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APPENDIX. 
GAMBIEE ISLANDS. 
This group consists of eight high islands, surrounded by coral islands and reefs, enclosing 
a lagoon, in which there are several secure anchoring places ; but the lagoon has many knolls, 
which render necessary a good look-out from aloft, and even the precaution of keeping a 
boat ahead. As the islands aiford only a supply of water, the anchorage under Mount DulF 
is the most desirable. 
The best channel to enter by lies on the eastern side of the group, to the southward of 
all the coral islands; and with Mount Dulf bearing N. 39° W., true, in one with the south 
tangent of the easternmost high island. With these marks steer boldly over the reef, upon 
which there is in this part six fathoms water, and pass close to the southern extreme of 
the island, before in one with Mount Dulf. Then keeping a boat ahead, proceed under 
easy sail for the anchorage, about a quarter of a mile south of Mount Duff, the peaks 
bearing about north, true ; but do not attempt to go to the northward, as aU that part of the 
lagoon is full of reefs and knolls. In this situation a ship will be abreast of two streams of 
good water ; but there will be some difficulty in procuring it, on account of the ledges 
of coral which surround this and all the other islands. As the ground is rocky, it is 
advisable to use a chain cable. There are several other anchorages, and water may also 
be had at the north-eastern island, but this appears to me to be, on the whole, the most 
convenient. 
There are also other passages over the reef; and the islands lying to the south-east may 
be passed on either side, but those which I have recommended are the best and most convenient 
for navigation with the trade wind. Tlie western channel must not be attempted, and all the 
south-western part of the group should be avoided as dangerous. The best passage to sail 
out at bears about S., true, from Mount Duff, the eastern bluffs of Peard Island, upon 
which Mount Duff is situated, in one. This mark will lead over the bar in six and a 
quarter fathoms. Though this channel lies to leeward of the group, there is generally a 
very heavy swell upon the reef; and it would not be advisable to attempt it in light winds, 
as there is no anchoring ground outside ; and the swell and the currents, which sometimes 
run strong, might drift a vessel upon a shallow part of the bar, either to the eastward or 
westward of the channel, upon which the sea breaks heavily in four fathoms, and outside 
which there is no bottom at eighty fathoms, within forty yards of the breakers. 
The plan which I have given of these islands must not be considered complete, as such 
a survey required more examination than I could bestow ; and there are, no doubt, many 
knolls of coral in the lagoon which we did not discover. A careful look-out from aloft is 
therefore absolutely necessary. 
It is high water here at Ih. 50m. full and change ; but a current generally sets to the 
westward in the day-time, and runs strong in the western channel, 
OTAHEITE, 
In clear weather the mountains of Otaheite may be seen ninety miles from the deck. 
The ports most frequented are situated on the north side of the island, and may be approached 
without difficulty when the trade wind is blowing. It, however, sometimes happens in 
the winter months that the trade is interrupted by breezes from the N. W. and W., and at 
