186 ENTER CORAL HAVEN. 



appeared like fields of unripe grain. We saw few 

 natives, the opposite, or southern shore, being pro- 

 bably that chiefly inhabited. Close approach to 

 Piron Island was prevented by a second barrier 

 reef, which we followed to the N.N.W- for several 

 miles beyond the end of the island, anxiously looking' 

 out for an opening into the fine expanse of pale blue 

 water seen to extend to the southward as far as the 

 large south-east island.* At length an opening in 

 the reef was observed, and the ship hauled off and 

 hove to, while Lieut. Yule examined it in one of his 

 boats. In the afternoon the Bramble having made 

 the signal " passage clear but narrow," was directed 

 to enter, and we followed her through a fine opening 

 400 yards wide, and were immediately in soundings, 

 which 111 fathoms of line had failed to procure 

 only a short distance outside. After standing to 

 the southward for two miles we anchored in 15 

 fathoms water. The name of Coral Haven was 

 bestowed upon this new harbour. We remained 

 here all next day, during which the natives in their 

 canoes came off" to the Bramble, and one or two of 

 the boats away sounding, but woiild not venture to 

 approach the ship. 



June 16th. — The ship was moved in one and a 

 half miles to the southward, towards the land, and 

 anchored in ten fathoms, close to a reef covered at 

 high water, and about a mile distant fi-om a small 

 bank of dead coral and sand ; the former of these 



* This is 4 1 miles long, and 1 0^^ in greatest width. 



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