322 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



Some detached islands, comparatively unknown, lying in the 

 direction of the Marquesas Group, are also commercially in- 

 teresting. One of the most remarkable is 500 miles due east 

 of the Navigators, and is known as Suwarrow. This is a 

 coral atoll of a triangular form, 50 miles in circumference, the 

 reef having an average width of half a mile across the narrowest 

 place, though divided by two rocks 200 yards apart into three 

 channels 5 fathoms deep at the lowest tides, with a level 

 bottom and no concealed dangers. Inside is a secure anchor- 

 age of varying depth, from 3 to 30 fathoms, offering accom- 

 modation for all the ships in the Pacific to ride in safety in 

 all weathers, with room to beat out with a fair wind half-way 

 round the compass, in or out. 



Suwarrow was uninhabited when I was in the Pacific, and 

 unclaimed by any nation. It is quite out of the track of 

 hurricanes, which have never been known to extend so far 

 eastward in this direction of the Pacific. There are nine or 

 ten islets in the reef, two of them about 1| mile in length, 

 which are covered with tall timber. Upon the one next to the 

 entrance into the lagoon are a great many cocoa-nut trees, and 

 about 40 acres of rich soil not encumbered by forest. There 

 is no fresh water on the surface, but undoubtedly this would 

 be obtained by digging. The place would support, at any rate, 

 about 100 Polynesians, and if properly superintended and 

 supplied with boats, seeds of vegetables, and other requisites, 

 would repay any arrangements of mercantile men for the in- 

 troduction of native labour, even at double the average rate of 

 wages, inasmuch as beche-de-mer is found here of good quality, 

 and in sufficient quantity to furnish a good annual cargo. The 

 shoal water of the lagoon also abounds in pearl-shell of the 

 largest size and finest lustre. The harbour could be utilised 

 as a depot for the collection of various cargoes, which could be 



