Edward William Campbell Rich Owen

“ The fresh water, obtained from wells dug on the isles, is good, wholesome, and abundant. The anchorage is safe—the narrow opening between the reefs of Horsburgh and Direction isles not affording ingress to any heavy sea, as was experienced during a late northerly gale. The channel leading into the inner anchorages has only three fathoms and three-quarters at low water, and is tortuous and narrow for nearly a mile. No vessel drawing more than twelve feet water may safely sail in ”

“ Two species of gannet, and the frigate bird, are particularly numerous about these islands, and many other oceanic birds visit them occasionally. A few cranes, bluish grey and white, sand-pipers, and a species of sand-rail, are all the birds, not of the web-looted kinds, which are found here; and land crabs, good for food, are plentiful.
Turtles are very numerous, and may be caught without difficulty, in all seasons. ”

“ It is planted by them in front of their houses for the sake of its shade and flowers. The timber is useful and durable; and, when of large growth, the bark affords a material for making twine or fishing lines. ”