230 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



trade at. The natives are a wild and savage set ; and have had little 

 communication with whites : they are not to be trusted. 



The most northern harbor on the eastern side of Androna is Faliki ; 

 it is a mile wide by li in length ; it is formed by coral reefs, which 

 are bare at low water. The entrance is 1000 feet in width, and the 

 passage is one-third of a mile in length ; the depth of water is from 

 7 to 10 fathoms. A north and south course will carry a vessel 

 directly through the reefs and to the best anchorage. The small islet 

 of Paka lies on the west side of the harbor within the reef ; and 

 Ita Islet is off its eastern point. The reefs extend for a mile from 

 the shore, and are bare at low water. Water and such provisions as 

 the islands afford may be obtained here ; the natives are engaged in 

 fishing, and some tortoise-shell may be procured. In entering the 

 harbor, the western reef projects a quarter of a mile to the south of 

 the eastern ; the latter comes to a sharp point ; if a vessel is to enter, 

 care must be taken to haul up immediately on passing the point to 

 the course directed. Paka Island is easily distinguished, and is a 

 good mark for the harbor. 



The harbor of Korai lies one mile southwest of that of Faliki, 

 and is rather more conspicuous. At the head of it there are three 

 small coves ; in the centre one a considerable village is situated. There 

 is a coral reef around the shore, but a sufficient depth of water to 

 admit boats to land. This harbor also owes its existence to the 

 coral reef; it is li miles in length and half a mile wide. Its length 

 lies in a direction northeast and southwest, which is the course to 

 enter ; or, when the entrance is opened, steer for the centre bight, which 

 will take a vessel safely through the break in the reef ; its width is 1000 

 feet. The two points of the reef nearly overlap. After passing these, 

 the harbor opens, and there is plenty of room to manoeuvre a vessel. 

 Half a mile from the entrance, on the east side, there are two small 

 islets, which are called Pepe and Kiole. Between these and the 

 head of the bay is the best anchorage, in from 5 to 6 fathoms water, 

 muddy bottom ; this depth predominates throughout the harbor. 



Water may be procured and also wood. The land rises abruptly 

 into hills and is rugged. This harbor is about 2 miles from the 

 south end of Androna. It is the best ship harbor on the eastern 

 side of the island, but will be found at times difficult of egress on 

 account of the trade winds blowing here from the southward and 

 eastward. 



