108 HAWAII AND OAHU. 



son. The latter is at present the limit of the whale-fishery within 

 the tropics to the west. I was desirous also of obtaining a knowledge 

 of the supplies it afforded for recruiting whale-ships, as well as making 

 an examination of some interesting monuments of the natives said to 

 exist there. 



The Peacock and tender were ordered from these islands to proceed 

 to the Northwest Coast of America, to rendezvous with the rest of the 

 squadron at the Columbia river, in the latter end of April. 



This cruise included the middle as well as the extreme western part 

 of the cruising-ground of our whale-ships. How far these intentions 

 were accomplished, will be seen when I come to treat of her opera- 

 tions. Captain Hudson's instructions will be found in Appendix VIII. 



The eastern section of this belt it was my intention to explore with 

 the Vincennes, after having visited and examined the volcanoes of 

 Hawaii, and made the pendulum observations on the top of Mauna 

 Loa. The unforeseen difficulties which occurred to prevent my carry- 

 ing out this plan will appear in the following chapters. 



The Peacock and tender sailed on the afternoon of the 2d of De- 

 cember, 1840. The tender, in leaving the harbour, took the ground, 

 and was detained several hours. Captain Hudson sent one of his 

 boats to her aid, and informed Mr. Knox that he would steer off on a 

 certain course, directing him to follow this after dark; I was, there- 

 fore, not a little surprised the next morning to find the Peacock in 

 sight, standing in, having missed the Flying-Fish in the night : we 

 telegraphed that the tender had sailed the evening before, and the 

 Peacock again stood off. We shortly after saw them join company, 

 and bear away on their route. 



CALABASHES. 



