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
is an harbour to the southward of the east point, which they affirmed to
be superior to that of Karakakooa; and we were also told, that, on the
north-west side, there was another harbour, called Keepoo-keepoo.
Tahoorowa is a small island lying off the south-west part of Mowee, from
which it is distant three leagues. This island is destitute of wood, and
the soil seems to be sandy and barren. Between Tahowrowa and Mowee, lies
the small uninhabited island Morrotinnee.
Morotoi is only two leagues and a half from Mowee to the west
north-west. The south-western coast, which was the only part near which
we approached, is very low; but the land rises backward to a
considerable height; and, at the distance from which we saw it, appeared
to be entirely without wood. Its produce, we were told, consists chiefly
of yams. It may, probably, have fresh water; and, on the south and west
sides, the coast forms several bays, that promise good shelter from the
trade winds.
Ranai is about three leagues distant from Mowee and Morotoi, and lies to
the south-west of the passage between these islands. The country to the
south is high and craggy; but the other parts of the island had a better
aspect, and appeared to be well inhabited. We were told that it produces
very few plantains and bread-fruit trees; but that it abounds in roots,
such as yams, sweet potatoes, and tarrow.
Woahoo lies to the north-west of Morotoi, at the distance of about seven
leagues. As far as we could judge, from the appearance of the north-east
and north-west parts (for we saw nothing of the southern side), it is by
far the finest island of the whole group. Nothing can exceed the verdure
of the hills, the variety of wood and lawn, and rich cultivated valleys,
which the whole face of the country displayed. Having already given a
description of the bay, formed by the north and west extremities, in
which we came to anchor, I have only to observe, that in the bight of
the bay, to the south of the anchoring-place, we found rocky foul
ground, two miles from the shore. Should the ground tackling of a ship
be weak, and the wind blow strong from the north, to which quarter the
road is entirely open, this circumstance might be attended with some
danger; but with good cables there would be little risk, as the ground
from the anchoring-place, which is opposite to the valley through which
the river runs to the north point, is a fine sand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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