2 EXPEDITION OF THE “ALBATROSS,” 1899-1900. 
the deepest sounding we obtained thus far in the unexplored part of the 
Pacific through which we were passing. From that point the depths varied 
from 2883 to 2699 and 2776, diminishing to 2583, and gradually passing 
to 2440, 2463, and 2475 fathoms, until off the Marquesas, in lat. 7° 58’ S., 
long. 139° 08’ W., the depth became 2287 fathoms. It then passed to 1939, 
1802, and 1040 fathoms in lat. 8° 41’ S., long. 139° 46° W., Nukuhiva Island 
being about twenty miles distant. Between Nukuhiva and Hounanu Point, 
Ua-Huka Island, we obtained 830 fathoms, and five miles south of Nukuhiva 
687 fathoms. When leaving Nukuhiva for the Paumotus we sounded in 
1284 fathoms about nine miles south of that island. These soundings seem 
to show that this part of the Marquesas rises from a plateau having a depth 
of 2000 fathoms and about fifty miles in width, as at Station 29 we sounded 
in 1932 fathoms. 
Between the Marquesas and the northwestern extremity of the Paumotus 
we occupied nine stations, the greatest depth on that line being 2700 
fathoms at Station 31, in lat. 12° 20’ S., and long. 144° 16’ W. The depths 
varied between 2451 and 2527 fathoms, and diminished to 1208 fathoms 
off the west end of Ahii, and then to 706 fathoms when about sixteen 
miles N.E. off Avatoru Pass in Rangiroa atoll. 
We developed to a certain extent the width of the Paumotu Group 
plateau by a line of soundings in continuation of the direction of Avatoru 
Pass, extending a little less than nine miles seaward, where we obtained a 
depth of 819 fathoms. Subsequently we ran a similar line normal to the 
south shore of the lagoon of Rangiroa, a distance of nearly twelve miles, 
into 897 fathoms. 
Between Rangiroa and Tikehau, the next atoll to the westward, we 
obtained a depth of 1486 fathoms. 
Between Tikehau and Matahiva six soundings were made, with a depth 
of 488 fathoms half a mile from shore, and a greatest depth of 850 fathoms 
six and one half miles from Tikehau. The slope approaching Matahiva. is 
steeper than the Tikehau slope. 
From Matahiva to Makatea (Aurora) Island, we made six soundings: 
from 624 fathoms about two and one half miles off shore to 581 fathoms 
about one and one eighth miles off the west side of the latter island, the 
