166 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Korotuna and Nukulevu, and those of Nukumanu and Nukum- 

 basanga is 10 miles ; this is clear of any reefs, and may be passed 

 through. 



Having described the islands and reefs of the eastern cluster or 

 group, I will say a few words relative to the four passages by which 

 vessels may sail safely through them. 



FULANGA PASSAGE. 



The Fulanga Passage is the most southern. It is bounded on the 

 east by the islands of Ongea, Angasa, Namuka, and Olenea ; on the 

 west by Fulanga, Moramba, Kambara, Enkaba, and Tubanaielli : the 

 course through is north 35° west. The two Ongea Islands are suita- 

 ble to make for a land-fall, having a care to avoid the coral sandbank 

 of Nuga Ongea, which lies to the southeast of the Ongeas ; those in- 

 tending to enter the Feejee Group at its southeastern extremity would 

 do well to pursue this course, especially if intending to touch at 

 Lakemba, which island affords the best point to gain information as 

 to the condition of the group, from the missionaries. I look upon it 

 as necessary for all vessels upon a trading voyage to obtain a correct 

 knowledge of the political state of the group. Then a friendly recep- 

 tion will always be met with, and vessels may procure either a foreign 

 or native pilot. 



On arriving off Ongea, and with daylight, I would advise this 

 passage being taken. The distance to Lakemba is but 60 miles after 

 entering the passage : this passage is 30 miles in length. The wind 

 will generally continue to draw up the passage. When the island 

 of Namuka bears east, and that of Olenea to the eastward of north, a 

 north course may be steered for Lakemba. Due regard must be paid 

 to an easterly set,- which is seldom less than half a mile per hour. 

 Should the weather on arrival off Ongea prove bad, or be doubtful in 

 its appearance, and having no intentions of stopping at Lakemba, I 

 would recommend passing to the southward of the Island of Fulanga, 

 and not enter the passage, but steer a course north-by-west, which 

 will lead 10 miles to windward of the Tova Reef, distant 55 miles 

 from Fulanga. If, however, apprehensions should be entertained of 

 passing to windward of so dangerous a shoal at night, I would then 

 recommend a west-northwest course for the Island of Moala, distant 

 75 miles. 



