Page:Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, Volume 1 (2nd edition).djvu/236

208 King Island and the group of St. Paul's, sailed through the strait westward of Oonemak, which is nine miles and a half across. On the 5th of November he made the high land of New Albion, passed the promontory of Punta de los Reyos, and, on the 8th, arrived at San Francisco. Previous to the departure of the Blossom for Monterey, a land expedition, consisting of Messrs. Collie, Marsh; and Evans, was made to that port, which was very productive to the collections of natural history.

The Blossom left Monterey for the Sandwich Islands on the 5th of January, 1827, and on the passage searched unsuccessfully for those islands that were marked near the route, rounding-to every night when near the position of any one, that it might not be passed unobserved, and making sail on a parallel of latitude during the day. In this manner Henderson's and Cooper's Islands were sought for, besides several others said to lie near them, and also a group in the latitude of 16° N., and longitude between 130° and 133° W.; but nothing was seen even there of them, nor any of the usual indications of land; so that if these islands exist, they must be in some other parallel than that assigned to them in the American 'Geographical Table' for 1825.

On the 26th of January the Blossom anchored in the harbour of Honoruru; and, after a stay of thirty-nine days, put to sea again. On the 25th of March the island of Assumption was passed. Arrowsmith has incorrectly placed the Mangs on the south side of Assumption, as, by the astronomical bearings of the Blossom, they are situated N. 27° 7′ 30″ W. (true) from the south-east end of that island, and are in latitude 19° 57′ 02″ N. They consist of three high rocks, lying in a south-easterly direction. Captain Beechey did not observe the rocks discovered by Freycinet in latitude 19° 32′ N., and which he supposed to be the Mangs: if both latitudes are correct, he must have passed within four miles of them.

A contrary wind, which rendered it necessary to beat through the channel between the Bashee Islands and Botel Tabago Xima, afforded an opportunity of connecting these islands trigonometrically, and of obtaining transit bearings when in intermediate stations between them; and from these observations, compared with the chart of Captain Horsburgh, the latter appeared to be constructed with great care and accuracy.

Captain Beechey was anxious, on leaving Macao, where he arrived on the 10th of April, to explore the sea to the eastward of Loo Choo. He was, however, prevented doing so by variable winds and contrary currents, and was obliged to steer directly to the latter place.

During his stay at Loo Choo, Captain Beechey completed the survey of the port of the town of Nepa, or Papa Ching, which