miles we anchored in 15 

 fathoms water. The name of Coral Haven was 

 bestowed upon this new harbour. We remained 

 here all next day^ during* which the natives in their 

 canoes came off to the Bramble^ and one or two of 

 the boats away sounding*^ but would not venture to 

 approach the ship. 



June l^tli, — The ship was moved in one and a 

 half miles to the southward^ towards the land, and 

 anchored in ten fathoms^ close to a reef covered at 

 high water^ and about a mile distant from a small 

 bank of dead coral and sand ; the former of these 



* This is 41 miles loug, and 10^ in greatest width. 



