266 TYE AND SUALIB. 



avoid it, as there may be some coral knolls that might bring a ship 

 up. A current was found here setting to the north a mile and one- 

 eighth hourly. 



The next day the Duff Reef was examined, as well as the sea, for 

 about thirty or forty miles to the east of it, but no other dangers were 

 visible. The Duff Reef has an extensive sand-bank on it, and the 

 island of Vuna is plainly visible from it. 



The island of Yalangalala, which lies just to the westward of the 

 Duff Reef, has an extensive reef. It is uninhabited, and forms, with 

 Velerara, the southern side of the Nanuku Passage — the island of 

 Nanuku and its reef forming the northern side. This passage 

 between these islands is ten miles long ; the course through is 

 southwest. The islands to the north of this passage are small and 

 low, and surrounded by very large and extensive reefs. The most 

 northern of these are Korotuna and Nukulevu, both of which are 

 low, covered with trees, fertile, and have many inhabitants. 



Nukumanu and Nukumbasanga lie to the southward of these; 

 they are almost united by reefs and sunken patches of rock, which 

 extend to the Nanuku Reef, and round to Lauthala and Kambia. 



Too much precaution on the part of mariners cannot be used in 

 approaching this part of the group. Several times during the survey 

 the Porpoise was in great danger. The currents and tides are 

 irregular and much governed by the winds, and at times are found 

 running with great velocity through the various and contracted 

 passages. 



After making these examinations the Porpoise went to Tasman's 

 Straits, or to those to which I have assigned that name, under 

 the belief that they are those discovered by that navigator. They lie 

 between Vuna and Kambia. This strait was examined, and though 

 contracted, affords a safe passage. Although I was able to identify 

 Tasman's Straits, his Hemskirch I was unable to make out. There 

 is a fine harbour on the Vuna side called after Tubou the pilot, which 

 the brig reached on the afternoon of the 3d of July, having dropped 

 her boats the evening before to pass round Lauthala and Kambia. 

 The boats joined her previous to her entering the straits, having 

 passed the night in a small bight off the island of Kambia. 



Tubou Harbour is well protected except from the north winds ; it 

 is formed by an extensive reef and sand-bank. The 4th of July was 

 spent here, but not in festivity, for Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold 



