370
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 24

The islands are unproductive, and inhabited by about 30 people.

Ailinginae Islands extend fifteen miles in an east and west direction, and are uninhabited. The lagoon is shallow, and abounds with fish.

There are a few cocoanuts upon the western islands; the eastern islands are said to produce iron-wood.

Rongerik Islands.—There are several passages into the lagoon; that to be preferred carries 10 fathoms water between Gogan and Enybarber Islands.

There are two good anchorages westward of Rongelap Island, on either side of a projecting spit of sand; also anchorage in from 6 to 9 fathoms north-west of Rongelap-pelap. The latter-mentioned island is planted with cocoanuts, has a few dwellings, and there is a wide passage with depths of 9 fathoms close west of the island.

Rongelab Islands (Pescadores).—The lagoon is free from dangers, and has a wide passage into it from the westward.

Mulgrave Islands (Mille Atoll).—Mille Island, the largest of the Mulgrave Group, is situated on the western extreme of the southern reef. It is the residence of the native King, and the greater part of the population reside there. All are Christians, a missionary living among them. The anchorage is off the east extreme in 16 fathoms, and there is good landing upon the beach.

Between Mille Island and Port Rhin there is no passage for even a boat over the reef, and south-eastward from Mille Island are a few low islands visible from a short distance only.

Lukunos Island, occupying the extreme south-east part of the group, has a wide passage upon the western side of it.

Knox Islands.—This group of islands, four in number, extend four miles in a north and south direction, and lie W.S.W. distant six miles from Lukunos Island.

Port Rhin is at the north-west extreme of the group. The island forming the western side of the entrance is named Tokowa; upon it are situated the stores of the German mercantile firm, Chapelle and Co. The island forming the eastern side of the entrance is named Bar.

The 2½-fathoms patch in the passage to Port Rhin is reported to be situated farther to the north-westward.

Tapimoor Pass is situated about eight miles eastward of Port Rhin, bounded upon the west by Tapimoor Island. The Imperial German corvette “Habicht” entered the lagoon by this pass, and steered S.W. by S. for the anchorage off Mille Island. No dangers were observed in the lagoon upon the track taken.

The inhabitants state that there is a passage into the lagoon upon the east side of the group, but the “Habicht” had no opportunity of confirming the statement.

In 1881 the population of the Mulgrave Group numbered 700.

Arhno Atoll.—The fringing reef on the north-west coast of the north-east island is stated to have a lagoon one and three-quarter miles in diameter, having a boat-passage into it from the northward.

The population in 1882 numbered 3,000, those of the northern islands being frequently at war with those of the southern.

Majuro Islands (Arrowsmith).—This group contains thirty-three islands, some of which are very small. The largest island, named Majuro, is twenty-five miles long, and occupies the southern and western sides of the lagoon.

There is no anchorage outside the lagoon, but it may be entered from the northward. There are passes through the reef on either side of Eroj Island; the eastern pass, or that between Eroj and Carolin Islands, is the wider and better. The course in is about S.E. by E., taking care to avoid a shoal of 2½ fathoms on the southern side of the pass.

The western portion of the lagoon is much incumbered by reefs, through which there are intricate channels to an anchorage in 4 fathoms off Majuro, with the north extreme of that island bearing N.W. and about one and a quarter miles off shore.

The eastern part of the lagoon is free from dangers with the exception of an off-lying reef near the northern side. Good anchorage will be found in 25 fathoms, about 3 cables from the European trading stations on Jeridy Island. The inhabitants are variously estimated between 1,500 and 3,000; they are constantly at war, the northern islands against the southern.

Supplies: Cocoanuts, taro, and fowls can be obtained.

Tide: It is highwater at full and change at 4h. 45m.

Likieb Islands.—There are forty-four islands comprised in this group; the largest situated in the south-east extreme is named Likieb, and is the property of a European firm engaged in planting cocoanuts. It is said to be well adapted for a settlement, having a supply of good water.

The passage into the lagoon for ships is south pass, near the middle of the southern reef.

South pass is divided into two channels by a small island just inside the lagoon. Vessels may use either channel, taking care not to pass too close to the eastern side of the island above mentioned.

There are two passages northward of Kapenor Island suitable to small craft only. The northern one is the better, but both channels are obstructed by reefs.

