The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VII. Being the Third of the Third VoyageKing, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VII. Being the Third of the Third Voyage
King, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
This group consists of eleven islands, extending in latitude from 18°
54ʹ to 22° 15ʹ north; and in longitude from 199° 36ʹ to 205° 06ʹ east.
They are called by the natives; 1. Owhyhee. 2. Mowee. 3. Ranai, or
Oranai. 4. Morotinnee, or Morokinnee. 5. Kahowrowee, or Tahoorowa. 6.
Morotoi, or Morokoi. 7. Woahoo, or Oahoo. 8. Atooi, Atowi, or Towi, and
sometimes Kowi.[11] 9. Neeheehow, or Oneeheow. 10. Oreehoua, or Reehoua;
and, 11. Tahoora; and are all inhabited, excepting Morotinnee and
Tahoora. Besides the islands above enumerated, we were told by the
Indians, that there is another called Modoopapapa[12], or Komodoopapapa,
lying to the west south-west of Tahoora, which is low and sandy, and
visited only for the purpose of catching turtle and sea-fowl; and, as I
could never learn that they knew of any others, it is probable that none
exist in their neighbourhood.
They were named by Captain Cook the _Sandwich Islands_, in honour of the
EARL of SANDWICH, under whose administration he had enriched geography
with so many splendid and important discoveries; a tribute justly due to
that noble person for the liberal support these voyages derived from his
power, in whatever could extend their utility, or promote their success;
for the zeal with which he seconded the views of that great navigator;
and if I may be allowed to add the voice of private gratitude, for the
generous protection, which, since the death of their unfortunate
commander, he has afforded all the officers that served under him.
Owhyhee, the easternmost, and by much the largest, of these islands, is
of a triangular shape, and nearly equilateral. The angular points make
the north, east, and south extremities, of which the northern is in
latitude 20° 17ʹ north, longitude 204° 02ʹ east: the eastern in latitude
19° 34ʹ north, longitude 205° 06ʹ east: and the southern extremity in
latitude 18° 54ʹ north, longitude 204° 15ʹ east. Its greatest length,
which lies in a direction nearly north and south, is 28-1/2 leagues; its
breadth is 24 leagues; and it is about 255 geographical, or 293 English
miles, in circumference. The whole island is divided into six large
districts; Amakooa and Aheedoo, which lie on the north-east side; Apoona
and Kaoo on the south-east; Akona and Kooarra on the west.
The districts of Amakooa and Aheedoo are separated by a mountain, called
Mouna Kaah (or the mountain Kaah), which rises in three peaks,
perpetually covered with snow, and may be clearly seen at 40 leagues’
distance.
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