256 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



of its western part is well determined ; it affords no more supplies 

 than the other two islands. 



NEDERLANDITCH ISLAND. 



This island was discovered by Captain Kotzebue, in 1825. It is in 

 shape a crescent, trending north and south 4 2 miles; its width 

 is less than a mile, with an elevation of 80 feet. It is not known 

 to be inhabited, nor whether anything can be procured there. 



SPEIDEN ISLAND. 



This island I am doubtful to whom to assign the discovery. It 

 was seen by the Peacock, and its true position ascertained. I 

 gave it the name of Speiden, after the Purser of the Peacock. The 

 Peacock did not succeed in getting sufficiently near it to make a 

 detailed survey, nor to ascertain what it produces, or whether it was 

 inhabited. 



HUDSON ISLAND. 



This island was discovered by the Peacock, Captain Hudson, in 

 March, 1841. It was .not found on any chart or among any of the list 

 of islands we had. It is one mile and four-tenths long, trending north 

 and south, and nine-tenths of a mile wide at the widest part. It has 

 no lagoon ; it is of coral formation, and is well covered with cocoanut 

 groves ; is inhabited, several natives and huts being seen on the beach. 

 Reefs extend from its north and south points nearly half a mile, on 

 which the sea breaks violently, which enables them to be easily 

 avoided. This island may be seen 6 or 7 miles from a ship's deck. 

 It differs from Sherson's or Torwell's Isle, in both latitude and longi- 

 tude, and were it not from the late determination, by several good 

 observers, of Gran Cocal, it might be probable that it has been often 

 mistaken for it. 



