1841.
Missionaries, who had made frequent visits to Poverty Bay, that there is a dangerous reef eighteen miles off shore, bearing due east by compass from the north head of the bay; it lies in a N. W. and S. E. direction, is three quarters of a mile long, and over it there is only five feet water; the breakers on it may be seen distinctly from the shore. It is a danger not generally known, and, therefore, it is the more necessary to call the attention of seamen to it: when the island is open with the point you are just abreast of the reef, but if shut in on either side, you are clear of it. He also mentioned to me that he had seen another reef due north from the north end of Flat Island, half a mile long, four inches above water at low water spring tides, and distant about eight miles from the land. Neither of these dangers was seen by us, and it is probable that their position is not very accurately determined.
During the day we observed many sooty albatross, Nov. 25.the dark-coloured and elegant blue petrel, as also the Cape pigeon. At noon we were in lat. 38° 17′ S. and long. 179° 51′ E., and crossed the meridian of 180° at 2 p.m. Soon after noon the wind veered to the southward, with considerable swell, so that the ship could not lie her course, and made much leeway; the breeze freshening as the evening advanced, and blowing a gale by midnight.
Having, by sailing to the eastward, gained Nov. 25.twelve hours, it became necessary, on crossing the 180th degree, and entering upon west longitude,
