128 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Apia Harbor requires few directions for entering. In coming from 

 the eastward, Matafongatele Point will be readily known by its exten- 

 sive grove of cocoanut trees, resembling that of Point Venus, Tahiti. 

 If there should be any vessels in the harbor, their masts will be 

 seen above the grove. When abreast of the town, Apia Hill, having 

 the appearance of a double crater, will bear south (true), then haul 

 close around the eastern reef, and stand in for the big tree, near the 

 Fale-tele or council-house, which will carry you along the edge of 

 the reef until it turns abruptly to the east ; by clewing up all before 

 reaching it, a vessel will have headway enough to fetch a berth in 

 5 2 fathoms water (sand and mud), convenient for getting wood and 

 filling with water ; the reef protects a vessel partially from the swell 

 of the sea. 



From April to December the anchorage in Apia Harbor is quite 

 safe, and will accommodate several vessels conveniently ; but from 

 December to March, vessels are very much exposed to the prevail- 

 ing winds from the north, often blowing strong, and accompanied 

 by a heavy sea, from which the reef offers little or no protection. 

 Owing to the quantity of water discharged by the creek, and the 

 current setting round the bay from west to east, a vessel is kept 

 riding head to the stream and in the trough of the sea, rendering her 

 situation extremely unpleasant from heavy rolling. She will seldom 

 swing to her anchors, unless during heavy puffs of wind, and rides 

 with little strain upon the cables. 



The harbor of Apia is about a mile in length, northwest and south- 

 east, by a third of a mile wide, and the depth of water varies from 5i 

 to 12 fathoms. The position of our observatory was near the mouth 

 of the creek, for which the longitude is given. 



The roadstead between Laulii and Latonga is the next anchorage 

 to the east, 3 2 miles distant from Apia, which offers protection to a 

 vessel. It may be known by the rocky bluff which separates the two 

 towns, for which it is necessary to steer when entering, and on dis- 

 covering the town of Laulii, a vessel may bring it to bear south, and 

 steer in for it, passing along the western edge of the sea-reef, and to 

 the westward of the two coral patches, behind which there is good 

 anchoring ground in the fine season, in from 7 to 11 fathoms water, 

 coral sand ; but during the bad season, it would be advisable to anchor 

 as far up the bight of the reef as possible, in 5 to 7 \ fathoms. Wood 

 and water can be obtained at either town, though the landing at 



