CORRESPONDENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 105, 4 October 1879, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We are alwayß willing to givo insertion to letters of explanation or interest, but we wish it to bo distinctly understood that wo do not endorse the opinions expressed, or language used, by our correspondents. Our ideas of passing events will oe found in our local or editorial columns. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sm, —The following information concerning Samoan water* may prove interesting toyoor readers,and to shipmasters visiting tho port of Apia. On the 18th of May last I loft this port in pursuance of my voyage, and shortly after the pilot had left was looking over tbe poop rail when I aaw ooral racks tinder tho ship. I immediately ordered a cast of the lead, but bofore tbe lead could bo thrown the vowel had paaiel into deeper water. From long eiperienoo in coral waters I imagine that '°wo m not 'more than twelve or fifteen

fathoms on the spot where my attention was first attraoted. lat once took the following bearings:— Peak of Apia Mountain, South, magnetic Eastern visible land ESE do. Apolima or Manono WSW do. These bearings were taken when the shipVhead was N by E, on which point there is 8° eight degrees local deviation easterly. These bearings place the shoal about 4J miles N by E of Apia coast line approximate; the eastern visible point being about Fogoloa, the western bearings are not of so much value on account of the difficulty of distinguishing the land in that quarter at the time. It seems strange that this shoal should not have been seen previously, as it lays right in the traok of vessels proceeding to sea, and few vessels shape a course east or west until they have obtained an offing beyond these bearings. I have myself been going in and out of this port four or five times annually for the last twenty-three years yet never knew it before. , I am, &c., R. Tubpie, Master of the John Williams. Apia, Sept. 30th, 1879.