REPORT 



or 



AN EXPLORATION OF PEEL ISLAND 



BY C. F. FAHS, ASSISTANT SURGEON U. S. N. 



U. S. Steamer Susquehannah, 



June 18, 1853. 



Sir : I have the honor of reporting the result of the observations on Peel Island, made hy me 

 and the party under my charge, on the suhjects submitted hy you for investigation. The part 

 of the island explored hy us is the northern half, or that extending from Square Rock, in a cir- 

 cular direction, to a line running from a point about one mile to the westward of the Paps to 

 the eastern coast of Fitton's bay. We ascended all the highest peaks ; took their measurement ; 

 examined their formation, vegetation, and other objects of interest ; descended into most of the 

 narrow valleys ; penetrated the thickest jungle ; crossed the sloping plains on the mountain 

 sides, and carefully noted their soil, mineral and vegetable productions, sources of water, and 

 fitness for cultivation. Taking a general view of the island from the bay, or any other point, 

 the impression is created that the whole is so rugged and rocky that it cannot be rendered fit for 

 any use ; but this is entirely removed after carefully exploring every part of it, and you are not 

 only convinced that it can be cultivated, but that it is capable of supporting a large popu- 

 lation. The small portions that have been tilled' by the people living here, show that the 

 ground is highly fertile and productive. It is true, only the plains on the bay have, as yet, 

 been cultivated ; but there is no reason for doubting that great portions of the remainder will 

 be equally productive, for the soil is nearly the same everywhere. 



Near the entrance of Port Lloyd, a plain about a quarter of a mile wide commences, and ex- 

 tends in a northeasterly direction one mile. The bed of it is an ancient coral formation resting 

 on trap rock ; the soil is several feet thick, consisting of a dark vegetable mould, intermixed 

 with fine sand of disintegrated coral and marine shells. The greater portion is under cultiva- 

 tion, and yields abundant harvests of whatever is planted, with the least possible toil. From 

 this plain or valley the mountains gradually rise in the form of a circle ; at some parts the 

 ascent is sudden for 40 or 50 feet, giving the appearance of terraces ; then, again, plains from a 

 quarter to half a mile wide, sloping towards the summits, are formed until within 40 or 50 feet 

 of the highest peaks. On the northern and northwestern sides the mountain terminates in a very 

 abrupt and precipitous ledge of trap rock, which is washed by the waves of the sea. The first peak 

 on the northwest I have, for the convenience of description, named A ; it consists of trap rock, 



