PAUMOTD GROUP. 



101 



season, for in summer, gales from the west not unfrequently occur, 

 blowing very heavy, with rain, interrupting the course of the trades, 

 an overcast sky often prevails, rendering it impossible to obtain the 

 usual observations for latitude. 



A vessel desirous of passing through the group, will find the 20th 

 parallel most free from dangers, and can continue on it until reaching 

 longitude 141° west, when a direct course to Tahiti may be steered : 

 on either side of this parallel, north or south, Whitsunday and 

 Carysfort Island may be sighted, in 138°, and afterwards Teku or 

 Barrow Island on the south, and Nganaiti or Byam-Martin on the 

 north, and farther to the westward Heretua or Archangel and St. 

 Pablo : all of these can be seen from seven to ten miles. 



The next route is on the paralled of 18° 30' south, making the 

 Island of Clermont de Tonnerre in 136° 30' west longitude ; passing by 

 Serle Island, and steering direct for Hau or Bow, then pass Dawhaidia, 

 or the Two Groups, to Tahiti. The only dangers on this route are 

 the Buyers ; but I think their existence is very doubtful : the space 

 where they are situated, I have every reason to believe has been 

 passed over frequently, though having no knowledge of absolute 

 search having been made for them, they are retained on the chart. 



The next route is on the 15th parallel, sighting Henuake or Honclen, 

 whence a due course may be steered for Aratica or Carlshoff, or the 

 north end of Taiara or King's ; thence passing to the north of Kawahe 

 or Vincennes, to the east of Toau or Elizabeth and Niau or Greig 

 Islands to Tahiti. 



I have already spoken of the route by the Disappointment Group 

 of islands. These are the routes to be pursued with a favorable 

 wind ; but it frequently becomes necessary for vessels to pass through 

 this group, when bound to the northward or southward. Vessels com- 

 ing from the North Pacific, for instance, from the Sandwich Islands, 

 rarely can get so far to windward as this group, and if they could, 

 would seldom wish to take the risk, and would not desire to be 

 subjected to a navigation so beset with dangers. When bound 

 from the north, I would recommend making Nairsa or Dean's Island, 

 and passing through between it and Tikehau or Krusenstern's, as 

 being the most safe and advisable to follow. If it is desirable to cut 

 the group more to the eastward, Ahii or Peacock Island may be 

 sighted, and the passage between Nairsa and Arutua taken. If still on 

 a more eastern meridian, I would recommend passing between Raraka 



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