TARAWA N, OR KINGS MILL GROUP. 



200 



times the winds blow strong and squally from south-southeast to 

 north-northeast, with lightning and rain ; the weather generally is 

 pleasant. From the information derived from the whites, who had 

 resided several years on these islands, it was ascertained that the 

 westerly monsoon prevails from November to February, and heavy 

 gales are experienced during that season, though they are not fre- 

 quent. 



If vessels should be drifted to leeward of this group by the currents, 

 in order to regain their situation they ought to work to windward 

 under one of the larger islands, by which means they will avoid the 

 current and gain their point much sooner than by making long 

 boards. It would seem, however, that westerly currents do not 

 always prevail during the year, for Captain Duperrey, when he visited 

 these islands, in the month of May, 1824, experienced a current 

 setting past the southern islands of this group, north-northwest ; near 

 the middle of the group, to the north, and at the northern end it was 

 found to set to the north-northeast. 



TAPUTEOUEA ISLAND. 



This island has heretofore borne the name of Drummond. Several 

 might be designated as the discoverers. It seems to be due to Captain 

 Bishop, but in what year I have not been able to ascertain. It 

 was surveyed for the first time, by the Expedition, in 1841. It is 

 of coral formation, 30 miles long in a northwest and southeast direc- 

 tion, and varies in width from half to three-quarters of a mile, which 

 includes only the area above tide, a few feet above the level of the 

 ocean. The reef extends off its western side, or to leeward, to the 

 distance of 6 miles, and forms a large lagoon ; but to the north it 

 joins the island, forming sand-banks and detached reefs, seldom at a 

 greater distance than a mile from the shore. 



The island is but sparsely covered with eocoanut and panclanus 

 trees, and is totally destitute of undergrowth and grass. The shore, 

 for its whole extent, is almost one continuous village. 

 , Off the town of Uteroa there is a good anchorage on an extensive 

 bank, in 15 fathoms water, with a sandy bottom. The small sand- 

 island off the town of Uteroa lies in latitude 1° 14' 00" south, and lon- 

 gitude 174° 53' 00" east. The Peacock's anchorage was with the north 



