NAUTICAL REMARKS. 395 



PASSAGE FROM VALPARAISO TO OTAHEITE. 



November Uh to March 18th. 



This was made in the summer, when the trade-wind ex- 

 tends furtlier south than at other times of the year; otherwise 

 it would be advisable to get into a lower latitude than that in 

 which our course was directed. The winds with us were very 

 variable, but always fair. I know nothing worthy of remark 

 here except the current, which, on our arrival at Elizabeth 

 Island, was found to have set the ship three hundred and 

 forty-nine miles to the westward in thirty-nine days, or at the 

 rate of 8*95 miles per day. 



Our route from Elizabeth Island was directed to each of the 

 islands lying between it and Otaheite, and we afterwards met 

 with too many interruptions to estimate the rate of the cur- 

 rents ; but at this time of the year in particular, there does 

 not appear to be much in any direction. At other times, 

 however, I am told that there is great difficulty in getting to 

 windward. In this sea the westerly monsoon, which some- 

 times extends as far as these islands, checks the regidarity of 

 the trade-wind, and it is not uncommon at such times to meet 

 a westerly wind with heavy rain. This is liable to occur from 

 December to February or March. The trade-wind in this 

 route in general hangs more to the eastward than the S.E. 

 trade in the Atlantic 



REMARKS ON THE PASSAGE FROM THE SOCIETY GROUP TO 

 THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



Jpril 26fh to May I8th. 



In making the passage from the Society Group to the Sand- 

 wich Islands, the time of the year should be considered. Be- 

 tween the months of April and October the trade-wind is 

 said to hang more to the eastward than at other times, and is 

 consequently favourable to the passage; but it is advisable 

 even at that season to cross the line well to windward, if pos- 

 sible between 145o and 148o, as all that is gained in that di- 



