BOW DITCH ISLAND. 
19 
to be sent round its east end, in order to complete the work in the 
least possible time. In the afternoon, the Peacock anchored in Apia 
Harbour. 
Many minor things at Apia had changed, after an absence of fifteen 
months. Much of this w T as to be imputed to the different season of 
the year, it being now the rainy season; and from this cause, the luxu¬ 
riance of growth had enveloped every thing in a sprightly green, that 
embosomed the village and white walls of the new church, of which 
the foundation was just laid at our former visit. 
The day of their arrival was the Samoan Sabbath, and all was quiet 
and peaceful. Some of the officers landed in the afternoon, and were 
greeted by many of their old friends. 
The improvements, beside the church, were a store and dwelling- 
house, built by Mr. Cunningham, Her Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Con¬ 
sul, who is likewise about erecting a saw-mill. The church is a very 
creditable building, and quite neat in its appearance, with walls of 
stone, and roofed after the native fashion. Near by are deposited the 
bones of the lamented missionary, Mr. Williams, and of Mr. Harris, 
which were brought here from Erromango by H. B. M. sloop Fa¬ 
vourite, Captain Croker, who himself has since fallen in his endea¬ 
vours to forward the missionary cause. 
The missionary brig Camden, which had just returned from a cruise 
to Raratonga Island, was at anchor in the harbour. 
As this w\as the season of bad weather, Captain Hudson made every 
arrangement to meet it ; for the harbour of Apia is somewhat exposed 
to both the sea and the north wind, from which quarter it is said to 
blow most violently. 
On the 12th of December preceding, they had experienced there a 
violent hurricane, which had blown down many trees, and done a 
great deal of damage to the fruit. 
We are indebted to Mr. Cunningham for some observations on this 
storm, which are as follows. 
On the 12th of December, 1840, they had light winds from the 
southeast, the upper strata of clouds flying from southwest. The 
wind continued to increase until the 16th, when heavy squalls were 
experienced from the northeast. At 2 a. m. the wind was very heavy 
from the southeast, accompanied with rain, and some houses were 
blown down; at half-past two, the gusts were very heavy from the 
south-southeast. The barometer, although an injured one, fell as low as 
24 in., its ordinary standing being 28 in.; the temperature was 88°. 
At 6 a. m., the wind again rose with rapidity, blowing down houses 
and trees, stripping them of their leaves, which filled the air in all 
