PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
SIR,
T
No. 36.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received November 6, 1894).
Admiralty, November 1, 1894.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the perusal of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to your letter of the 9th July last, the accompanying copies of reports on Necker Island, forwarded by the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, in his letter, No. 223 of 1894, in connexion with the question of utilising the island for the purposes of a cable station.
Similar letters have been addressed to the Foreign Office and Post Office.
I am, &c.
EVAN MACGREGOR,
Enclosure in No. 36.
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Reference :-
C.O. 885
(No. 29.) SIR,
LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
H.M.S." Champion," at Esquimalt,
September 28, 1894.
1 HAVE the honour to report that I sailed from Honolulu on 25th August, and arrived off Necker Island on the morning of the 28th.
2. As landing was quite impracticable on account of a heavy northerly swell, 1 commenced the running soundings from the ship, anchoring each night on the bank.
3. On the 31st and following day, the surveying party landed under difficulties in East Cove, an officer and two men being twice washed off the ledge of rocks, the water in the immediate vicinity swarming with sharks.
4. After the northerly swell had abated, a few days later, we found a better landing place in West Cove.
88769.
• No. 29.
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5. I forward a chart of the island made on the scale ordered, and one of the bank, made on a smaller scale on account of its great extent; also my report on the island.
Forwarded also is a geological report (with specimens of rock) drawn up by Mr. ter Veen, assistant engineer.
6. There were no signs of the British flag having been hoisted.
7. Having completed the survey on September 10th, I proceeded for Esquimalt. 8. Fourteen working days, including Sundays, were occupied in the survey. !Seven hundred and thirty soundings were taken from the ship, and about 100 from boats, their bearing and distance being carefully noted.
9. With the exception of 14 days sailing, I steamed until the 19th through calms and light winds to Lat. 394 N., Long. 1534 W., where I picked up westerly winds which carried us to Cape Flattery.
SCB.
On the 24th and 25th it blew a “whole gale,” force 7 to 10, with a heavy following
--
10. I arrived at Esquimalt this afternoon.
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-|
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
Rear-Admiral Henry F. Stephenson, C.B., Commander-in-Chief.
I have, &c.
E. ROOKE,
Captain.
NECKER ISLAND, FULL DESCRIPTION OF.
Dimensions and Shape.-Necker Island is 1,350 yards long and 250 yards wide between extremes.
The profile, or plan of the island is undulating at the top, there being four distinct risings or peaks (photograph inclosed).
The western peak is 280 feet in height, the next 300 feet, next 280 feet, and the most easterly 240 feet.
These peaks, whose tops are comparatively flat, are connected by a ridge.
The sides of the island are all steep, but the south, the west, and north-west sides are
in parts perpendicular, and in parts the cliffs overhang from 10 to 20 feet above the
water line.
All surfaces are rugged, uneven, and weatherword. The only exceptions are in seven
or eight ancient artificial terraces on the above-mentioned rises.
One of these terraces measures 48 ×30 feet, the others about 20x8 feet.
The floors of these terraces are mostly paved with pebbles and small stones, and are partly encircled by up-ended blocks of lava, measuring 24×12×6 inches, and partly by low walls 2 feet bigh and 3 feet thick.
The shores of the island, excepting in East Cove, are steep, to 5 to 8 fathoms along-▾ side the rocks.
From the west end of the island, a semi-detached rock, about 100 feet high, extends in a north-easterly direction for 270 yards.
It is connected with the island by a short and narrow neck of rock, 15 yards wide, which is almost undermined by the sea.
The cliff overhangs this neck in a dangerous manner.
There is also a small detached rock close to the east end of the island.
Vegetation.-There are three species of dwarf shrubs growing in patches on the upper ridges (specimens enclosed.) There is little or no soil.
Water-A few heavy showers of rain fell daily during our stay of 14 days in Sep- tember, and, from the fact that, though there are thousands of birds, there is little or no deposit of it is evident that the rainfall is large.
guano,
In a cave at the east end of the island a few water drips were found. The water was clear and good.
To ensure a constant supply of drinking water, it will be necessary to have a condenser. Tide and current.---The rise and fall was estimated at two feet. The current in the
' vicinity runs to the westward on the north side, and, circling round, it eddies to the east-
ward on the south side of the island.
At slack water these currents slacken but are not reversed.
& Formation, &c.-The island is of volcanic origin, lavas of various descriptions lying in
beds, and dipping at the east end, all much weathered and pitted with cavities.
Specimens of stone are forwarded, together with a geological report drawn up by Mr. ter Veen, assistant engineer.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
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