The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-20
4 MYSTERY OF
TEE PACIFIC
United States HydTograDhic
Office preparing to Search
for a Lost Island.

One whole island has disappeared from
the Pacific ocean, and a party of otIi-
Gals from the United States photographic
Office are about to start out in search
of it. If it has entirely disappeared from
the surface of the globe they desire TO
wipe it off the maps and charts II it has
simply changed its location or if the posi-
don assigned to it has been the wrong
one they will correct the mistake What
ever may be the explanation the case as
it now stands is a mystery, one of the
greatest mysteries Of the year, and they
propose to solve it before they return.
The little body o. land that has OF late
been the cause OF so much discussion IN
naval and shipping circles has long been
known as Morrell Island. For years 1t
mas occupied a place upon all WelI-coh-
structed maps, and many seaman VINO
has sailed the Pacific has tales to tell OF
this little island that has been seen rear
ing its rocky headlands far out IN the
great ocean.
To-day, however, there are many re
ports on file that specifically state that
certain ships have sailed directly over the
spot where the island was supposed to De
located ard have seen no trace OF IL AS
the result geographers are puzzled. ana
while the general opinion is that me Island
mas ceased 70 exist, the Navy Depart
ment has decided TO settle the matter oiice
and for all. An expedition IS 20 De sent oul
next month fully equipped 10 soNe the seo-
graphical puzzle. What the result VIII De
IS a matter of interesting conjecture
The history of Morrell Island mas always
heen. somewhat a romantic one. II has long
had its place on the charts and mas oeen
reported as sighted again and again, Dul
in captains. logs it has always been CUES
ton whether or not it mad any actua!
existence. While not generally known, II
is admitted in Official circles th2t there are
undoubtedly a number OF lsiandS charteo
! on the mars which exist only upon paper
MAP OF PACIFIC
The sailing vessels that first explored
tha Pacific were manned by small crews
and carried aboard them the most imper-
foct of thermometers. In addition TO TINS
their Investigations were post caresessiy
made. For instance. on many occasions
they did not even stop when they came
in the vicinity of land, but simply recorded
in the imperfectly-kept log book the fact
that the vessel had sighted an island OF
such and such proportions and the latitude
and longitude in which the skipper ina
sined that ne was sailing II that time
Another fact that has tended 10 make
the Pacific chart more Inaccurate than
that of the Atlantic is that mirages more
frequently appear in these waters Captain
Davenport, of the Hyd-ographtc 0fhce, does
not hesitate to express his belief that
manS of the Pacific Islands that are now
charted will yet turn out TO have been
nothing more than mistakes Of vision on
| the part of careless navigators. This seems
10 be the opinion Of other prominent naval
officials VINO also admit that it Is pos
sible that such mistakes might happen
even to-day. as it is the custom OF the
| Photographic Office TO chart any Island
| for the existence of which there is the
smallest possibility of fact and then to
investigate the reliability of the report
| at the earliest possible moment
/ The case of Aorrel! Island IS somewhat
| different, as there is more reason to be-
] lieve that at some time it existed in the
| Pacific The island was discovered and
| reported by Captain Norrell, Of the waal-
! ing schooner Tartat. more tfan seventy
! FIVE years ago, and since that time Il
! has been regarded as one OF the posses
| sions of the United States
!. According to. Captain Morrell the island
/ was first sighted in % degrees 81 minutes
| north latitude and ia degrees 81 minutes
east longitude He described the Island as
! being eStremeIy fat except on the sousE
i coast. where a Elish rocky cliff faced the
1 north bound vessels. At some points tne
i land was SO low that the water must have
i entirely covered it at high tide. Extend
ing around it were reefs for about nteet