SURVEY OF NORFOLK ISLAND. 315 
To return to the subject of the removal to 
Norfolk Island. 
Captain H. M. Denham, of H.M.S. Herald, in 
his " Hydrographic Notice of Islands and Reefs 
in the South- Western Pacific Ocean," written on 
Norfolk Island, 12th June, 1855, makes some 
interesting remarks on the place appointed as 
the future abode of the Pitcairn Islanders. 
" The passage from Sydney to Norfolk Island 
occupied eight days. Light baffling winds kept 
us four days within fifty miles of it. Our track 
all the way from Port Jackson was rendered as 
fruitful as possible, in regard to noting the cur- 
rent demarcation signs of the trade and variables 
on this route at this season of the year, together 
with such birds and fishes as present themselves. 
And by frequent casts of the lead to 200 fathoms, 
with a vigilant mast-head look-out, we satisfied 
ourselves that the way is clear of islands, or 
even growing-up dangers, over an ample radius 
upon every mile of the ship's track which our 
track-charts will display; the extent of night 
vision being distinguished from that day. 
" It had been published in the Sydney papers, 
as resulting from a cruise of the Torch, that the 
longitude of Norfolk Island was in error in some 
charts 68' ; and on my consulting the published 
books and charts during my passage thither, I 
found discrepancies which made me unusually 
anxious to clear up the point. Otherwise it was 
my intention to have passed well southward of 
the island to avoid the skirt of the south-easters, 
and so direct for the Rosaretta reef, and then 
take the start for Fiji ; experience having taught 
