CHAP, that was formed within them, and to search narrowly for an opening
into it. YY'hile the ship took one side of the island, the barge closely
examined the other, and we soon fonnd that the lagoon was completely
snrronnded by the reef. Near the centre of it there was a small island
covered with shrnbs; and towards the northern extremity, two sandy
islets a few feet above the water. The lagoon was in places fordable, as
far as the wooded island ; but, in other parts, it appeared to be two or
three fathoms deep. The reef is entirely of coral formation, similar to
Ducie’s Island, and has deep water all round it. Just clear of the breakers
there are three or four fathoms water; the next cast is thirteen fathoms;
then follow rapidly thirty fathoms, sixty fathoms, and no bottom at a
hundred fathoms. We found the south-western part of the reef the
highest, and the lagoon iu that direction nearly filled up as fin- as the
island with growing coral. There were, of course, no inhabitants upon
so small a spot; nor should we have been able to communicate had
there been any, in consequence of a surf rolling heavily over all parts
of the reef, and with such unequal violence that the treacherous smoothness
would one moment tempt a landing, while the next wave, as we
unfortunately experienced, would prove fatal to any boat that should
hazard it.
Lieutenant Belcher was sent to ascertain the depth of water round
the Island, with permission to land if unattended with danger; and
Mr. Collie accompanied him, 3\Ir. Barlow being midshipman of the
boat. Pulling round the island, they came to a place where the sea
appeared tolerably smooth, and where in the opinion of the officers a
landing might be effected. The boat was accordingly anchored, and
Messrs. Belcher and Collie prepared to land, veering the boat into the
surf, and jumping upon the reef. They had half filled two life-preservers,
with which they were provided, when Mr. Belcher observed
a heavy roller rising outside the boat, and desired the crew to pull and
meet it, which was done, and successfully passed; but a second rose
still higher, and came with such violence that the sitters in the stern
of the boat were thrown into the sea ; a third of still greater force
carried all before it, upset the boat, and rolled her over upon the reef,
where she was ultimately broken to pieces. Mr. Belcher had a narrow
escape, the boat being thrown upon him, the gunwale resting upon CH.AP.
his neck and keeping him down ; but the next sea extricated him, and
he went to the assistance of his companions; all of whom were fortunately
Dec.
182.5.
got upon the reef, except one young lad, who probably became entangled
with the coral, and was drowned. The accident was immediately perceived
from the ship, and all the boats sent to the assistance of the
survivors. But the surf rolled so furiously upon the shore as to occasion
much anxiety about rescuing them. At last a small raft was
constructed, and Lieutenant YEainwright finding no other means of
getting a line to them, boldly jumped overboard, with a lead-line in
his hand, and suffered himself to be thrown upon the reef. By this
contrivance all the people were got off, one by one, though severely
bruised and wounded by the coral and spines of the echini.
Mr. Belcher had here another escape, by being washed off the raft,
his trousers getting entangled in the coral at the bottom of a deep chasm.
Fortunately they gave way, and he rose to the surface, and by great
effort swam through the breakers. Lieutenant YY’ainwright was the last
that 5vas hauled off. To this young officer the greatest praise is due for
his bravery and exertions throughout. But for his resolution, it is very
doubtful whether the party would have been relieved from their perilous
situation, as the tide was rising, and the surf upon the reef momentarily
increasing. In the evening we made sail to the westward,
and on the 27th saw Crescent Island; and shortly afterwards the high
land of Gambier's groupe.
Both these islands w-ere discovered by Captain YY"ilson during a
missionary voyage, but he had no communication with the natives.
The first was so named in consequence of its supposed form ; but in
fact it more nearly resembles an oblong. It is exactly three miles and
a half in length, and one and a half in width, and of similar formation
to Oeno and Ducie’s Islands. It consists of a strip of coral about a
hundred yards or less in width, having the sea on one side and a lagoon
on the other. Its general height is two feet above the water. Upon
this strip several small islands, covered with trees, have their foundation.
The soil, where highest, reaches just six feet above the sea ; and
the tops of the trees are twenty feet higher. YY"e saiv about forty
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