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APPENDIX. 
which renders it necessary to keep close to the rock. Anchor in eight and a half fathoms 
about midway between the outer reef and the shore, opposite some cottages; and moor 
head and stern by fastening cables to the trees on shore, and carrying out the small bower 
close to the outer reef. 
To proceed to sea it is necessary to warp into the outer anchorage after the sea breeze 
has done in the evening, or very early in the morning, before it sets in, and push through the 
channel before the current makes strong. In all these entrances the current sets out in the 
daytime, sometimes at the rate of two or three knots, and rather sweeps over the reef to 
leeward. There is another entrance to Toanoa from Papiete, but that just described is the 
most convenient. 
The harbour of Papawa is not frequented, and as it cannot be entered without a pilot, I 
shall give no directions for it. 
PAPIETE. 
Two miles to the westward of Toanoa there is a harbour, called by the natives 
Papiete, capable of containing at least thirty vessels. The entrance is even narrower than 
that at Toanoa, being only three hundred and seventy feet in the clear, and has a bar with 
only four and a quarter fathoms upon it. The current here runs out faster than through the 
channel to the northward, and in blowing weather the sea breaks quite across. This is 
also a more intricate and dangerous channel than the other ; and the only way for a stranger 
to ensure safety is to moor a boat in the middle of the channel. There are no good marks 
for this spot ; but as a general remark keep about forty yards from the western extremity of 
two rocks, which lie eighty yards off the dry part of the eastern reef. These two rocks have 
only one and a half fathoms upon them, and generally break. There is another rock about 
sixty yards north of the eastern reef, but this lies out of the channel. On the western side of 
the channel there is a shoal with only one and a half fathoms water upon it, which extends 
midway between the dry reefs. From this description it is evident that a pilot is necessary 
for this port, and that the boats should be in readiness to tow or run out hedges as required, 
whether the pilot advises it or not. 
After the entrance is passed, steer S. by E., true, until the first rock on the inside, 
bearing S. E. by S. one-eighth of a mile from the eastern dry reef, is passed; then haul 
towards the missionary church and beat up to the anchorage between that shore, which may 
be approached within a half cable’s length, and the reefs which extend from the Moto, or 
low island, towards the S. W. These reefs will be seen, and may be approached as close 
as convenient. Another rock lies S. by W., true, 2000 feet from the entrance , but with the 
trade wind this will be weathered. 
If it be necessary, the Moto may be passed to the eastward ; but the channel is very 
narrow, and can only be safely navigated by a person acquainted with it. 
Papiete is a very convenient harbour in many respects, but it is subject to calms and 
much hot weather, in consequence of its being rather to leeward, and the trade wind being 
obstructed by woods of cocoa-nut trees. 
The tides in all these harbours are very irregular. It is generally high water at half an 
hour after noon every day, and low water at six in the morning. 
