The sight of land—though seemingly barren—brings joy and renewed hope to the weary sailors. Among the islands they chart are Resolution Island (likely Nukutepipi), Doubtful Island, Furneaux Island, Adventure Island, and Chain Island, each offering scenic views of lagoons, reefs, and sparse vegetation.
As they navigate the reef-strewn waters, the crew encounters signs of life: a canoe glimpsed near the coast, the sound of surf breaking in the dark, and at dawn, tree-ringed lagoons glowing in the tropical light. Cautious maneuvers like "heaving to" allow safe overnight drifting among hidden reefs, a common hazard in the region.
The crew's health remains strong thanks to strict discipline, fresh air, and dietary precautions, especially in contrast to the scurvy-stricken men aboard the Adventure. With each new island, the sailors marvel at the isolated beauty of the South Pacific and the mystery of how such remote places came to be inhabited.
Their journey continues westward—toward Mo'orea and Tahiti—driven by the promise of fresh provisions and friendly encounters on the Society Islands.
A map of the locations of this episode
My YouTube VIDEO channel, Voyage to Go, where I visit the places from this travel narrative
More Episodes of Voyage 2 Go History:
S1-E1: England: Departure around the world
S1-E5: Cape Colony: Ocean on Fire
S1-E9: Southern Ocean: Lost in the Ice