68 ELLICE'S AND KINGS MILL GROUP. 



width, in a southeast and northwest direction : it is situated in lati- 

 tude 00° 56' 45" N., and longitude 173° 04' 15" E. On its west side, 

 on some of the banks, there is anchorage in from ten to fifteen fathoms 

 of water. 



On the morning of the 15th, they made the island of Apamama, 

 the Hopper Island of Duperrey, and the Simpson's Island of the 

 charts of Arrowsmith. It is about five feet above the surface of the 

 ocean ; is ten miles long, northwest and southeast, and five miles in 

 width, north and south. The land is continuous on the north and 

 east sides, excepting two small strips of bare reef. There is anchorage 

 on the west side in an opening between the reef and the northwest 

 point of the island, which is about two miles wide. The soundings 

 vary from two to five fathoms : across it, in some places, the bottom is 

 broken coral ; in others, it is coral sand. The entrance to the lagoon, 

 although feasible, should not be attempted through this passage ; but 

 there is a good passage into it on the southeast side of the island, 

 which is a mile wide. A survey was made of this island, and its 

 anchorages examined. The boats when ashore communicated with 

 the natives, who resemble those of the adjacent islands. There is a 

 large population on it, but it yields little more than will supply their 

 wants. A small quantity of fresh water may be had by digging on 

 the beaches : wood and refreshments are not procurable for shipping. 



This island is situated in latitude 00° 27' 21" N., and longitude 

 173° 57' 30" E. : it has heretofore been represented as two islands on 

 the charts, called on one Simpson's, and the other Hopper and Har- 

 bottle ; but there is only one, joined by the same reef. 



They next returned to Kuria or Woodle's Island. 



On the 16th, while engaged in the survey, some canoes came off 

 to the ship, when the natives came on board without hesitation, — 

 an evidence of their having had communication with ships, and 

 their confidence of good treatment. It was soon reported, that a 

 white man was coming off to the ship ; and, as in all such cases, 

 he was looked for and watched with great interest, and various 

 surmises were made relative to his origin and history. They were 

 not long left in doubt, for before he reached the deck, his voice be- 

 spoke him an Irishman. He was dressed in a pair of duck trousers 

 and red flannel shirt, and announced himself as " John Kirby, a 

 deserter from the English whale-ship Admiral Cockburn." He said 

 he had been on the island for three years ; that he was living with 

 the daughter of the principal chief; and solicited a passage to some 

 civilized place. 



