190 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Sand Island and Shoals lie directly in the fair way, and with the 

 Whippy Harbor and Madono Reefs, form serious obstructions to the 

 navigation of the channel between the 'Mbenga and Vitu Levu Reefs. 



The western side of the 'Mbenga Reef has two passages through it. 

 Near the southern one is a large black rock, which is quite conspi- 

 cuous at low water ; this sea-reef is well-defined, and may be closely 

 approached. 



Three miles west of Nangara Point, the reef from the Vitu Levu 

 shore takes a sharp turn to the south, and extends 5 miles ; thence it 

 makes again for the shore in a bend towards the west : it encloses a 

 large area free from coral, and forms Whippy Harbor: this area is li 

 miles, on an average, in width. Its southern end terminates in a point, 

 towards the east. There are several boat-passages through it, on its 

 eastern side, but no ship-passage. The Whippy Harbor Reef is 

 one of the most remarkable conformations of coral in these islands, 

 extremely fantastic in its shape and trending ; in many places there 

 is good anchorage within it, in from 5 to 20 fathoms water. On the 

 western side, two and a half miles from the shore, there is a ship- 

 passage 200 yards wide, and through this a vessel may pass with 

 safety, and seek the inner harbor. This is a small bay, completely 

 sheltered from the sea and wind. Twin Island, situated off its 

 western point, forms a good landmark : after passing through the 

 entrance in the reef steer for it on the north course, 2^- miles. This 

 inner harbor is doubly protected by the outer and inner reefs, 

 and has good holding-ground, muddy bottom, with a depth of water 

 from 5 to 7 fathoms. Wood and water may be obtained in plenty. 

 Boats can cross the bar of the river at high tide. The town lies a 

 mile up the river or creek. 



The next harbor to Whippy is that of Granby ; it is 4i miles 

 to the west, but not so well protected as that of Whippy ; it lies open 

 to the southern swell; is a mile deep, and li mile wide. It can 

 only be used as a temporary anchorage : the passage in, is one- 

 third of a mile wide, due north. The best berth is with Beacon Islet 

 bearing east-northeast one-third of a mile distant, and Point Dunlop 

 south-southeast three-fourths of a mile, in 9 fathoms, black sand and 

 mud. The shore-reef of Granby Harbor joins that of Whippy. 



Eight miles west of Granby Harbor is Red Bluff. The land here 

 rises to the height of 2500 feet, and continues of nearly the same alti- 

 tude until reaching the harbor of 'Ndronga. 'Ndronga is 28 miles 



