136 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



TUTUILA. 



Tutuila is the next island in importance of this group to Upolu, 

 and lies south 60° east, distant 40 miles. It is 17 miles in length, and 

 4h miles at its greatest breadth. Its surface is very much broken, and 

 exclusively of volcanic formation. It has many good harbors, and 

 one, without a parallel in the Pacific, Pago-pago, which is entirely 

 land-locked ; its entrance is on the south side of the island, and so deep 

 as almost to divide the island into two parts. The only objection to it 

 is the great depth of water, and the necessity of beating out, which is some- 

 times attended with danger, although I am not aware that any disaster 

 has yet occurred to the numerous vessels that now seek its shelter. 

 Its form is that of a retort, with high land, nearly perpendicular, on 

 either side. The town of Pago-pago lies at the head of the harbor, and 

 gives it its name. The situation of this harbor is readily known by 

 the Peak of Matafao, 2327 feet high, which rises just westward of the 

 entrance. The Tower Rock, on the left side, and the Devil's-own 

 Point, will be readily distinguished as the entrance is approached; the 

 first by its square and detached appearance, rising from the reef, and 

 the latter by the blackness of the rocks, contrasted with the green 

 foliage in the rear. 



To the southward of the entrance there is a coral bank, of nearly 2 

 miles in length, trending east-northeast and west-southwest, on which 

 the least depth of water is 4i fathoms : it is about a quarter of a mile 

 wide. It is w T ell to avoid passing over it, the swell being usually 

 heavy, though I am not aware that it actually breaks, except during 

 a storm. There are no dangers after this until within the Devil's-own 

 or Breaker Point. On the opposite side, off Blunt's Point, is the Whale 

 Rock : this should be carefully avoided ; there is only 8 feet on it at 

 low water. The sea breaking every few minutes, points out its situa- 

 tion, and it can be easily avoided in going in, the wind being fair 

 and generally fresh. Grampus Rock lies a little within the Whale 

 Rock, but on the opposite shore : it is but 600 feet from the reef. After 

 passing Breaker Point, by keeping Goat Island a little open on the 

 larboard bow, you will clear both the dangers. When up with Goat 

 Island, the harbor will be open, and a berth may be chosen, either 

 between Trading and Swimming Points, in 20 fathoms, or farther up, 

 in less water. It is advisable to moor here with open hawse to the east- 

 ward, as the wind not unfrequently blows fresh from that quarter 



