254 TYE AND SUALIB. 
After remaining for another day on account of the weather, Lieu- 
tenant-Commandant Ringgold concluded that he ought to rejoin the 
squadron at Muthuata, on account of his provisions becoming short. 
He therefore got under way and stood for Rambe Island. This is a 
lofty island, and very much broken; it is in full view from Somu- 
somu; is well wooded, with many deep bights or indentations ; one of 
these, on its southeast side, affords anchorage. There is a large settle- 
ment on its northwest side. Between it and Vanua-levu there is a 
passage, though it is much studded with reefs. The island of Rambe 
on the southeast, with Point Unda on the northwest, are the two boun- 
daries of the bay of Natava. 
After making some observations on Rambe, Lieutenant Comman- 
dant Ringgold stood over for Unda Point, and steered along the reef to 
the Sau-sau Passage. When the Porpoise entered this passage, she 
was boarded by Lieutenant Case, and came to anchor. From Lieu-. 
tenant Case, Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold received my instruc- 
tions of the 9th, and was furnished with a pilot. After supplying 
Lieutenant Case’s boats, he proceeded with the Porpoise through the 
channel, along the north shore of Vanua-levu, until he joined me off the 
island of Anganga, as before stated. 
It would have been desirable, at this time, to give all hands a rest, 
before undertaking this second examination. But, from the nature of 
the service, and working against time, as we were constantly obliged 
‘to do, I found it impossible, and particularly so now, as our provisions 
were at a low ebb, and we could not procure any nearer than the Sand- 
wich Islands, whither our supplies had been sent. 
On the 17th, we all got under way at daylight, having strong breezes 
from the southward and eastward. The brig was ordered to take the 
first cutter of the Vincennes in tow; we ran across to Yendua Island, 
through a large number of coral patches, whose exact locality it was 
impossible to fix. The whole is foul ground, and ought not to be at- 
tempted by ships. I felt that it was necessary for us to run the 
risk, but I would not advise any one to try this route, as there is a 
free and good channel lying in a direct line from Mbua Bay to 
Yendua. 
We passed through a narrow entrance in the reef into a very pretty 
harbour, which I have called Porpoise Harbour; its form is that of a 
large segment of a circle, about one mile and a half deep, and a mile 
in width. It lies open to the southeast, but has a double reef protect- 
ing it; the entrance is on the east side. This harbour was surveyed 
by the boats of the Porpoise and the tender. 
Yendua may be said to be divided into two islands, having a boat- 
