204 ARRIVE AT MAURITIUS. [1846. 



The position of Coco Island was determined to be in 

 Lat. 16 48' 50" S., Long. 59 81' 48" E., Dip. 50 

 11'. Var. 7 54' 12" W. 



Our duties having been completed, we were heartily 

 rejoiced at taking leave of this very uninteresting group. 

 Our detention here had been attended with most harassing 

 duties, crew constantly wet, landing on the detached 

 islands difficult, as well as hazardous, and nothing but 

 being close under the lee prevented our being constantly 

 under close-reefed top-sails, and experiencing very un- 

 pleasant weather. 



As the great object at present was to perfect our 

 Meridian distance, all sail was carried to reach the Mau- 

 ritius, which we made on the 24th, and running between 

 the Gunner's Quoin and the northern point of the island, 

 soon sighted the Mag of Rear Admiral Dacres (the Com- 

 mander-in-Chief at the Cape station) flying on board 

 H.M.S. ' President '. Our number made, and permission 

 requested to enter the harbour, the steamer shortly took 

 us in tow, and by 5 o'clock, we were safely moored 

 within the ' President ', with the ' Snake ', Captain Brown, 

 on our beam. 



