NEW ZEALAND. 121 



CHAPTER XL 



NEW ZEALAND.* 



On the morning of the 30th of March, having made New 

 Zealand, we tacked ship and by 10.30 P. M., " came to " in 

 the Bay of Islands in five fathoms water. Both the " Por- 

 poise " and the " Flying Fish " were found at anchor here. 

 The former reported that, after parting from us, she coasted 

 along the solid barrier of ice several hundred miles, seeking in 

 vain for an opening by which to approach the land beyond the 

 barrier; that she passed many icebergs in which were im- 

 bedded gravel and boulders ; also, that she fell in with the 

 French exploring squadron, and attempted to speak with the 

 admiral's ship (" Astrolabe "), but when they had almost 

 reached her, she tacked ship and stood away — thereby declin- 

 ing any communication. 



The " Flying Fish " experienced very severe weather, by 

 which her safety was much endangered, but she did not dis- 

 cover any land. The Bay of Islands is very capacious, and 

 affords excellent anchorage to vessels of all classes. It is 

 studded with many islands, and hence the name. These 

 islands are of a very irregular figure, and destitute of vegeta- 

 tion. The bay has been surveyed several times by the French, 

 and we believe very thoroughly. It is ten miles from head to 



♦ The two islands that go by the name of New Zealand are situated between the 

 latitude 34* 22' 00" and 47° 25' 00' south, and between the longitude 166° 00' 00" and 

 180° 00' 00" east. 



