CRUISE OF THE PELORUS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 407, 17 September 1861, Page 2

CRUISE OF THE PELORUS.

We (Neio Zealander) are indebted to Commodore Seymour for the following Hydrographical and other notices, some of which may probably be of use to the mercantile community of Auckland and elsewhere.

The Pelorus sailed from Coromandel harbor .on the 6th of July, and making the passage under sail, arrived at Ovalau, Fiji, on the 15th. Finding that, owing to the disturbed state of the North Western districts of Vanua Levu, the sandalwood trade was entirely suspended, the Commodore proceeded to Matkuata, in the Island Vanua Levu, taking with him, Mr. Pritchard, H. B. M. Consul, Thakotnbau, king of Mbau, and Maafu, chief of the Tongaus, resident in Fiji, with whose assistance he succeeded in re-establishing the trade, and in ejecting the Tongaus, who were the originators of the disturbances. From Matkuata the Pelorus went to Aneiteum, in the New Hebrides, arriving there on the 29th July. All was quiet at Aneiteum, and the measles, which had committed great destruction throughout the New Hebrides, had disappeared. On the 31st, the Cordelia arHvpd,.afc A-noitcum from Sydney, and on the 3rd both ships left for Tana and Erromango. At the latter island the arrival of the ships: was the signal for the natives to fly to the mountains, and finding that without the aid of competent interpreters it would be impossible to capture the murderers of Mr. Gordon and his wife, the Pelorus sailed for New Caledonia and the Cordelia for the Solomon Islands, Capt. Hume having orders to endeavor to rescue a boy who was kidnapped from a Sydney trader in August last, by the natives of Isabel island. The Pelorus anchored in Port de France, New Caledonia, on the Bth of August, and found lying there the French screw gun-vessel the Coetlogon, of 160 horse-power, two 30-ft>. guns and 72 men; and schooner Caledonienne, mounting two 18-it. carronades and manned with 30 men, which two vessels and the schooner Gazelle, of 2 guns, form the French squadron in these seas. During the last eighteen months, the sailing frigates Sibylle, Iris, and Iphigenie, each carrying 4 guns, and manned with 160 men, have brought troops to Port de France, and left again for France with the relieved detachments; the Thisbe and Cassini, which were at one time stationed in New Caledonia, have been removed to the Pacific station. There are 2 30-pounders guns and 6 field pieces in battery at Port de France, and there are 18 guns, 30 pounders, in store. The garrison consists ot 600 men of all ranks, including 250 of the compagnie-de-discipline (military convicts). From Port de France the Pelorus went to Norfolk Island, where all was in a most satisfactory state, and the Pitcairn Islanders happy and contented. She left Norfolk Island on the 15th instant, and anchored off Kororareka, Bay of Islands, on the 23rd; sailed the following morning ; was abreast Cape Brett at 8 a.m., and anchored under Rangitoto at 7 o'clock the same evening. 1. While on her passage from Coromandel harbor to the Fijis, Pylstaart in sight, bearing N. 23° E. (true) 37 miles, the Pelorus passed within 650 yards of a reef not laid down on any chart. It is about a quarter of a mile in length from East to. West. There does not appear to be more than one or two fathoms of water on its Western end, at the extremity of which breakers were visible. It lies in latitude 22° 55' 16" South, longitude 170° 27' 50" West, and being situated directly in the track of vessels bound from New Zealand to the Windward Islands of the Fiji .group is very dangerous to the navigation of these seas. 2. In latitude 21° 43' South, longitude 176° 42' West, soundings were suddenly obtained in 7, then in 6£, and afterwards in 6 fathoms, after which, on the ship being tacked (it being after dark) no bottom was found with 63 fathoms tip and down. 3. Three American whalers cruising in company in August, 1860, discovered an extensive bank, having 22 fathoms water on it, which, by the mean of their observations, lay in 20° 43' South, loneitude 176° 11' West.

4. Barrows or Burrows' Island.—This island, stated in Findlay's 'Directory for the Pacific Ocean,' vol. 2, page 831, to be situated in latitude 21° 60' South, longitude 168° 30' East, does not exist,— the Pelorus passed over the position assigned to it on her passage, from Erromanga- to New Caledonia, August 6th, 1861, without seeing auy land excepting that of Mare Island, Loyalty Group which was in sight on the starboard beam.

5. New Caledonia.—The Sovereignty of France has lately been extended to the Loyalty Group, though there is no establishment belonging to that narion on any of the islands composing it. Any vessels found trading oh the coast of New Caledonia are liable to seizure uiiless they have provided thoin::t'lvca with ;i' permit' which can only be obtainodat Port dc France, and have landed there all their arms and ammunition.

0. Norfolk Island is at present the best place f'ii- obtaining supplies in these seas; the beef and mutton procured there are cheaper and infinitely superior to any which can be purchased either in Australia or New Zealand. The price of beef is 4d. per ft, ,• sheep, weighing 90 Its, at 18s. each ; vegetables, mixed, 2£d per ft. The best anchorage is in Cascade Bay on the N.E. side of the island, as

.when a vessel cannot Ho there, the swell setting in will also prevent her lying in Sydney Bay, off the settlement.

7. Durand's Reef is one of the most dangerous shoals in the Coral Sea. It is a rocky patch on which the swell only breaks in heavy weather. It is about half a mile in diameter, does not show above water, and at high tide has a depth of two fathoms over it. It is in latitude 22° 2' 24" South, longitude 168° 39' 34" East. In fair weather there is nothing to denote its existence.