VAVAU. 89 



with a forest of cocoa-nut trees ; and, for a long while, with 

 the aid of our glasses, we were able to see the spire of the 

 Catholic Church. The air was delightfidly cool, a very 

 welcome exchange for the damp heat we had experienced 

 at our anchorage. We passed between Upolu and Savaii, 

 and coasted along two pretty islands, the one called Paluale, 

 the other, Manono ; the latter somewhat elevated, on which 

 were to be seen some dwellings and many cocoa-nut trees. 

 The island of Savaii appeared to much advantage in the 

 distance ; its coast, rather low, was set off by some hills, 

 which are probably ancient craters. Next day, about mid- 

 day, while bending our com-se south-west, we sighted 

 Boscawen or Cocos Island, a truncated cone of picturesque 

 appearance, 2,000 feet in height, obviously suggesting the 

 idea of its being a crater more or less ancient. Some time 

 afterwards, at thirty miles distance from Boscawen, and 

 within seven miles from the ship, we came in sight of a reef 

 of more than a mile long, with its huge breakers. On 

 sounding, we found a depth of six fathoms. This reef is 

 not marked on any of the Admiralty charts, though it was 

 upon an old chart in the Commodore's possession. We 

 next saw Keppel Island, much longer than Boscawen Island, 

 but also, at the same time, much lower. The following day 

 the wind freshened, and in the evening we could perceive 

 the island of Vavau in tlie distance. 



On July 13, the weather extremely fine, and the sea 

 beautifully calm, we came to anchor at Sandy Point, the 

 port of Vavau, at 10.30 a.m. in seventeen fathoms. The 



