NORTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. 



283 



and south, and consists of a large number of islets, which are joined 

 by the coral reef. There are passages into the lagoon, some having 

 7 fathoms depth of water. The inhabitants are numerous and ap- 

 peared friendly. They have had frequent intercourse with the whites. 

 Supplies may be obtained. 



WAKE'S ISLAND. 



Wake's Island was discovered in 1796. It had been repeatedly 

 searched for, but not seen. In the Vincennes, we were fortunate 

 enough to discover it, by pursuing a route some 15 miles to the north 

 of that of Beechey. This led us directly on its parallel, and enabled 

 us to re-determine its position and make an accurate survey of the 

 island. 



Our observations were made on shore, placing it in latitude 19° 15' 

 north, and longitude 166° 30' east. It is a low coral Island, in shape 

 an obtuse triangle, its length or base lying east and west. The 

 length of its longest side is 4 miles, and that of the two others, 2 

 miles. Its south side has a narrow fringe of coral, while on the north 

 it extends upwards of a mile. Its vegetation is quite stunted, and the 

 island has the appearance of being at times submerged, which would 

 cause it to resemble an extensive reef rather than an island. There 

 are no inhabitants, but quantities of birds, and in the season, turtle. 

 There is no water, and the stunted growth does not afford any wood. 



WAKE'S BEEF. 



Wake's Reef, which is reported to lie some distance east of Wake's 

 Island, having been searched for without success, I have but little 

 doubt may have arisen from the appearance of that island at a time 

 when it was partly submerged, and through an error in the position of 

 the vessel, assigned a more eastern longitude. The position of Wake's 

 Reef is given in latitude 17° 40' north, longitude 172° 40' east. 



HALCYON ISLAND. 



Halcyon Island, I believe, has no existence. Two of the vessels of 

 the Expedition passed over its site, and on the same parallel on which 

 it is said to be, but saw nothing of it. The only supposition I can 

 offer for its existence being reported is, that it may have been Wake's 



