NAUTICAL REMARKS. 417 



wait until the wind falls, and then tow into the harbour; or 

 if the wind be off the land, set fore and aft sails, and keep the 

 boats ready with the lines in them. There are three channels 

 to the inner harbour : of which the two south ones only are 

 frequented, on account of the currents running strong through 

 that to the northward. Perhaps the centre channel, though 

 scarcely broader than a frigate, had better be used going in, 

 and the south coming out. In the centre channel there are 

 eight or twelve fathoms water; but in the southern one a shoal 

 extends from the shore which renders it necessai-y to keep 

 close to the rock. Anchor in eight and a half fathoms about 

 midway between the outer reef and the shore, opposite some 

 cottages; and moor head and stern by fastening cables to the 

 trees on shore, and carrying out the small bower close to the 

 outer reef. 



To proceed to sea it is necessary to warp into the outer an- 

 chorage after the sea breeze has done in the evening, or very 

 early in the morning, before it sets in, and push through the 

 channel before the current makes strong. In all these en- 

 trances the current sets out in the daytime, sometimes at the 

 rate of two or three knots, and rather sweeps over the reef to 

 the leeward. There is another entrance to Toanoa from 

 Papete, but that just described is the most convenient. 



The harbour of Papawa is not frequented, and as it cannot 

 be entered without a pilot, I shall give no directions for it. 



PAPIETE. 



Two miles to the westward of Toanoa there is a liarbour, 

 called by the natives Papiete, capable of containing at least 

 thirty vessels. The entrance is even narrower than that at 

 Toanoa, being only three hundred and seventy feet in the 

 clear, and has a bar with only four and a quarter fathoms 

 upon it. The current here runs out faster than through the 

 channel to the northward, and in blowing weather the sea 

 breaks quite across. This is also a more intricate and dangerous 

 channel than the other ; and the only way for a stranger to 

 ensure safety is to moor a boat in the middle of the channel. 



