Inhabited Island in the Pacific. 279 



under easy sail, and thus to leave de Peyster's and Shcrson's 

 Islands one degree to the north and south. On the 14th July 

 1825, at 5 h A. M., after a very hazy and rainy night, it was 

 presumed that land was to be seen a-head, but very indistinct- 

 ly ; and shortly after the breakers were distinctly heard. The 

 vessel was brought to, and the signal made for the Maria 

 Reygersberch frigate to do the same. After sunrise, they 

 discovered a very low island, bearing W. by S., two miles 

 distant (miles of 60 to a degree.) The land appeared well 

 stocked with cocoa and other trees. About noon, they had 

 the north point of the island, S. 60° E. The longitude of this 

 island and its latitude being ascertained, with as much accura- 

 cy as circumstances would allow, and no other island being 

 found in the same position in any of the charts on board, this 

 was deemed a new discovery. The nearest land was de 

 Peyster's group, but it was 5CV different in latitude. Though 

 the sky was very clear, no other islands were seen at the same 

 time. The name of Nederlandich Island was given to this 

 new land. Its north point is in lat. 7° 10 7 S., and the centre 

 of it in long. 177° 33' 16" E. from Greenwich ; the varia- 

 tion of the magnetic needle being 7° to the east. The longi- 

 tude was determined by three chronometers. One of these, 

 made by Thomson, was reckoned the most accurate ; its rate 

 had been ascertained seventeen days before at Nukahiwa, and 

 its differences from the other two were very regular. A few 

 days before eoming in sight with the island, the longitude was 

 ascertained by lunar observations, agreeing remarkably well 

 with the chronometers. This island has a form resembling a 

 horse shoe ; its extent is about eight miles. In the west side 

 is an indentation, closed by low reefs, and terminating in a 

 lagoon. The natives, some of whom were armed with long 

 sticks, were very numerous, sitting or running along the shore, 

 as the vessel sailed along. An armed boat was dispatched to- 

 wards the shore. The island appeared iron-bound ; for, at a 

 boat's length from shore, the depth was six fathoms, and rough 

 coral ground. A ship's length from shore there was fifteen 

 fathoms depth. At the N. W. point they found a coral reef, 

 projecting far in the sea, and on which there was a heavy 

 surf. It was supposed that these were the breakers heard 



