204 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



to the southward. There is no entrance into the lagoon. There are 

 no dangers around or near this island which a good lookout and care- 

 ful management may not avoid. This island bears north-northwest 

 (true) from Kuria 40 miles. There are no refreshments to be obtained 

 here of any kind. 



TARAWA ISLAND. 



Tarawa has borne the name of Knox Island, Gilbert, Marshall's, 

 and Cook's, on the charts, but the whole constitute but one island, 

 and must be hereafter merged in it. This is one of the most impor- 

 tant islands of this group. It is a low coral lagoon island, in shape 

 somewhat of a right-angled triangle. Its base trends east and west, 

 13 miles, the hypothenuse northwest and southeast, 20 miles, and 

 the perpendicular north and south 18 miles. It lies due north from 

 Maiana 19 miles. 



On the southern and eastern sides of the island the land is con- 

 tinuous, with the exception of five places, which are separated by the 

 usual washed reef, from which circumstance it is probable that they 

 have been deemed separate islands, for at a distance they appear 

 like distinct islands, with hummocks. The reef on the western side, 

 for a great part of its length, is sunken, giving the lagoon rather the 

 appearance of an extensive bay. Soundings were found upon it as 

 deep as 5 fathoms, of sand and coral, which gradually increased on 

 passing to the east, or within its boundaries. Within the lagoon 

 there are very many knolls of coral and sunken patches. Good an- 

 chorage may be found within ; but it would be better to seek it 

 near the north or south ends, where a vessel would be more pro- 

 tected by the reefs. From the north point the reef stretches out 

 nearly half a mile to the north, and another to the south, 3 miles, 

 which is visible ; the reef then becomes submerged. About 2 miles 

 south of this point the Peacock grounded on the reef for a short time, 

 but sustained no injury. The water on the west or lee side of the 

 island is usually quite smooth. 



This island is but moderately wooded, consisting of cocoanut 

 groves, the pandanus, and a stunted undergrowth. There are several 

 towns on the island, one of which is at the north end, and is built on 

 poles, partly over the water, some 7 or 8 feet high. It is thickly 

 inhabited; but the natives do not appear to have had much intercourse 



