V I T I GROUP. 



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able to pass over the narrow part of the reef into the Vicuna Passage 

 at high water. 



The entrance to Vicuna Harbor through Vicuna Passage is very 

 narrow, so much so as to make it dangerous for even a small vessel 

 to attempt it, unless the water is verj smooth. It lies between Tilin- 

 githa Reef and that of Vicuna, and runs due south. After having 

 entered the passage, it widens, and a course steered for Tibethe 

 Point will carry a vessel through. At the distance of 2 miles, the 

 channel between Severacota Point and Vicuna Islet will be open ; 

 steer through it south-southeast, and anchor under Vicuna Islet in 

 from G to 9 fathoms water. 



Vicuna is low and marshy, situated on the southwest corner of 

 the Vicuna Reef; it has a large town on it, the natives of which are 

 quite friendly. The harbor extends into a deep bay to the west of 

 Ritithicumbue Point ; it has a shore coral reef around it, which 

 extends to Issingalossa Point, off which there is another coral 

 patch. The channel between Issingalossa Point and Vicuna Reef is a 

 mile wide, and the water increases to the depth of 12 fathoms, where 

 it joins Nucussa Harbor. Nucussa Point lies 2 miles to the eastward 

 of Issingalossa Point. Haycock Islet lies off Nucussa Point, where 

 the passage turns short to the north-by-west, and is a mile long, but 

 not over one-third of a mile in its narrowest part. It is a conve- 

 nient and safe entrance, and may be known by the remarkable 

 peak resembling a nipple which lies inland ; when this bears 

 south 50° east, and within a mile of the reef, the entrance will be 

 open, and Nucussa Point distinctly visible. To the east of this 

 entrance there are two deep indentations in the reef, which may be 

 termed false harbors : they must be carefully looked to, as they are 

 both quite small; the true Nucussa Passage is sufficiently distinguished 

 from these, as it is funnel-shaped, the reverse of these. The reef to 

 the westward of the Nucussa Passage extends to seaward beyond the 

 eastern side, and trends more to the westward ; by this also it may be 

 known. If Vicuna and Haycock Islets can be seen, there is no need 

 of further directions. The water in Nucussa Harbor is deeper than 

 it is in Vicuna. The best anchorage is between Haycock Islet and 

 Issingalossa Point. If farther security be desired, a vessel may pass 

 into Vicuna Harbor. These two harbors are easily entered, but they 

 are extremely difficult to depart from. The Vicuna Passage is the most 

 difficult to pass out of ; it is only fit for very small vessels, boats, or 



