VITI GROUP. 



1S9 



high craggy peak at the head of the harbor, 500 feet higher than the 

 land by which it is surrounded. 



To enter it, pass through the reef near Storm Islet, which is a good 

 guide for the passage : due south of this is the entrance to Sawau. 

 The distance asunder of Point Leavett and Dobbs, is not over one- 

 fourth of a mile. This harbor enlarges after passing these points, and 

 extends to half a mile in width, and a mile in length ; the soundings 

 decrease from 12 to 4 fathoms. At the head of the bay there is a 

 wide shore-reef, with three small islets situated on it ; through a 

 break there is a passage for boats to the shore. The coral reef else- 

 where is narrow. Around the harbor water and wood may be ob- 

 tained in plenty, and the usual supplies that are to be found in this 

 group. Anchorage is in 4 J to 11 fathoms. 



Elliott's Harbor lies on the west side of 'Mbenga ; it is three-fourths 

 of a mile wide at its entrance, and enlarges till it becomes nearly a cir- 

 cle, one mile in diameter. Immediately off the harbor there is a coral 

 patch, which is directly in the way of vessels seeking the harbor : 

 either side of it may be taken ; to the west, one and a half miles dis- 

 tant, there are also several small ones, which must be avoided. The an- 

 chorage is in deeper water than Sawau, — from 13 to 20 fathoms. On 

 the left of the harbor stands the village of Y'some, with a white sandy 

 beach in front of it, off which there is a large coral patch, and between it 

 and the beach a small vessel may anchor. Supplies may also be had here. 



Stuart's Island lies off the southwest point of 'Mbenga, a mile 

 distant ; it is one and a half miles in circumference, and high ; has a 

 reef around it, and two small patches on its northwest side. The 

 channel between it and 'Mbenga is clear. 



Namuka lies to the westward of 'Mbenga, 7 miles, and is at the 

 western bight of the reef: it is II miles long, north and south, by one 

 wide. Anchorage may be found near Namuka, but there is no harbor; 

 it has a very narrow coral shore-reef. Namuka is of considerable height, 

 and of volcanic formation ; it contains about 100 inhabitants, who are 

 very friendly, and disposed to trade their provisions, &c. Bird Island 

 is a small, low island, two miles north of Namuka : it has a reef 

 around it ; the island and reef being It miles in circumference : it is 

 covered with foliage. 



The Madono Reef is the largest outlying reef: it is situated 2 miles 

 to the westward of the west side of the 'Mbenga Reef, and is 3 miles in 

 length, by half a mile wide, trending northwest and southeast. Dye's 



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