TONGA ISLES. 



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nient as that at Pangaimotu. The shore in places, except at that 

 island, is skirted by a coral reef, and offers many obstructions to 

 the landing in boats at all times but extreme high-water. Water at 

 the island is obtained from springs, and is scarce. The island is beau- 

 tifully cultivated, and yields abundantly all kinds of tropical fruits. 

 Besides the harbor of Mariner's Bay, there is anchorage during the 

 fine season in Maria Bay, Van Diemen's Roads, where Tasman first 

 anchored, but they are neither of them secure. The tides at Tonga- 

 tabou are regular, the springs rising ordinarily 5 feet : the flood sets 

 southeast, and the ebb the contrary way ; high-water, full and change, 

 at 7 A.m. It is necessary to pay attention to them in entering and 

 leaving the port, as a contrary tide in the narrow passages renders 

 them more difficult to pass through. 



The longitude of this island appears to have had more determina- 

 tion made of it than any other island, except Tahiti, in the Southern 

 Pacific, having been visited by many of the most celebrated navigators 

 and expeditions that have been fitted out. 



Cook made the longitude . . . 184° 50' 18" W. 



D'Entrecasteaux made the longitude . . . 184° 46' 46" " 



D'Urville 184° 47' 00" " 



The Expedition in . . . . . 184° 49' 00" " 



I have given a chart of Mariner's Bay, which is as complete as our 

 time would admit of. 



Wood is difficult to be had, and is very dear if obtained from the 

 natives. 



This group of islands is frequently visited by severe hurricanes, that 

 do much damage ; these occur in the months of November, December, 

 January, February, and March ; it is then that the anchorage in 

 Mariner's Bay is much exposed, both to sea and wind ; the former is 

 said to beat at times very heavy on the shore. It may be as well to 

 avoid making a visit to these islands during these months. Myriads 

 of mosquitoes are the greatest annoyance in this bay ; they infest all 

 parts of the ship, and sleep is absolutely out of the question ; the 

 only way to free oneself from them is by anchoring some 3 miles from 

 the land. On the beach to the south of Pangaimotu the seine may be 

 drawn, and at times with great success. 



At the mouth of the Astrolabe Gut lies the small and wooded 



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