CHAPTER XVI
Captain Consett's Report
Extract from the Report of Captain Cyrus P. Consett, commandingU.S.S. _Yosemite_.
"U.S.S. _Yosemite_, "Serial No. K445. Off Honolulu, "21st March, 1921.
"To REAR-ADMIRAL JOSIAH N. FELIX,
"Commanding Third Pacific Squadron, U.S.N.
"Sir, "I have the honour to report that in execution of previous ordersI have carefully examined the area bounded by the 20th and 40thparallels and between 180° longitude and 160° W. longitude, payingparticular attention to the uninhabited islands comprising theOcean Group.
"II. Throughout these operations no trace has been found of the_Alvarado_, _Kittiwake_, and _Donibristle_.
"III. I have been constantly in touch by means of wireless with theBritish and Japanese warships engaged in searching for the missingships. H.B.M.S. _Adventurer_ has now received orders to return toHong Kong, and H.I.J.M.S. _Kanazawa_ has been recalled to Nagasaki.In no case have these vessels reported any signs of theabove-mentioned missing ships.
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"VII. At midnight on the night of the 14th--15th March, visibilitybeing fair, wind Force 1 and sea smooth, a breaking sea was heardahead. Knowing that I was in the vicinity of an island markedposition uncertain on U.S. and British charts (Lat. 31° 10' 12" N.,Long. 171° 30' 10" W.) the speed of the ship was reduced to fiveknots. At 12.15 a.m: course was altered eight points to port.Frequent casts gave a depth of from 49 to 30 fathoms. At 12.30 a.m. Iordered a searchlight to bear upon the island, continuing theinspection at intervals until 2.15 a.m. Deeming it prudent not toclose the island during the hours of darkness I steered north by westuntil dawn.
"VIII. When sufficiently light I again approached the island, whichis about three miles long on each of its four sides and forms aplateau fronted by cliffs averaging 200 feet in height. There is aconsiderable indentation on the western side, but no harbour. Theclosest examination by means of glasses failed to reveal any means ofgaining the summit of the island, which is recognizable by a conicalhill towards the center and a conspicuous group of palms on thesouth-eastern extremity. The island is surrounded by a continuousreef, over which the surf was breaking heavily.
"IX. In the circumstances I deemed it prudent not to send a boatashore, as landing would be extremely hazardous if not impracticable.At intervals sound signals were made in the hope of attracting theattention of possible castaways, but there was no sign of life uponthe island.
"X. At noon I caused independent observation to be made, determiningthe position of the island as follows: Lat N. 31° 10' 5"; Long. W.171° 30' 15".
"XI. While regretting that the search has proved to be unsuccessful Iwish to call your attention to the indefatigable zeal of the officersand men under my command, with a request that the Navy Board beinformed of my recommendations set forth in paragraph V.
"I have the honor to be, "Sir, "Your obedient Servant, "CYRUS P. CONSETT, "Captain, U.S.N."
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