150 SOMU-SOMU. 
the first cutter, were relieved by Lieutenant Perry and Mr. De Haven. 
Both boats received new crews, and proceeded to survey the reefs 
by Passage Island, and thence to Vanua-levu. I embarked in the 
tender on the 3d of June, and by night anchored off Mbua or Sandal- 
wood Bay, where I had appointed to meet the Peacock. We burnt 
blue-lights and sent off rockets, but received no answer, and in the | 
morning found the ship had not arrived. | 
I obtained sights on shore for the meridian distance, and stood into 
the bay to examine it. This done, I anchored a buoy, with a sealed 
bottle and flag attached to it, for Captain Hudson, containing further 
instructions. In consequence of the delays he had met with, he had 
not been able to reach the bay at the appointed time. I then returned. 
The passage back was rather more difficult to make, for the wind was 
ahead part of the way. In the afternoon, while beating up, although , 
we had Tom at the masthead, we grounded in the tender between two | 
coral knobs; but, the tide rising, we were soon enabled to get off, and 
towards evening we anchored under Rabe-rabe Point, which offers a 
safe shelter. All vessels navigating among these islands, should anchor 
during the night, whenever it is possible to do so. 
In the morning, at a seasonable hour, we reached Passage Island, 
where J met Lieutenant Perry and Mr. De Haven by appointment. | 
Here I extended their orders. Having acquired a further knowledge 
of the ground, and after observations for time and latitude, and a round 
of angles, we again set out for Ovolau, leaving Lieutenant Perry and 
Mr. De Haven to continue their work along the immense coral reef, 
which nearly forms a junction between the two large islands. 
Levuka was reached at 2 a. m.; here I found H. B. M. schooner 
Starling, Lieutenant Kellet, consort of the Sulphur, Captain Belcher, 
on a similar duty with ourselves. Lieutenant Kellet informed me that 
the Sulphur, in going into Rewa, had struck on some coral lumps in 
the north passage, and lost her rudder; and the object of Lieutenant 
Kellet’s visit was to obtain aid, or new pintles for that ship. As those 
of the Vincennes were thought to be too large, I at once ordered a 
boat to be manned, and sent under charge of Lieutenant Underwood 
to Mbua Bay (seventy miles), to the Peacock, for the purpose of 
obtaining those belonging to that ship. It afforded me great pleasure 
to be of service to any of Her Majesty’s ships, and knowing how 
important it was to have prompt and efficient aid, there was no delay. 
I had the pleasure of a few hours’ conversation with Lieutenant Kellet, 
but as my appointment with the Porpoise rendered it necessary that I 
should meet her at the town of Somu-somu, on the island of Vuna, I 
was soon obliged to leave Levuka for the eastern part of the group. 
eS ee 
