274 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



east and west, and 7 miles in width. The lagoon is 7 miles in length 

 by 2 in width. This island is inhabited, and is situated in latitude 

 5° 50' north, and longitude 162° 23' west. An opening is reported 

 on its west side, through which the tide flow r s. The Palmyra an- 

 chored on a bank near its northwest side, in 20 fathoms, on a sandy 

 and coral bottom, three-quarters of a mile from the island. 



The Porpoise sighted this island, and found the position assigned 

 it correct. It is low, and cannot be seen over 10 or 12 miles in 

 fine weather. Water and fruits may be obtained in small quantities. 



It is to be regretted that all these detached islands should not be 

 visited by our national vessels, and friendly intercourse kept up with 

 them. The benefit and assistance that any shipwrecked mariners 

 might derive from their rude inhabitants, would repay the time, 

 trouble, and expense such visits would occasion. 



NECKAR ISLAND. 



Neckar Island was discovered by La Perouse, in 1786. It is half a 

 mile in circumference, and rises perpendicularly from the sea to the 

 height of 350 feet. Against it the sea beats with violence, so as to 

 make landing impracticable. It may be seen in fine weather 15 

 miles. According to our observations, it lies in latitude 23° 34' 40" 

 north, longitude 164° 42' 40" west. Variation was determined to be 

 11° easterly. Soundings extend 2 miles from it to the eastward, in 

 from 13 to 34 fathoms. 



FRENCH FRIGATE SHOAL. 



This was also a discovery of La Perouse, in 1786. On its north- 

 western extremity there is an islet, composed of sand, from which rise 

 jagged rocks 150 yards in diameter, to the height of 100 feet above 

 the level of the sea. The north point of this shoal lies in latitude 

 23° 45' north, the south point in latitude 23° 34', and the east side 

 in longitude 165° 59' 15" west. The bank extends in a west-north- 

 west and east-southeast direction, 15 miles. 



