HONOLULU. 40 1 



the southwestward of Vavao. A few hours after, they passed over 

 another shoal, and were in nine fathoms ; but the shoal was of much 

 less extent. 



At noon they took a white man, as pilot, on board, and passed into 

 the fine bay of Vavao, called Port Refuge. In going in, they passed a 

 large number of rocky islets, uninhabited, and of volcanic formation. 

 The pilot informed Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold that there 

 were still five of the Shylock's crew on the island, the rest having 

 been taken off by H. B. M. sloop Favourite, bound for Sydney. 



The Porpoise anchored in twenty-seven fathoms water, in the outer 

 harbour of Port Refuge. This harbour is an extensive and beautiful 

 sheet of water, studded with many islets with bold and steep shores; 

 there is little tide, and no concealed dangers. They were boarded 

 by a canoe, which showed a printed document in Tongese and Eng- 

 lish, containing the regulations of the port ; among them was one pro- 

 hibiting the introduction and sale of spirits, and another fixing the 

 fees for pilotage, and other services. 



The inner harbour is completely land-locked, and on its shores the 

 village is situated, which is of considerable size, with a large native 

 mission church, and a good parsonage-house. The town, as well 

 as island, looked desolate, from the effects of the severe hurricanes, 

 of which they have had for several years a succession. The houses, 

 fences, trees, &c, were many of them prostrate and going to ruin. 

 Few natives are to be seen, and those are only the old, decrepit, and 

 very young; for all the warriors had accompanied King George to 

 Tongataboo, to carry on the war against the Devil's party. 



Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, and his officers, visited the 

 mission, and found the parsonage exceedingly comfortable and well- 

 arranged, exhibiting' a strong contrast to the devastation and ruin of 

 the native huts and houses. The Rev. Mr. Thomas is the resident 

 missionary. A printing-press is established here. 



The missionaries from Tonga had lately made their escape, in H. 

 B. M. ship Favourite, from the seat of war. The report of the death 

 of the commander of the Favourite, Captain Croker, which I had 

 heard at Somu-somu, was confirmed ; and apprehensions appeared to 

 be entertained that King George and his forces, or the Christian 

 party, would have to abandon their attempt to reduce the Devil's 

 town, and force the inhabitants to become Christians. 



The natives of Vavao were equally good-looking with those of 



VOL. III. 101 



