The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-03-11
HONOLULU. HAWAIIAN
perfect and she is the most perfect sea boat there is

ahOat
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3D.-At daylight got under
way, and towed out of the harbor After getting
sufficient birth, religious exercises were observed
and We then bid adieu to friend Mr.. Snow and
his famy-saw them safely in their boat and
their way back, when we squared away for Covei's
Group. There is disagreement the charts of
forty-fye miles in the longitude Of this group.
THURSDAY. 5TH.-Last night We passed over the
position of island marked on Morie's chart
Hope lsland.'' 1t does not exist. 1t is calm and
We are carried along by the current only.
STH-At daylight passed Namarek, an island ly
ing in the Ralick chain 1t is a low coral island,
said to be inhabited At midnight hove to, supposng
ourselves to be in the vicinity of the Covel Group,
the southernmost island of the Ralick chain, where
Dr. Pierson intends to locate AT daylight discover
ed the group about three miles to the leeward BY
4 A. M there were seventeen canoes on to the ship,
manned by from FIVE to ten men each. Some OF these
men had been to Strongs Island, and on recognising
Dr. Pierson and others whom they had seen there,
they seemed transported with delight After break
fast the bell rung for prayers when Dr. Person told
the chief that we were going to pray, at which he
sprang up on the quarter-rail, and cried out in
stentoran voice, All keep still-all keep still-the
missionary is going to keep Sunday at which they
all kept silence till dismissed. DIR. Pierson
informed them that we were coming back IN about
two moons, when he and Mr.. Doane were coming to
live with them. breeze springing up, we squared
away for Pitts Island. For two days we had very
foul weather The 18th il cleared up, and we found
by observation that the had drfed us thirty
five miles due south. Pitts Island bore n. T. and
the wind being from that quarter, we squared away
for Apian it bearing s. E. by S. fifty, miles. During
the night of the 18th carried short SAIL and at Z,
A. NJ, land announced from masthead. We
stood along and doubled the s. w. point at noon.
From this point to the S. E. extremity Is sixteen
miles 1t is continuous reef dotted here and there
with small islets and through this reef Wilkes de-
scrbes passage leading into the lagoon. The wind
did not permit to get enough 10 see it, and at
sunset stood off shore. thought it best to give
Farana good berth ,supposng that if the wind failed,
the current would be likely to set on Danger
Reef, and this proved to be best, for after H. Md
night, it fell calm, and at daylight we found our
selves twenty-five miles to the leeward. All that
day we had light winds and soon land was in
sight. During Slturday nigh the wind hauled E.
S. E., and we stood into the r. E. till p. NJ Sun
day, when tackled S. supposing to head for
Mathews Island, for which we kept sharp lookout
during the night. At daylight Charlotte Island or
Apian bore s., which explained the of our not
seeing Mathews Island for again the current had set
ten miles west in 16 hours. The currents among
the Kingmls Group very conflicting Farther
north we had southery currents here it is west and
southwest, and one day we had current northwest.
Running close along the reef, saw the passage de-
scribed by Wilkes, and lowering away my boat,
went in to examine it, found anchorage off the
mouth of the passage and although the situation was
exposed, 1 made signal for the vessel to stand in,
thereby hoping to avoid being driven away again by
the current. Just at dark anchored in % fthoms
within stones cast of the breakers The tide was
setting out furiously, and the wind being N. E.,
tailed off shore, and lay snugly during the night
The next morning took boat and sounded out the
passage leading into the lagoon found % fathoms
low tide. Just inside the passage, l found many
rocks some at the waters edge but deeming the pas
sage feasible, and being very desirous get into the
lagoon, L determined to proceed. The wind being
fair at this time, and the shining bright,
made all haste to get under way. My first arrange
ment was get two anchors the stern, to which
we bent hawsers all ready for running. Supposing
that if the ship should suddenly encounter shoal,
as she did in Matalanm harbor, and the anchor
should be dropt ahead, she would and
ground upon it, and perhaps it, if not the rocks,
would make rent in her bottom, but if anchors
were suddenly dropt astern they would bring her up
in time, and danger of this kind be encountered
All being ready, weighed and stood in. As L
before observed, the shining bright, and it being
astern, could from the ore-topsail yard all the
dangers in my path. By nice infringement of the
helm, wound way along amid rocks and
shoals for two miles, when opened into beautiful
lagoon, the sight of which, caused my heart leap
for joy. Mr.. Bingham aloft with me, and
congratulated each other, and we had abundant
for gratitude to God, for this success; for to lay at
anchor off the reef, should be compelled to carry
his supplies in boats, five miles the lagoon,
whereas lay within about one-fourth of
mile from where he is building his house The bot
tom of the lagoon here is composed of beautiful white
coral sand. 1t is fifteen miles long, and five broad,
with coral patches scattered here and there all
through it. The site pitched upon for his residence,
will be described by himself, L will just add its
position found this morning by observation viz,
Apian Charlotte Island, lat lo 52 80" N, long.
174e OF 40@ Z.
ITO be concluded week.1