A Monograph of Mairiis Island. 79 



and west. No breakers were visible, extending anj- great distance, 

 from either end ; its width was not ascertained. The position of 

 the west end, by set of sights, was 24" 24' N., 153° 58' E., or twenty 

 miles northward of the reported position of Weeks Island." 



The U. S. Survey Ship Tuscarora, which made cable sound- 

 ings across the Pacific in 1874, to which I will subseqently allude, 

 came close enough to the island to observe large black rocks on 

 the reef which fringed the shore. Commander Belknap states that 

 the island is about sixt}- feet high and appears when first seefi like 

 a forest of trees rising out of the water. He placed it in Lat. 

 24° 14', N., Long. 154° o' E., which agrees exatlly with observa- 

 tions taken by our party. 



Weeks Island, not unlike many others hereabouts, was origi- 

 nally a whaler's report, and by some is believed to be identical with 

 Marcus Island. However, it was later seen by Captain Gelett of 

 the Hawaiian Mission Ship Morning Star, and was located b}- him 

 in 24"^ 4' N., and 154° 2' E. He states that it was about five miles 

 long, densely covered with trees and shrubbery, with a white sand}- 

 beach, and a knoll near the centre rising about 200 feet above the 

 sea. He saw no signs of inhabitants, and noted that a reef ex- 

 tended to the north of it.' 



In an attempt to harmonize these varied and scattering reported 

 islands and reefs, all of which have been more or less confounded 

 with Marcus Island, one should not lose sight of the fact that they 

 were made mainl}' in the days of long sailing voyages, when slight 

 errors in the variation of the chronometer would tend to throw out 

 the longitude, to which strong and variable currents add another 

 element of uncertaint}'. In addition to which, since Marcus Island 

 is not far from a centre of volcanic activity, disturbances of this 

 ■character may have removed some reefs or islets below the surface 

 of the sea ; yet my observations of the flight of certain birds while 

 in the vicinity of the island leads me to strongly believe in the ex- 

 istence of an island some fifty to seventy-five miles to the north 

 and east of the island of Marcus. 



' still farther to the north are given: Wake's Island in Lat. 31° 14' N., I<ong. 155° o' E. (A 

 whaler's notice). A A'e^/'in 31° 18' N., 153° 20' E. An Island in 3i°o'N., 147° 16' E. A Reefin 

 32° o' N., 147° 20' E. A Reef, announced by the China Mail Steamer, in 31° 30' N., 154° o' E. 

 Oan,s^es Reef in T,o° 4;j N., 154° 20' E., and other reports which are doubtless repetitions or 

 copies of one or the other of the above, making them too numerous to recount ; however, 

 suffice it to note thai the Commanders of the Pacific Mail Steamers do not believe in their 

 existence. Congress Jsland is given in 23° 30' N., 148° o' E. An Island in 26° 6' N., 154" 36' E. 

 3oth located by whajers. 



