V I T I GROUP. 



211 



3 miles further north, and the whole distance of the projection is 6 

 miles. Kie is situated in the middle of this bight, and is free from 

 coral. There is a good passage through the reef, 2 miles west from 

 Kie; and two others hearing southwest, half a mile from the first. 

 These three are not as easily passed through as one 2 miles more to the 

 south and west : with the prevailing wind a ship may lay her course 

 through it, and not be subjected to make a tack, which it is desi- 

 rable to avoid, as a misstays in these narrow passages might bring 

 about disaster. Kie Island is 12 miles north of that of Muthuata ; 

 its latitude is 1G° 14' 20" south, longitude 179° 04' 30" east, From 

 the extreme northern bend of the Great Sea- Reef, off Kie, to the west 

 point of the Mali Passage, is 11 miles south G0° east. The reef itself 

 makes a sharp turn in this distance to the east ; there is no opening 

 in any part of it ; the sea breaks constantly upon it, and with vio- 

 lence. The reef on the west side of the Mali Passage is 4? miles in 

 length, while that on the east is but 2i miles. The passage gradually 

 narrows from its outer to its inner end, where it is half a mile wide. 

 The wind at all times does not permit a vessel to sail through it, 

 and frequently it becomes necessary to make several tacks ; this is 

 sometimes attended with danger. When the tide is flood, it sets with 

 some velocity on the lee reef, and care should be taken to avoid 

 being subjected to it. The ebb tide is the most suitable to pass out, 

 for then much assistance will be had in working ship on the weather 

 side of the passage, and in gaining an offing. There is no anchorage ; 

 the course through the passage is north 30° west, or south 30° east, 

 The weather reef should be hugged close. The direction for entering 

 the passage is, to bring the west end of Mali Island open with the 

 line of the reef on the east side, then haul up immediately for it ; and 

 after having passed through, a vessel may anchor in Mali Roads, in 

 13 fathoms, or pass on to the westward through Mali Bay, steering 

 south 30° west for Sac Point, which is 5s miles distant. Having run 

 3 miles on this course, and opened the south side of Mali Island, 

 Middle Reef will be passed, when keep off to west-by-south for the 

 centre of the Tiri Islet, a distance of 7 miles, which is free from any 

 shoals, except that running off from Gibson's Island to the westward. 

 This extends one mile, but it is not in the way of the direct course 

 pointed out. The channel between Middle Point and Gibson's is one- 

 third of a mile wide. 



The depth close to Middle Point is 8 fathoms, so that a vessel may 

 pass very near the shore without any apprehensions. 



