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90
February 1854
Pacific Ocean
6th S. Lat 11° 22' E. Lon. 165° 54' Wind W. Nv 2km.
The wind very light, but enabling us to
get far enough to the Northward to make
the Island "Santa Cruz". Ourly in sight
to the eastward.
7th S. Lat. 11° 01' E. Lon. 165° 41' Nearly Calm.
Having approached within about 8 Miles
of the S.W. coast of Santa Cruz we
lay there most of the day becalmed.
The natives came off to the ship in their
canoes, and bartered their bows, spears,
fishing lines, bread fruit, some flying fish,
etc., for axes, plane-irons, bottles, and
such other things as we chose to offer
them. They are of a large and well
shaped race, of a very dark brown color,
nearly black; their hair is thick and
woolly, generally plastered with some
white substance. Their canoes are
small and narrow, provided with an
outrigger and platform, and carry
two or three persons each. About a
dozen canoes were about the ship at
one time, the natives being very eager
for barter, and continually crying out
Toka! Toka!! (axe or other iron tools)
91
February 1854
Pacific Ocean
Nothing however could induce them to come on
board, although often urged through the use
skills of our interpreter, Rossini a seaman
who had resided some years among the South
Sea Islands.
In the evening getting more to the west-
ward we saw Volcano I., a regularly con-
cal volcanic island lying to the N.W.
of Santa Cruz.
8th S. Lat. 10° 49' E. Lon. 165° 48' Wind N.Nw. Nv. 1km
The volcano in activity
9th S. Lat. 9° 40' E. Lon. 165° 19' Wind S.W. Nv. 4.km.
At sunrise a small cluster of coral
islets (the Mendana group) lying to the
N.E. of Volcano I. were seen.
10th S. Lat. 8° 50' E. Lon. 164° 44'
Nearly calm with an occasional rain squall.
11th S. Lat 7° 51' E. Lon. 164° 02'
Wind light, variable. Weather Squally
12th S. Lat 6° 52' E. Lon. 164° 21' Wind N.
Weather Squally
13th S. Lat. 5° 39' E. Lon. 165° 24' Wind N.W. Nv 4km
Weather Squally. A Moddy (Sterna) flew on
board in the evening and was caught.
14th S. Lat 4° 45' E. Lon. 166° 24'
In the morning a light Northerly breeze