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The Chief of Tyarrabboo keeps one of these Vessels constantly plying between Taheite and Myetoo or Myetea, Calld by us Osnaburgh Island, 27 leages S.E. of Taheite, which is Subject to Him, and in her, he sends Iron Work and What European Commoditys he Can raise as presents to the Chiefs, who in return send back Pearls, Pearl Shells, Stools for Seats, Pillows & Pudding Stools Made of Tommanoo, with Dishes & Trays of the same wood, Matting, Cloth, Oil, Hogs &c. &c. — and she seldom returns without a Cargo. By Means of this Island they have Communication with several others to the N.E. of Taheite and taking the advantage of the Northerly Wind reach Myetoo where they watch Wind shifting to stretch to the Northward to a Group of small Islands, the Capital of which is Calld Tapoohoe which appears to be the same by their account where the African Galley, one of Commodore Roggeweins Squadron, was lost (he was fitted out by the Dutch West India Company and passd these Seas early in this Century and His ships [were] afterwards Seized by the Governor of Batavia);24 from this Island the first Iron was imported to Taheite and a Beam of Oak which we saw at Tetooroa (a Number of Small Islands 8 leagues N of Taheite) is I have no doubt (from the Account of the Natives, some of whom are now living, who remember the loss of the ship, tho they Could form No Idea of Her but from the description of the Natives of Tapoohoe, but saw the Beam Come on Shore which they supposed to be part of the ridge of a House) a part of that ship, which may account for their knowledge of the Use of Iron when that Island was discovered.
It may seem strange to European Navigators how these people find their Way to such a distance without the Help or knowledge of letters, Figures or Instruments of any kind but their Judgement and their knowledge of the Motion of the Heavenly bodys, at which they are more expert and can give a better account of the Stars which rise and set in their Horison then an European Astronomer would be willing to beleive, which Is nevertheless a Fact and they can with amazing sagacity fore tell by the Appearance of the Heavens with Great precision when a Change of the Weather will take place and prepare for it accordingly. When they Go to Sea they Steer by the Sun Moon & Stars and shape their Course with some degree of exactness.
At the Distance of 8 Leagues N. or N½ W from Point Venus lies the Islands of Tettooroa, in number ten, incompassd by a reef about 10 or 12 leagues in circumference. They are all low and for
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Indigenous Histories |  |
© Derived from the 1935 Print Edition edited by Owen Rutter, page 201, 2004
Published by kind permission of the Library
To cite this page use: https://paulturnbull.org/project/southseas/journals/-morrison-074.html