SANDWICH ISLANDS. 183 



CHAPTER XV. 



SANDWICH ISLANDS.* 



SEPTEMBER 30th. About noon this day, we made the 

 Island of Oahoo; and by 5 P. M., came-to in the roads off 

 of the town of Honolulu. Soon after, we communicated with 

 the shore, and had the satisfaction of receiving letters from 

 our friends at home. 



The appearance of Oahoo, when viewed from the roads, is 

 by no means inviting. The plain on which the town stands is 

 almost treeless, while the mountains to the eastward are a mass 

 of naked rock. These mountains are composed of basalt and 

 tufa ; and, doubtless, what is termed by the foreign residents 

 the " Devil's Punch Bowl," was once a volcanic crater, vomit- 

 ing forth the strong entrails of the nether world. 



Early in the following morning, we hove-up the anchor, and 

 towed the ship to a berth in the harbor, where we found about 

 a dozen other vessels, mostly American, and engaged in the 

 whale-fishery. The channel is narrow and tortuous, but the 

 harbor is perfectly secure and convenient. Vessels of four 

 to five hundred tons can lay along-side any of the wharves, 

 and discharge or receive their cargoes. It is defended by a 

 fort mounting some twenty guns. 



At 10 A. M., our Consul, P. A. Brinsmade, Esq., visited 



* These islands were discovered by the celebrated Captain Cook, who named them 

 after Lord Sandwich, the then Lord of the Admiralty. There are nine in number, 

 and bear the following native names : Hawaii, Oahoo, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, l.anai, 

 Hamakua, Kakoolawe, and Niihau. 



