74 T U T U I L A. 



Oloosinga having made war upon them, and killed the natives off. 

 There is a small and comparatively low islet off its western end, near 

 which there is an anchorage. After sunset we bore away for Ttituila, 

 which can be seen in fine weather from these islands. 



The temperature in the passage from Tahiti to the Samoan Islands 

 had increased from 77-6° to 81-11° in the air ; and that of the water 

 from 796° to 81-6°. 



As it was my intention to make a thorough examination of this 

 group, I resolved, in order to accomplish it in the least possible time, 

 to divide the squadron, so as to put all the remaining islands under 

 examination at the same time. The island of Tutuila being the most 

 central, and from the information I had obtained, the best position for 

 my astronomical observations, I selected it for the Vincennes. That 

 of Upolu was reserved for the Peacock and Flying-Fish when they 

 should arrive ; and in case of their being detained longer than I anti- 

 cipated, I should be ready to take up the survey of the latter, or assist 

 in completing it. The Porpoise was ordered to examine the island 

 of Savaii ; and one of the naturalists, Dr. Pickering, was directed to 

 join her, for the purpose of exploring the interior of the island during 

 her operations in its vicinity. Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold 

 was therefore directed to land him for the purpose, and take him on 

 board when the survey should be concluded.* 



On the 10th of October, we had light winds, in consequence of 

 which we did not reach Tutuila that day. At daylight on the 11th 

 Ave were near its eastern end, and off the island of Anuu. 



About eight miles to windward of the harbour of Pago-pago, we 

 were boarded by several canoes, in which were some natives, with a 

 Avhite man by name William Gray, whom I retained as interpreter 

 during our stay here, and found of much use. 



The island of Tutuila is high, broken, and of volcanic appearance. 

 It is seventeen miles long, and its greatest width is five miles. The 

 harbour of Pago-pago penetrates into the centre, and almost divides 

 the island into two parts. It is less varied in surface than the Society 

 Islands ; and its highest peak, that of Matafoa, was found to be two 

 thousand three hundred and twenty-seven feet above the sea. The 

 spurs and ridges that form the high land are like those of Tahiti : 

 precipitous, sharp-edged, and frequently rise in mural walls from the 

 water to a height of three or four hundred feet, showing the bare 



* For orders, see Appendix V. 



