242 HAWAII. 



to the height of these mountains occurs when they are first viewed 

 from the neighbouring sea. This is more particularly the case when 

 the weather is clear ; and the impression was hardly removed from 

 my mind even after the fatigue and labour encountered during our 

 visit to Mauna Loa. I still could not help wondering how they could 

 possibly be as high as I had found them by actual measurement. 



In addition to the information regarding the Hawaiian Group, 

 which has fallen naturally under one or other of the preceding 

 chapters, several miscellaneous matters attracted our notice, which 

 require to be spoken of before we take our final leave of them. 



Mr. Coan obliged me with the following account of the influx of 

 the sea at Hilo, on the 7th of November, 1837. A similar occurrence, 

 it will be recollected, took place at the island of Tutuila, in the 

 Samoan Group. 



At about seven o'clock, p. M., the sea at Hilo was observed to retire 

 far below its usual low-water mark. In a few moments afterwards 

 the water returned in a gigantic wave, rushing to the shore with 

 great velocity, and breaking upon the beach with a noise like a peal 

 of thunder. All the low grounds in the neighbourhood of the beach 

 were instantly submerged, and a large number of houses were swept 

 away. So sudden and unexpected was the catastrophe, that many 

 of the inhabitants were engulfed in the flood, and compelled to 

 struggle for their lives. The sea remained upon the land about 

 fifteen minutes, wdien it retired beyond the line of low water, and 

 after a short interval, returned again, but with less violence. It 

 afterwards continued to vibrate for a time, gradually decreasing at 

 each oscillation, until it attained its usual level. 



The scene of distress which this phenomenon produced was great. 

 Hundreds of natives were at a meeting near the sea-shore, when the 

 wave rushed upon them, and left them struggling amidst the wreck 

 of their worldly effects. Some of them were carried to sea, while 

 others were dashed upon the shore, surrounded by the fragments of 

 their houses, which had been broken to pieces, together with the 

 timber, frames, calabashes, &c. 



Cries of distress came from all sides, as well from those who were 

 strug-oflinsf for life, as those who had come down to their relief. 

 Parents were rushing to and fro, looking for their children, husbands 

 for their wives, children for their parents, each inquiring for the 

 other, with wailings and hallooings. The whole, combined with the 

 loud roar of the sea, rendered the scene one of thrilling interest. 