Anchorage may be obtained outside the lagoon, off the above-mentioned western passes.

The lagoon is tolerably clear of reefs in the northern part, but much obstructed by dangers in the south-eastern portion.

The anchorage in the lagoon off Likieb is in not less than 9 fathoms, good holding ground, and sheltered from winds from N.E. and W.S.W. There is also good anchorage in from 5 to 15 fathoms westward of the island next north of Likieb, on a gradually shelving bottom of sand and mud.

Jemo or Temo Island is a small uninhabited sandy island three-quarters of a mile in extent N.E. and S.W., the centre being in lat. 10° 6′ N., long. 169° 42′ E.

The island may be approached on its western side to about half a mile distant, but a reef with breakers extends five miles from the north-east side. Discoloured water with depths of from 20 to 30 fathoms extends thence to the south-west part of Ailuk.

Ailuk (Tindal and Watts Islands).—Near the northern part of the western reef there are reported to be two narrow but clear passages into the lagoon at high water, and also a boat-passage near the western part of the south reef.

The anchorage in the lagoon is, off Ailuk Island, in 12 fathoms not nearer than one and a half miles from the island. The anchorage in the northern part is better. Good water can be obtained at Ailuk.

Mejit or Miadi (New Year Island).—This island is three miles long, well cultivated, and surrounded by reefs extending three and a half miles to the north-east; from one to one and a half miles to the north and west sides, and about 2 cables to the southward.

Taka (Suvarow) and Utirik (Kutusov) Islands.—Both these islands are cultivated, but not permanently inhabited.

Bikar (Dawson) Islands.—All these islands are situated upon the eastern reef, and are covered with trees, but there are no cocoanut trees. There is a station upon the southern island, and a passage for small craft into the lagoon exists through the western reefs, but is dangerous on account of the rapidity of the tidal streams.

Gaspar Rico (Toangi) Islands.—The south-west extreme of this group of islands is situated in lat. 14° 31′ N., long. 169° 1′ E. The islands are low, and thinly covered with ironwood and bushes, and are situated upon the eastern and northern reef. The western reef consists of two parallel reefs, having a boat-channel into the enclosed space which has 30 fathoms water in it.

There is no passage into the lagoon, even for a boat, and no anchorage.

Arecifos (Providence) Island.—This group, consisting of thirteen islands and several sand cays, extends twenty-four miles in an E.S.E. and W.N.W. direction, and are cultivated by a European firm having a station on Ujelang. There is no anchorage outside the lagoon, which may be entered by either of two passes on the south side of the group. The western pass (Hayes or Wide Pass) is the better, and has 4 fathoms in the entry, and a shoal of 2½ fathoms in it that must be avoided. The eastern or narrow pass is three-quarters of a cable wide, carries 2½ fathoms, and is clear of rocks.

The lagoon is studded with coral patches, some very small, and great care is required in its navigation.

The anchorage is in from 9 to 10 fathoms, about 3 cables distant from the reef off the eastern houses on Ujelang Island.

Pleasant Island.—From observations taken on board H.M.S. “Bacchante” in September, 1881, Pleasant Island is about three miles in diameter, and was seen from a distance of eighteen miles.*

The island is of coral formation, and is 100 feet high, apparently having been raised by volcanic action. The centre of the island is of much less elevation than the coast, and contains a small fresh-water lagoon. Cocoanuts are extensively cultivated, and agents of European firms reside upon the west side of the island, where there is a bight in the coast and the best landing-place will be found.†

The coast is free from outlying dangers, but there is no anchorage.

The population number about 400, and are considered a finer race than others of the Marshall Islands.

Pigs, fowls, cocoanuts, and breadfruit can be obtained, but fresh water is frequently scarce, consequent upon long droughts.

Maria Shoal.—Captain H. Chevalier, of the steamship “Zealandia,” reports having upon two occasions passed over the position assigned to this shoal, in lat. 5° 58′ N., long. 164° W., without seeing any indication of shoal water.

Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London,
19th November, 1883.

• Navigating Lieutenant H. Roxby, R.N., H.M.S. “Bacchante,” 1881. See Admiralty chart, Pacific Ocean, No. 780.
  † Berlin, Annalen der Hydrographie, Heft 10 of 1881, and Heft 3 of 1882.