166
Wallis, and early the next morning were close to it. The
appearance of the island has been accurately described by its discoverer,
¡S26. present form and extent differ materially. At the S. E. angle
of the island we noticed a morai built of stones, but there were no
inhabitants upon the shore. In passing to windward of the island, the
current unexpectedly set so strong upon it, that the ship was for a considerable
time in imminent danger of being thrown upon the rocks,
and her escape is entirely attributable to the rapid descent of the coral
reef, wdiich at times was almost under her bottom. She, however, fortunately
cleared the reef, and was immediately in safety. After collecting
the necessary information, we steered for Bow Island, which was
seen from the mast-head at three o’clock the same afternoon.
CHAPTER VIII.
Boat sent to examine the Channel into Bow Island Lagoon—Unexpected Interview between
Tuwarri and his Brother—A Pearl Brig at anchor in the Lagoon—Mystery attached
to the Byam Martin Islanders dispelled—Their interesting History, extensive Wanderings
and Sufferings—Sequel of Tuwarri’s H istory—Ship enters the Lagoon—Description
of the Island—A short Account of the Natives—Visit several other coral Islands,
and discover Melville and Croker Islands—Remarks on the Discoveries of Cook, WalHs,
Carteret, &c.— Peculiarities of the coral Islands—Arrival at Otalieite.
Bow Island was discovered by M. Bougainville in 1768, and the
following year w’as visited by Captain Cook, who gave it its present name
from the resemblance its shape bore to a bow. Its figure protracted
upon paper, however, is very irregular, and bears but small resemblance
to the instrument after which it was named; but to a person viening
it as Captain Cook did, the mistake is very likely to occur. It is of
coral formation, thirty-four miles long, and ten broad; well wooded on
the weather side, but very scantily so on the other; and so low in this
half, that the sea in places washes into the lagoon. YVe sailed close
along what may be considered the string of the bow, while the barge
navigated the arch; and thus, between ns, in a few hours made the
circuit of the island.
Previous to quitting England, Captain Charlton, the consul at the
Sandwich Islands, among other useful matter which he obligingly communicated,
informed me of an opening through the coral reef of this
island into the lagoon; and as I was desirous, at this period of the survey,
of having a point astronomically fixed to correct the chronometrical