102 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, that was formed within them, and to search narrowly for an opening 
into it. While the ship took one side of the island, the barge closely 
Dec. examined the other, and we soon found that the lagoon w'as completely 
surrounded hy the reef. Near the centre of it there was a small island 
covered with shrubs ; and towards the northern extremity, two sandy 
islets a few feet above the water. The lagoon was in places fordable, as 
far as the w oodcd island ; but, in other parts, it appeared to be two or 
three fathoms deep, 'hhe reef is entirely of coral formation, similar to 
Ducie’s Island, and has deep water all round it. Just clear of the breakers 
there are three or four fathoms water ; the next cast is thirteen fathoms ; 
then follow rapidly thirty fathoms, sixty fathoms, and no bottom at a 
hundred fathoms. We found the south-western part of the reef the 
highest, and the lagoon in that direction nearly filled up as far as the 
island with growing coral. There were, of course, no inhabitants upon 
so small a spot ; nor should we have been able to communicate had 
there been any, in consequence of a surf rolling heavily over all parts 
of the reef, and with such unequal violence that the treacherous smooth- 
ness would one moment tempt a landing, while the next wave, as we 
unfortunately experienced, would prove fatal to any boat that should 
hazard it. 
Lieutenant Belcher was sent to ascertain the depth of water round 
the island, with permission to land if unattended with danger ; and 
Mr. Collie accompanied him, Mr. Barlow’ being midshipman of the 
boat. Pulling round the island, they came to a place where the sea 
appeared tolerably smooth, and w here in the opinion of the officers a 
landing might be effected. The boat was accordingly anchored, and 
Messrs. Belcher and Collie prepared to land, veering the boat into the 
surf, and jumping upon the reef. They had half filled two life-pre- 
servers, with which they were provided, when Mr. Belcher observed 
a heavy roller rising outside the boat, and desired the crew to pull and 
meet it, which w’as done, and successfully passed ; but a second rose 
still higher, and came w ith such violence that the sitters in the stern 
of the boat were thrown into the sea ; a third of still greater force 
carried all before it, upset the boat, and rolled her over upon the reef, 
w here she w as ultimately broken to pieces. Mr. Belcher had a narrow' 
