T U T U I L A. 65 



On the 7th, we left Rose Island and stood to the westward, making 

 at sunrise the island of Manua, which is two thousand five hundred 

 feet above the level of the sea. It has the form of a regular dome, 

 rising in most places precipitously from the water to the height of 

 three or four hundred feet, after which its ascent appears more gentle 

 and even. It is sixteen miles in circumference, is well covered with 

 a luxuriant vegetation, and has many cocoa-nut groves on its north- 

 west side. 



On approaching it, Oloosinga was in sight, and shortly after Ofoo. 

 These two islands lie to the northwestward, at the distance of about 

 four miles. 



The boats were lowered, and sent to trace the shores of the island 

 of Manua, for the purpose of surveying it ; whilst the Vincennes and 

 the Porpoise passed on each side. 



This island is inhabited. The principal settlement is on the north- 

 west side, and there is anchorage for a small vessel near the shore, 

 where there is a cove to land in, with but little surf during the fine 

 season, or from April to November. It has a shore-reef of coral, and 

 the soundings extend off some distance, eight fathoms being found four 

 hundred yards from the shore. 



Some large blocks of vesicular lava were seen on its northeast 

 point, but the general structure was a conglomerate of a drab colour, 

 in horizontal strata ; yet the beach was of light-coloured sand, formed 

 by a mixture of coral and shells. 



Our arrival off Manua was opportune. According to the statement 

 of one of the brothers of the king, who spoke a little English, hostili- 

 ties had been threatened between the " missionary" party, and the 

 " devil's men." A native missionary, resident in the island, had already 

 prevented a battle, by telling them that if they wished to fight with 

 each other they must first kill him. Through his influence and exem- 

 plary conduct, peace had hitherto been preserved. It was stated that 

 several " very bad" white men were on the island, and that they made 

 " plenty of fight ;" but that on seeing " mannawa" (man-of-war), they 

 had gone into the " bush." 



Eight of these men had deserted from an English whaler, whose 

 boat they had stolen. Three of them came alongside of us next day, 

 clad after the manner of the natives, and were very anxious to be taken 

 off the island. 



The canoes of these islanders were the best we had seen. They 

 are built of a log, having upon it pieces fastened together, to raise 

 them sufficiently high. They are thirty or forty feet long, and are 



VOL. II. F2 9 



