<• 
Mindful of the fate of the Saginaw* we left Midway shortly after 
daybreak one morning* and at ten were in sight of Ooean Island* It nay 
be noted here that careful observations made by Lieut*—Commander King* 
located the atoll a number of miles east of its charted position* while 
a current seemed to hasten our approach to it* It is these factors un¬ 
doubtedly that explain part of the shipwrecks here including that of the 
Saginaw* 
The atoll at ^cean has a broad 
S 
open to the weather* w ith heavy surf breaking on two points of reef 
nearly a mile apart* We were somewhat puzzled by smaller breakers in the 
ohannels between* but these proved to be due to isolated ooral heads* 
After a Judicious study of the situation Commander King and 1 went over 
in the surf boat to prospect the channel. Though the passage, wholly 
unknown to us, appeared somewhat dubious it was passed without great 
difficulty and we found ourselves in the quiet water of the great lagoon 
with Green Island nearly four miles away* The afternoon was passing but 
we made a hasty crossing to it* located a camp site and then returned to 
the ship. On the following morning I landed with four men and a suitable 
out fit• 
So far as I know the island had not been visited by other naturalists 
so that our explorations were made with the keenest anticipation and delight* 
