Capstan Rock.
Best anchorage
off the mouths
of two rivulets.
The northern
entrance.
Not to be attempted
by a
stranger.
Abbey Point a birth of half a mile, and when directly between
the south end of the outer reefs and Abbey Point
haul up east by north. There is a very remarkable rock on
the south-east side of the anchorage resembling the head
of a capstan. I t would be safest to anchor when this bears
about south-south-east half armile at most, in order to avoid
a dangerous coral tongue, which lies north a little easterly
from it, three-quarters of a mile; but as this anchorage is
exposed, the ship may proceed farther in as soon as the
exact place of the reef has been ascertained by boats; and
if she proposes staying any time, she may warp into Barn-
pool, taking the precaution of placing a boat on each side
of the entrance. There are two rivulets a t this place, and
probably the best anchorage is off their mouths, the bottom
consisting of the mud brought down by the stream. There
is a well on the eastern side supplied by a spring, and there
are landing places at the entrance of both harbours. There
is a safe passage between the reef, on which the base was
measured, and the outer ones. The Lyra passed through
this three times; and if the object is to go to the northward
it ought to be followed, provided the wind will admit of
steering north and two points on each side of it. The
leading mark for going by this passage is Capstan Fort or
Rock, on with a remarkable nose formed by the trees on
the highest distant land; these are on when they bear
about south by east half east. I t would certainly not be
advisable for a stranger t'o enter by this passage, but he
may run on coming from the northward along the shore at
the distance of two or three miles till Reef Island bears
west, and then he should look sharply out for the reefs,
keeping outside them till near Abbey Point, then act as
before directed. On running down towards Napakiang ft
from the northward a remarkable bluff table land will be
seen to the southward of Abbey Point. The west face of W " »
Abbey Point ought to be kept just on with the east end of
the table land; this will take you further out than is
absolutely necessary; but it is safe; and when Reef Island
is just on with the northern of the group of distant islands
you will be exactly off the north entrance.
On coming from the southward the only danger that
lies in the way is a coral reef even with the water s edge; it
is of a circular form, and a t low water several rocks shew ^ g . p
on it. On every occasion that we passed the sea broke high
upon i t ; but from what we saw of other similar reefs, it
seems very probable that when the water is smooth it will
give no warning; it is about eight miles west, 15 north of
the extreme south point of the island, and lies in latitude
2 6 ° T north, and longitude 127° 26' east of Greenwich.
Port Melville is on the north-west side of the island. PortMeMUe.
A ship wishing to enter it ought to make the Sugar Loaf preach it, and
Peak, and steer between it and the cluster of islands to the
northward, directly for the bottom of the bight, which lies
between the Sugar Loaf and the north end of the-island;
here Herbert’s Island will be seen close to the shore, run in
towards its western end, anchor when it bears east one-third
of a mile and the Sugar Loaf west one-quarter north, barely,toanchor Pre-
* ° vious to entering
shut in with a low dark green point of lan d ; here you will thehaiw
have from seventeen to twenty fathoms.
The entrance of the harbour is narrow, and ought not f“ !toshb°u^ ^
to be attempted without previous examination by the boats channe1,
o f a ship wishing to enter it; With a very little trouble the