FANNING ISLAND—AN INCIDENT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 29, 16 January 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

FANNING ISLAND—AN INCIDENT.

(from: the “nautical magazine.”) In the midst of the Pacific, not far from the equator, in latitude 3 degrees 49 minutes N., and longitude 859 degrees 20 minutes, W., stands one prominent among the many delightful little isles that stud this ocean, beautiful not only in its capacity to feast the eye of all who are interested in and admirers of the picturesque, but also in the nature of its soil, which so liberally gives birth to and nourishes the tall cocoanut and other trees nearly as useful and worthy of admiration. Almost alone in its solitary beauty—in itself a field of private enterprise—it enjoys an uninterrupted state of tranquil repose, broken only by occasional visit of whalers, clipper ships, and other vessels bound southward which, after a day or two’s stay, proceed on their route well pleased and agreeably surprised with a novelty which has seldom oflered such a welcome recess from the monotony of an ocean voyage.

Fanning Island, the one alluded to, is in shape oblong, extending in a S. W. and N. E. direction; its extreme length about ten miles, and its extreme breadth about six miles. It is skirted, like most other Islands of the Pacific, by a small reef extending all round the Island, but only half a cable’s length from the beach, against which the ocean swell breaks, but seldom with very great violence. Outside of this reef there is no danger of any kind. The belt of land which forms the Island is about a mile average width, and densely covered with cocoanut trees, which produce fruit of the very finest description. The regularity of this palmetto forest is occasionally broken by conspicuous gaps, leaving thick clusters of trees standapart with a low coral space between. One of the principal features which gives value to the island, is the possession of a spacious lagoon the entrance to which is on the S. W. side. The width of the channel available*for vessels is about 100 fathoms. The bottom of the channel, as also that of the lagoon, is of coral, variegated in colour and quality. There is excellent anchorage for ships, both at the entrance aud on the west side of the island, at a place termed Whaleman’s Bay. At the latter place, the depth of water ranges from eight fathoms to about fifteen, half a mile from the beach and upwards. Here ships of the largest class have at times anchored to procure a supply of fresh water, which is abundant adjacent to the anchorage. In the harbour, within the lagoon, holding ground for ships anchor is good, and there is sufficient room for several vessels when properly moored to lie in perfect safety for any length of time.

Through the kindness of the proprietors, every facility is offered for procuring firewood and water of fair quality. The lagoon abounds with fish of the very best description, and there lias never yet been an instance of poisoning from eating them. The entrance varies in depth from four to six fatnoms; inside the lagoon the range is from four to nine and upwards. The trade winds blow' steadily from the eastward almost all the year round and the island is seldom or never the scene of anv very boisterous weather. The months of March and April are generally the worst throughout the year. \\ ith regard to its soil, it is in some places sandy, in others it is of dark earthy mould intermixed with great patches of phosphatic guano of a fine quality. It produces bananas, pumpkins, raAishes, taro, figs, cabbages, tomatoes, melons, and numerous other garden vegetables, but lately introduced, and now for the first time springing up. Erom the numerous cocoanut trees there is a Targe quantity of of cocoanut oil annually manufactured, which commands a ready market in any part of of the world, its purity rendering it inferior to none for burning or in the manufacture of toilet articles, for which it is extensively used in Europe and America.

Having thus far, by way of introduction, given a brief sketch of the island, we will now describe an incident which recently occured on it, and which will form an era in its history. On Monday, the 4th February, the natives and foreign em - ployees of the island were startled from their work by the loud report of a gun and on looking in the direction of the sound, saw H. B. M. steam sloop Alert, which had for some time been expected. Captain English, one of the proprietors of the island, immediately went off to her accompanied by a pilot, and after the entrance had been sounded and declared safe by her officers, the beautiful ship steamed safely and majestically into the lagoon against a strong ebb tide, and came to anchor in six fathoms of water. The trade wind blew very strong, from the eastward for two days with frequent squalls, but everything having been made snug, no accident occurred. Subsequently, the weather became very fine, and her commander and officers took every advantage of it in making a close inspection of the island, collecting various conchological specimens. They were highly gratified at the entertainment shown to them, and with the various amusements offered for their acceptance. Riding, shooting, shelling, fishing, stuffing, birds, &c., were the order of the day, into all which, on account of the novelty, the officers entered with great zest and pleasure. But for the following Friday was reserved the performance

of the special duty which was the object of the visit of the ship to Fanning Island —the grand finale to the programme of bustle and excitement .attending the visit. On that day, about one o’clock p. m., the entire ship’s company, consisting of the commander, officers, and crew, landed from the steamer, the crew and marines fully armed, accompanied by a twelvepound field howitzer. They were drawn up in line, the marines and battery being on the extreme right. The commander then declared to the proprietors of the island that he was about to perform tee object of his visit, —to take formal possession of the island in the name of Queen Victoria and to extend to it the benefits of British protection. Salute in honour of her Majesty was first fired from the howitzer and small arms, when Captain Pearse addressed the head of the firm as follows : —“ Captain English and all present, take notice, I salute the British flag (pointing to it then .flying from the flagstaff) and declare this island, in the name of the Queen, to be, now and in future, under British protection.” Another volley was then fired along the line. The harbour was named English Harbour, and the point on which is the settlement, “ English Point.” A young; coeoanut tree was planted on the spot by Captain Pearse, in commemoration of the event. The ship’s company were then exercised by four hours’ drill, after which they went on board, and the ceremonies of the day terminated. On the following day a neat railing was erected round the tree by command of Captain Pearse, and on it the following inscription : ENGLISH POINT TREE, ENGLISH HAEBOHB, FANNING ISLAND. Was planted on the Bth of February, 1861, to com memoratethe visit ofH. B. M. S. ‘Alert. The last day of the week ended with mutual visiting, Captain Pearse permitting the natives to go on board. Ship and shore vied with each other in hospitality, and on Sunday a sumptuous dinner was given by the proprietors of the Island to their guests, the whole passing off with great eclat.