SOMU-SOMU. 159 



Perry and Mr. De Haven to continue their work along the immense 

 coral reef, which nearly forms a junction between the two large 

 islands. 



Levuka was reached at 2 a. m. ; here I found H. B. M. schooner 

 Starling, Lieutenant Kellet, consort of the Sulphur, Captain Belcher, 

 on a similar duty with ourselves. Lieutenant Kellet informed me 

 that the Sulphur, in going into Rewa, had struck on some coral 

 lumps in the north passage, and lost her rudder ; and the object of 

 Lieutenant Reflet's visit was to obtain aid, or new pintles for that 

 ship. As those of the Vincennes were thought to be too large, I at 

 once ordered a boat to be manned, and sent under charge of Lieu- 

 tenant Underwood to Mbua Bay (seventy miles), to the Peacock, 

 for the purpose of obtaining those belonging to that ship. It afforded 

 me great pleasure to be of service to any of Her Majesty's ships, and 

 knowing how important it was to have prompt and efficient aid, there 

 was no delay. I had the pleasure of a few hours' conversation with 

 Lieutenant Kellet, but as my appointment with the Porpoise rendered 

 it necessary that I should meet her at the town of Somu-somu, on 

 the island of Vuna, I was soon obliged to leave Levuka for the 

 eastern part of the group. In the mean time, I obtained my return 

 meridian distances and the night observations. 



Before I left Levuka, Seru, Tanoa's eldest son, paid us another 

 visit, and brought some hogs and other provisions, as a present. 

 On this occasion, his conduct towards Mr. Vanderford was not what 

 it should have been, for he appropriated some of that officer's property 

 to himself. I regret I did not learn this until some time afterwards, 

 for I had no opportunity of speaking to Seru again ; but I sent him 

 word that his conduct was not approved of, and he must not take 

 such a liberty again. 



Orders were left with Lieutenant Carr to despatch Lieutenant 

 Underwood and Passed Midshipman Sand ford, with two boats, to 

 survey the islands of Ambatiki, Nairai, and Angau, all of which are 

 in sight from Ovolau. 



At five o'clock the next morning we were under way, in the tender, 

 with two boats of the Vincennes in company, and crossed over to 

 Wakaia, where I left Passed Midshipmen Knox and May to survey 

 that island and Mokungai, with their reefs. Here I fixed a station, 

 and observed, with the theodolite, on the distant signals. I then 

 made an endeavour to get out of the reef, but the weather looking 



