V I T I GROUP. 



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ruke Bay. This is the route, whether intending to anchor in the bay, 

 or to proceed further to the eastward. 



Ruke-ruke Bay is a deep indentation in the coast, two miles wide. 

 It is partly surrounded by high land, and has from 9 to 12 fathoms 

 water, muddy bottom. The only direction necessary is to bring 

 Wailea Rock (seen over the land) to bear east-by-north, true, when 

 the anchor may be dropped in any part deemed convenient as to 

 depth. 



On the south side of Ruke-ruke Bay lies Nucumung Harbor. To 

 pass within, you enter a narrow channel between the reefs off Point 

 Southworth, bearing from Sleepy Point south-by-west ; the points of 

 this reef are half a mile from the shore, and the channel is 400 yards 

 wide. In entering follow its lead, on a south course, and after having 

 passed the bluffs the harbor will open. It is lk miles in length by 

 half a mile wide. The shore is surrounded by a narrow coral reef, 

 and a thick growth of mangrove bushes ; the harbor is a very safe 

 one, and surrounded by fruitful valleys. Corobatoo Peak lies to the 

 south-southwest, on which is one of the fortified native towns. The 

 anchorage is from 4 to 6 fathoms in depth, muddy bottom. This will 

 be a very safe harbor for whalers to make repairs in, when the inhabi- 

 tants can be trusted ; the winds generally allow a vessel to sail in and 

 out of the harbor without difficulty. The reef that stretches across 

 Ruke-ruke Bay is 5 miles in length and half a mile wide ; it reaches 

 nearly abreast of 'Mbua Point, the entrance to the Monkey-Face Pas- 

 sage. Off 'Mbua Point there is an opportunity, if the outer side of 

 the reef at Suke Point should have been taken, of gaining the inner 

 passage. On coming up with 'Mbua Point the Island of Anganga 

 opens. It is oi miles distant, is high and rocky, trending nearly east 

 and west 51 miles, and forms the northern side of the Monkey-Face 

 Passage. A remarkable similarity of outline in the rocks of Ivaca 

 Peak to that animal, has caused the name to be given to the passage 

 between it and Anganga Island. From 'Mbua Point the coast trends 

 east-by-north 3i miles; it is high, and rising in places 470 feet per- 

 pendicular : the shore-reef extends off to a considerable distance. 

 Near a small town, half-way through this passage, fresh water is to 

 be had at a rivulet in abundance : groves of cocoanut palms are 

 growing around. Ivaca Peak rises to the height of 11 GO feet. In 

 sailing through Monkey-Face Passage, it is advisable to be ready to 

 shorten sail, for the wind not unfrequently comes down off the high 



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