212 LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 



ported having seen from the top of the Annan Islands, and also to 

 examine the offing for reefs. He sailed on this duty at ten o'clock 

 at night. 



At daylight on the 5th, the Vincennes got under way to proceed to 

 Mbua or Sandalwood Bay, with a moderate and favourable breeze. 

 I determined to take the outside passage off Kombelau Point, although 

 that usually pursued, which is close to the land, is considered the 

 safest. There is a reef off Kombelau Island, five miles in length by 

 two in width ; and beyond, and between it and the great Passage 

 Island Reef, there is a passage supposed to be full of shoals. I had 

 reason to believe, however, from the examination of Lieutenant Perry 

 and Mr. De Haven, that there would be no difficulty in taking the 

 ship through, which I accordingly did. This channel has shoals in 

 it, some with but a few feet of water over them, while others have 

 sufficient for any class of vessels. The least water we had was nine 

 fathoms. I believe we were enabled to locate all the shoals in it, 

 and I think it a safe passage. With the sun in the east, and steering 

 towards the west, the dangers are distinctly visible. After passing 

 through this channel, we kept the great reef in sight, sailing for Vuia 

 Point. When about half way to that point, we passed along a reef 

 a mile in length, lying four miles off the large island. The water 

 is so smooth within these reefs that it is necessary to keep a good 

 look-out from aloft, as the smaller ones seldom have any break on 

 them. 



Beyond Vuia Point the passage becomes still more intricate, and 

 opposite Rabe-rabe Island it is quite narrow, though there is ample 

 water for any vessel. We, however, went briskly on, having a fine 

 breeze from the eastward. After getting sight of the Lecumba Point 

 Reef, there is but a narrow channel into the bay, which we reached 

 at half-past 3 p. m. The Peacock had just arrived from the north 

 side of Vanua-levu, and anchored. 



Mbua or Sandalwood Bay, though much filled with large reefs, 

 offers ample space for anchorage. The holding-ground is excellent, 

 and the water not too deep. The bay is of the figure of a large 

 segment of a circle, six miles in diameter, and is formed by Lecumba 

 Point on the east and that of Dimba-dimba on the west. The land 

 immediately surrounding it is low, but a few miles back it rises in 

 high and picturesque peaks. That of Corobato is distinguished from 

 the Vitilevu shore, and has an altitude of two thousand feet. The 



