296 CRUISE OF THE PORPOISE. 



longitude 151° 48' W., and latitude 11° 25' 43" S. It is of small 

 size, being only one mile and a half in length, from north-northwest 

 to south-southeast, and thickly wooded : high breakers extended off" 

 its point for some distance, and the surf was so high that it was 

 deemed impossible to land with a boat, which is to be regretted, as 

 these isolated islands are always extremely interesting. No inha- 

 bitants were seen. The current was found to be setting to the west- 

 ward. 



The next island searched for was one reported to have been seen 

 by Captain Cash. It was discovered on the 8th, and proved to be a 

 low sandy islet with a lagoon. It is well wooded, half a mile in 

 diameter, of oval shape, with heavy breakers surrounding it. Landing 

 was reported to be impossible, and no attempt was made. After 

 determining its position to be in latitude 10° 05' S., and longitude 

 152° 22' 30" W., they bore away for the position of Penrhyn Island. 

 Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold believed the island last spoken of 

 to be Staver's Island, and by this name it is designated on our charts. 

 At night the water was very phosphorescent : its temperature 78°. 



The Porpoise next passed over the supposed site of Teinhoven 

 Island, without seeing any signs of land, and thence northwest across 

 two positions assigned to Penrhyn's, examining particularly that 

 given by Captain Cash, in latitude 9° 58' S., and longitude 158° 

 14' W. No island, however, was seen. Proceeding further to the 

 northwest, they, on the 15th, discovered land, which proved to be 

 Penrhyn Island, about thirty miles west of its place on Arrowsmith's 

 Chart. It was of the usual coral formation, low, and densely covered 

 with trees, among which the cocoa-nut was the most conspicuous. 



The vessel stood off" and on all night, and on the 16th, at sun- 

 rise, canoes were discovered approaching the brig, in great numbers, 

 many of them large. At seven o'clock, two came alongside, and 

 others soon followed them. As the numbers of the visiters increased, 

 they became moi-e bold, and clambered up the sides, uttering loud 

 and savage yells. They were the wildest and most savage-looking 

 beings that had been met with, vociferating in a frightful manner, 

 and accompanying their exclamations with the most violent contor- 

 tions and gesticulations : they seemed frantic with excitement. These 

 natives were quite naked, except a few who had a small maro of 

 cocoa-nut leaves. 



The canoes contained from seven to sixteen men each, all equally 

 wild. The noise they made was almost deafening ; every individual 

 talking earnestly in a language not comprehended by our party. 



