The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-07-27
RETURN OF the EXPLORERS.

RETURN OF THE EXPLORERS.
The Iwalani returned yesterday,
with her excursionist party all safe
and sound, from the visit of explo-
ration to the island of Nihoa. So
far as seen by our reporter the party
have all been delighted with their
jaunt. At different landings on
Kauai the party was reinforced by
residents of that Island, causing the
steamer to be rather too crowded
for comfort during the final stage of
the trip out. Waimea was left at
half-past three in the afternoon, and
the objective island was sighted
about daylight the following morn
ing. Landing was effected about
eight O'Clock, in small cove be-
tween two promontories on the
southeast side. The operation was
not accomplished without much diff
Guilty and danger, and some damage.
Three boats were swamped upon
being lowered, and the natives
thrown into the water. They had
TO swim about among the sharks for
while before saving themselves.
Another boat was partly stove, but
about the worst mishap was the los
ing of Mr.. Williams Photographic
apparatus. This was unfortunate,
from its preventing the taking Of
views. A stay of eight hours was
made upon the island, which sufficed
for pretty full Investigations by the
Swans representing different depart
ments of science.
1t was found that the rocky islet
was about one and quarter miles
long and one.half mile wide. Rev.
S. E. Bishop made a survey, the re-
suits of which will be given in detail
when arranged. The topography of
the island presents the appearance
of a series of terraces, here and
there springing into peaks, the
highest of which is about 800 feet.
On the northeast and the opposite
sides the coast is bold, perpen-
dicular wall. Mr.. Dole made sketches
of the cliffs from the steamer at
approaches of twelve and six miles
respectively.
In the valleys and slopes Of the
south side an arabic soil supports
grass, weeds and sclubby vegetation
generally. A considerable grove of
palms was found in a healthy state.
Mr.. Jaeger, whose credentials were
to the vegetable kingdom, reports
that there was nothing in that domi-
Mon different from what thrives
abundantly on the larger islands.
Mr.. Dole, who represented orni-
thology, says there are nine or ten
species of birds on Nihoa, some OF
which are never seen here, although
none are strange to the rest of these
ATTITUDES. He has brought with him 6
large assortment of eggs. A species
of sea gull was so plentiful that it:
nests, beneath soft mounds, were
broken into at almost every step o.
the explorers. Unfortunately some
of the last to leave the island Sc
fire to the grass, and it was feared
much damage might result to tn
birds and their nests.
Unmistakable remains of human
habitation were discovered on tn
island. Mr.. Jaeger found skull i
a cave, and others elsewhere cam
across whole skeleton, within til
Uranium of which bird had mad
it's nest. There were the ruins of
stone building, wall in a fair stat
of preservation, upon mountai
slope. A rudely scooped ston
basin was also found, and it Wa
conjectured that an excavation {
the debris, that had fallen into til
enclosure of the wall above mel
toned, would reveal other relics {
past occupancy by man. There is
l tradition eXtant on Kauai that NATIVE
:, of the latter used formerly to cult
! vate potatoes and yams on Milo
i making voyages there to plant al
=, to gather the crops.
! When the time came to leave, eve
i more difficulty was experienced
+ the party in getting back to Il
i steamer, than in landing therefor
: the passengers having to jump fro
u the slippery rocks into the boats.
II ---
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