208 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



feet. Off the west end of Nuvera and in a line with Nuthila Point 

 there is a coral patch, which should deter vessels from passing too 

 close to the north side of the channel. It lies three-fourths of a mile 

 from Nuvera Island. On either side of it there is a passage, but the 

 south side should be preferred. 



Oandrou Islet lies in midchannel ; it is half a mile in circumfe- 

 rence, and has a coral reef surrounding it. It is a good mark for 

 sailing up and down the channel, and by steering for it a vessel will 

 keep in the deepest water. The soundings vary from 6 to 9 fathoms. 

 In beating in this part of the channel, a vessel should not go nearer 

 to the main shore than 4 fathoms. 



From Nuthila Point to Winn's Point the distance is 4 miles north- 

 east, between which the coast forms Murderer's Bay. It is useless 

 for vessels, the mud-flat extending half way into the main channel. 

 The town of Navendarra is situated at the bottom of this bay. Winn's 

 Point is rocky and elevated. 2 miles northwest from it lies Cocoanut 

 Islet, covered with cocoanut palms. This islet is 6 miles from Oandrou, 

 and bears from it northeast. From Winn's Point to Ravu-ravu Island 

 is 4 miles in a direct line northeast, but it is necessary to deviate from 

 it to pass the shoal off Nuvera, before spoken of. The coast here again 

 rises in hills from the shore : and instead of the mud-bank, a coral 

 reef bounds the shore, which begins about a mile east of Winn's Point, 

 and 3 miles from Vana Point. Off Vana Point coral patches again 

 appear in the channel and confine it to narrow limits ; these approach 

 within half a mile of Ravu-ravu Point. The Yande Reef lies directly 

 off Ravu-ravu Point : its outline has many indentations, and it is par- 

 ticularly irregular on the land side. The principal indentation is 

 opposite Ravu-ravu Island. This makes it necessary to pass close to 

 that island. When up with Ravu-ravu Island, that of Muthuata will 

 be visible, bearing east-by-north, distant 7 miles, and also the small 

 island of Nucumbati, due east4i miles. 



Ravu-ravu Island is situated off the tongue of land of the same 

 name; it is li miles long and three-fourths wide. It rises into 

 two conspicuous peaks, and forms the western side of Navutu Har- 

 bor. This harbor is quite small, much of its space being taken up 

 by the coral reef. The water is shallow, from 3 to 6 fathoms. The 

 anchorage is safe, and at the head of the harbor there is a small 

 stream of fresh water. The town of Navutu lies on the east side, 

 where the land is somewhat lower. The coast from Navutu trends 



