NAUTICAL REMARKS. 
635 
REMARKS ON THE PASSAGE FROM THE SOCIETY GROUP TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
April %Qlh to May \Qth. 
In making the passage from the Society Group to the Sandwich Islands, the time of the 
year should be considered. Between the months of April and October the trade-wind is 
said to hang more to the eastward than at other times, and is consequently favourable to the 
passage; but it is advisable even at that season to cross the line well to windward, if possible 
between 145 and IdS”, as all that is gained in that direction will ultimately be of use. Be- 
tween December and April a more northerly trade may be expected, and consequently easting 
is of more consequence. The S. E. trade is not as regular as that to the northward of 
the equator. It generally blows at E. or E. N. E., and vdien the sun is to the southward 
of the equator it is sometimes interrupted by N. and N. W. winds. These should be 
taken advantage of in order to get to the eastward, even at the expense of a few miles of 
latitude, until well advanced to the northward, and until the N. E. trade is fallen in with. 
The Blossom left Otaheite on the 26th of April, 1826, and crossed the equator on the 
9th of May in long. 150" 01' W. From the time of sailing the winds were light from the 
E. and E. N. E , but sometimes veered to N. E. and N. ; with these wm tacked and en- 
deavoured to gain easting, but did not succeed as we wished. We kept the easterly wind to 
the lat. of 4 ’ N. and long. 149“ 47' W., when the N. E. trade met us ; it commenced with hard 
squalls and rain at N. E. by E., at which point it continued with scarcely any variation ; and 
we had as much wind as would allow us to carry conveniently courses and double-reefed top- 
sails, and latterly topgallant-sails, until we made Owyhee on the 18th, about forty miles due 
west of us. We now felt the advantage of being well to windward, and keeping the same 
distance in order to ensure the sea breeze throughout the night, made Mowee the following 
morning, and the same night arrived close off Diamond Point (Woahoo). 
The current from Otaheite to the equator set to the W^. N. W"^. from ten to thirty miles 
per day, at an average rate of sixteen and a half miles per day. From the equator to the 
fourth degree N., when we met the N. E. trade, it ran N. N. E. fifteen to twenty-three miles 
a day, averaging eighteen miles a day, after which it ceased entirely. On our arrival off 
Owyhee the current from leaving Otaheite had set N. 54° W. 164 miles, or 7.1 one mile 
per day. 
REMARKS ON THE PASSAGE FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS TO AWATSKA BAY, KAMSCHATKA 
June lx< to 2^th. 
This passage was very favourable, both in regard to wind and weather, and occupied 
only twenty-seven days. On quitting Oneehow, instead of keeping within the tropics for the 
advantage of a fresh trade-wind, I endeavoured to pursue the 30th or 31st parallel down to 
19P or 192“ W.; and then to avail myself of the westerly winds, said to prevail there, in 
order to get to the northward. 
Quitting Oneehow, I passed to the north-eastward of Bird Island, and the chain of reefs 
situated near the French Frigate’s Bank, and then bore away west. We kept the tradeAvind 
with but one interruption, until in latitude 29“ 46 N. and longitude 185° TV”., which was on 
the 10th day of our departure ; here the wind veered to the S. and S. S. W., and continued 
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