NEW EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH SEAS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 89, 18 September 1852, Page 5

NEW EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH SEAS.

H. M. S. "Herald," Captain H. Mangles Denham, R.N., F.R.S., and the « Torch" steam tender, Lieutenant Chiimno, are about to proceed to the South Pacific, to explore and survey all the islands between Australia and Valparaiso, and particularly the Feejee Islands. Although Captain Cook and several other navigators have touched at these groups, and marked their position on their charts, yet very little is known respecting them, further than that many of them are surrounded with coral reefs, the land exceedingly fertile, and the climate salubrious, and also that the natives are addicted to cannibalism.

The "Herald," although a frigate, is not armed as such. She only carries six 32-pounder carronades and four long guns, a howitzer, &c, and these, with the small arms, are thought quite sufficient for her defence in case the natives should prove hostile, while her limited number of guns will excuse saluting, on account of her chronometers. The "Torch" has one long 32-pounder pivot gun, capable of being trained in every direction. She has also a number of swivel gnns mounted on her bulwarks ; and to prevent the natives hording her from their canoes, she will be completely enclosed with nettings; but the "Herald" standing higher out of" the water, will not require such protection. Notwithstanding the ships are thus defended against pirates and hostile tribes, they are at the same time quite as well prepared, and a great deal more disposed, to treat the islanders in a much more peacful manner, if they evince at all a friendly disposition : and, for this purpose, no less than two tons of trinkets, knives, axes, looking glasses, printed cottons, &c, have been sent on board. In the scientific department nothing has been neglected, every instrument that can possibly be ""required in surveying has been supplied, of the best description. The experienced officer who has been entrusted with the command of this expedition is already distinguished by his love of scientific research, his skill in maritime surveying and construction of charts. Lieutenant Chiimno is an officer of considerable scientific acquirements ; and the part he will take in carrying out the object of the expedition will be no trifling one. Indeed all the officers and men of both ships have been selected either for their abilities as seamen, or for other qualities peculiarly fitting them for such a service as the present. Mr. M'Gillivray, well known in the scientific world as a naturalist, has been appointed to attend to the natural history department; and Mr. S. Glen Wilson, a young artist, has also been appointed to make drawings of objects likely to prove interesting in illustration of these Islands, and the manners and customs of the people. By order of the Board of Admiralty he has been supplied with a photographic apparatus. Up to the present time we have had very few drawings from this part of the globe that could be depended upon ; but now that photography is to be employed, we may expect to have representations {of a very superior.description. The people, their costume and weapons, their canoes, their dwellings, the

coasts, headlands, coral islands, and objects of natural history, &c, all may be given by this wonderful process witli an accuracy of detail unattainable by any other means.

The " Herald" has been a great attraction at Woolwich, and was inspected by Commodore Eden, who expressed himself highly pleased with all he had witnessed on board, and the excellent arrangements that have been made for the anticipated lengthened service, five to seven years, of the officers and crew. The Rev. Mr. Hoole, of the Missionary Society, has given vocabularies of the languages spoken by the natives of many of the Islands, and instructed the missionaries in connexion with the Society to render every service they possibly can to the officers. Sir William Hooker and Dr. Hooker, from the gardens at Kew, have contributed to the stock of plants and seeds which are to be transported to the Antipodes.— Illustrated News.