4()0 HONOLULU. 



been saved by the natives, and were purchased by the owner of the 

 Currency Lass, who arrived on the 3d of August. This purchase 

 was made in a most extraordinary manner, and by way of showing it, 

 I have inserted the bill of sale in Appendix XIX. Some flour, cord- 

 age, canvass, and clothing, which had been seized by some natives 

 from Lakemba, had been recovered ; and a portion of the oil had also 

 drifted on the weather islands of the Feejee Group, and had there 

 been secured by the natives.* 



An anchor, chain, and smaller cable, with the main-mast, were still 

 on the reef. The Shylock struck on the northwest side of the reef, 

 which is detached, being two and a half miles from the island, with 

 a clear passage between them. The reef is of an elliptical form, six 

 and a half miles long, by three and a quarter wide, and has heavy 

 breakers on all sides, forming a lagoon, with some narrow boat- 

 entrances on the northwest side. The current was found setting 

 five-eighths of a mile per hour to the east. 



Vatoa, or Turtle Island, as determined by the Porpoise, lies in lati- 

 tude 19° 50' S., longitude 178° 37' 45" W. It was found to be three 

 miles long, by one and a quarter miles wide. The reef extends all 

 around the island, and is from one and a half to two miles wide. The 

 island contains about fifty inhabitants, who have native missionaries, 

 and are Christians ; they have but a scanty supply of food, and no 

 water is to be obtained. 



The Porpoise now made sail for Vavao, the northernmost of the 

 Friendly Islands. On the 29th, they passed the islands of Lati, Too- 

 fona, and Koa. The first and last have high conical peaks, while 

 Toofona is comparatively low. The latter is the only active volcano 

 here, and is said to be in almost constant action ; smoke was seen 

 issuing from it. The cooper of the Shylock, who was put on board 

 the Porpoise, landed on it from the boats on his way to Vavao. He 

 describes its whole surface as being covered with cinders and lava. 

 When off the island, he saw the volcano emitting to some height 

 columns of flame and smoke. 



Both Lati and Koa have also the appearance of having craters, 

 particularly the latter, the summit of which is cleft. 



On the 1st of September, at daylight, they found themselves in 

 shoal water, the bottom being distinctly seen, and the lead gave but 

 fifteen fathoms depth. This proved to be an extensive shoal, lying to 



* This was an additional proof that the current sets the same way as we experienced 

 in May last. 



