PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 139 



over all parts of the reef, and with such unequal v . 

 violence that the treacherous smoothness would one v -~y— 



Dec. 



moment tempt a landing, while the next wave, as 1825. 

 we unfortunately experienced, would prove fatal to 

 any boat that should hazard it. 



Lieutenant Belcher was sent to ascertain the 

 depth of water round the island, with permission to 

 land if unattended with danger ; and Mr. Collie ac- 

 companied him, Mr. Barlow being midshipman of 

 the boat. Pulling round the island, they came to a 

 place where the sea appeared tolerably smooth, and 

 where in the opinion of the officers a landing might 

 be effected. The boat was accordingly anchored, 

 and Messrs. Belcher and Collie prepared to land, by 

 veering the boat into the surf, and jumping upon 

 the reef. They had half filled tvvo life-preservers, 

 with which they were provided, when Mr. Belcher 

 observed a heavy roller rising outside the boat, and 

 desired the crew to pull and meet it, which was 

 done, and successfully passed ; but a second rose still 

 higher, and came with such violence that the sitters 

 in the stern of the boat were thrown into the sea ; a 

 third of still greater force carried all before it, upset 

 the boat, and rolled her over upon the reef, where 

 she was ultimately broken to pieces. Mr. Belcher 

 had a narrow escape, the boat being thrown upon him, 

 the gunwale resting upon his neck and keeping him 

 down ; but the next sea extricated him, and he 

 went to the assistance of his companions ; all of 

 whom were fortunately got upon the reef, except 

 one young lad, who probably became entangled with 

 the coral, and was drowned. The accident was im- 

 mediately perceived from the ship, and all the boats 

 sent to the assistance of the survivors. But the 



