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
In this part of the island is situated Karakakooa Bay, which has been
already described. Along the coast nothing is seen but large masses of
slag, and the fragments of black scorched rocks; behind which, the
ground rises gradually for about two miles and a half, and appears to
have been formerly covered with loose burnt stones. These the natives
have taken the pains of clearing away, frequently to the depth of three
feet and upward; which labour, great as it is, the fertility of the soil
amply repays. Here, in a rich ashy mould, they cultivate sweet potatoes,
and the cloth-plant. The fields are inclosed with stone-fences, and are
interspersed with groves of cocoa-nut trees. On the rising ground beyond
these, the bread-fruit trees are planted, and flourish with the greatest
luxuriance.
Koaara extends from the westernmost point to the northern extremity of
the island; the whole coast between them forming an extensive bay,
called Toe-yah-yah, which is bounded to the north by two very
conspicuous hills. Toward the bottom of this bay there is foul, corally
ground, extending upward of a mile from the shore, without which the
soundings are regular, with good anchorage, in twenty fathoms. The
country, as far as the eye could reach, seemed fruitful and well
inhabited, the soil being in appearance of the same kind with the
district of Kaoo; but no fresh water is to be got here.
I have hitherto confined myself to the coasts of this island, and the
adjacent country, which is all that I had an opportunity of being
acquainted with from my own observation. The only account I can give of
the interior parts, is from the information I obtained from a party who
set out on the afternoon of the 26th of January, on an expedition up the
country, with an intention of penetrating as far as they could; and
principally of reaching, if possible, the snowy mountains.
Having procured two natives to serve them as guides, they left the
village about four o’clock in the afternoon, directing their course a
little to the southward of the east. To the distance of three or four
miles from the bay, they found the country as before described; the
hills afterward rose with a more sudden ascent, which brought them to
the extensive plantations, that terminate the view of the country, as
seen from the ships.
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