Part 1, Chapter 18

Vanikoro

11 min

This terrible spectacle was the forerunner of the series of maritime catastrophes that the Nautilus was destined to meet with in its route. As long as it went through more frequented waters, we often saw the hulls of shipwrecked vessels that were rotting in the depths, and deeper down cannons, bullets, anchors, chains, and a thousand other iron materials eaten up by rust. However, on the 11th of December we sighted the Pomotou Islands, the old “dangerous group” of Bougainville, that extend over a space of 500 leagues at E.S.E. to W.N.W., from the Island Ducie to that of Lazareff. This group covers an area of 370 square leagues, and it is formed of sixty groups of islands, among which the Gambier group is remarkable, over which France exercises sway. These are coral islands, slowly raised, but continuous, created by the daily work of polypi. Then this new island will be joined later on to the neighboring groups, and a fifth continent will stretch from New Zealand and New Caledonia, and from thence to the Marquesas.

This terrible sight was the first of a series of maritime disasters that the Nautilus was destined to encounter along its route. As long as it traveled through busier waters, we often saw the hulls of shipwrecked vessels rotting in the depths. Deeper down lay cannons, cannonballs, anchors, chains, and countless other iron objects eaten away by rust. However, on December 11, we sighted the Pomotou Islands, Bougainville’s old “dangerous group.” The islands stretch for 500 leagues from east-southeast to west-northwest, from Island Ducie to Lazareff. The group covers an area of 370 square leagues and consists of sixty island groups. Among them, the Gambier group is particularly notable and is under French rule. These coral islands are raised slowly but continuously by the daily work of polyps. Later, this new island will join the neighboring groups. A fifth continent will then stretch from New Zealand and New Caledonia to the Marquesas.

One day, when I was suggesting this theory to Captain Nemo, he replied coldly:

One day, when I suggested this theory to Captain Nemo, he replied coldly:

“The earth does not want new continents, but new men.”

“The earth does not need new continents, but new men.”

Chance had conducted the Nautilus towards the Island of Clermont-Tonnere, one of the most curious of the group, that was discovered in 1822 by Captain Bell of the Minerva. I could study now the madreporal system, to which are due the islands in this ocean.

By chance, the Nautilus had reached the Island of Clermont-Tonnere, one of the most curious islands in the group. Captain Bell of the Minerva discovered it in 1822. I could now study the coral formations responsible for the islands in this ocean.

Madrepores (which must not be mistaken for corals) have a tissue lined with a calcareous crust, and the modifications of its structure have induced M. Milne Edwards, my worthy master, to class them into five sections. The animalcule that the marine polypus secretes live by millions at the bottom of their cells. Their calcareous deposits become rocks, reefs, and large and small islands. Here they form a ring, surrounding a little inland lake, that communicates with the sea by means of gaps. There they make barriers of reefs like those on the coasts of New Caledonia and the various Pomoton islands. In other places, like those at Reunion and at Maurice, they raise fringed reefs, high, straight walls, near which the depth of the ocean is considerable.

Madrepores must not be confused with corals. Their tissue is lined with a hard, calcium-rich crust. Differences in their structure led M. Milne Edwards, my worthy teacher, to divide them into five sections. The tiny organisms secreted by the marine polyp live by the millions at the bottom of their cells. Their calcium deposits become rocks, reefs, and islands large and small. In some places, they form a ring around a small inland lake. Gaps in the ring connect the lake to the sea. Elsewhere, they form reef barriers like those off the coasts of New Caledonia and the various Pomoton islands. In other places, such as Reunion and Maurice, they form fringing reefs. These are high, straight walls, with very deep ocean waters close beside them.

Some cable-lengths off the shores of the Island of Clermont I admired the gigantic work accomplished by these microscopical workers. These walls are specially the work of those madrepores known as milleporas, porites, madrepores, and astraeas. These polypi are found particularly in the rough beds of the sea, near the surface; and consequently it is from the upper part that they begin their operations, in which they bury themselves by degrees with the debris of the secretions that support them. Such is, at least, Darwin’s theory, who thus explains the formation of the atolls, a superior theory (to my mind) to that given of the foundation of the madreporical works, summits of mountains or volcanoes, that are submerged some feet below the level of the sea.

A few cable-lengths off the shores of the Island of Clermont, I admired the immense work of these microscopic workers. These walls are made chiefly by madrepores known as milleporas, porites, madrepores, and astraeas. These polyps are found especially on rough seabeds near the surface. So they begin their work at the top, gradually burying themselves in the debris from the secretions that support them. At least, that is Darwin’s theory of how atolls form. To my mind, it is better than the theory that madreporical formations are built on mountain or volcanic peaks submerged a few feet below sea level.

I could observe closely these curious walls, for perpendicularly they were more than 300 yards deep, and our electric sheets lighted up this calcareous matter brilliantly. Replying to a question Conseil asked me as to the time these colossal barriers took to be raised, I astonished him much by telling him that learned men reckoned it about the eighth of an inch in a hundred years.

I could examine these curious walls closely, for they rose vertically for more than 300 yards. Our electric lights brilliantly lit up the limestone. Conseil asked me how long these colossal barriers had taken to form. He was astonished when I told him that scientists estimated they grew about an eighth of an inch every hundred years.

Towards evening Clermont-Tonnerre was lost in the distance, and the route of the Nautilus was sensibly changed. After having crossed the tropic of Capricorn in 135° longitude, it sailed W.N.W., making again for the tropical zone. Although the summer sun was very strong, we did not suffer from heat, for at fifteen or twenty fathoms below the surface, the temperature did not rise above from ten to twelve degrees.

By evening, Clermont-Tonnerre had disappeared into the distance, and the Nautilus changed course noticeably. After crossing the Tropic of Capricorn at 135° longitude, it sailed west-northwest, heading back toward the tropical zone. Although the summer sun was very strong, we did not suffer from the heat. At fifteen or twenty fathoms below the surface, the temperature did not rise above ten to twelve degrees.

On 15th of December, we left to the east the bewitching group of the Societies and the graceful Tahiti, queen of the Pacific. I saw in the morning, some miles to the windward, the elevated summits of the island. These waters furnished our table with excellent fish, mackerel, bonitos, and some varieties of a sea-serpent.

On December 15, we left the enchanting Society Islands and graceful Tahiti, queen of the Pacific, to the east. That morning, I saw the island’s high peaks a few miles away, in the direction the wind was coming from. These waters provided our table with excellent fish, including mackerel, bonitos, and several varieties of sea serpent.

On the 25th of December the Nautilus sailed into the midst of the New Hebrides, discovered by Quiros in 1606, and that Bougainville explored in 1768, and to which Cook gave its present name in 1773. This group is composed principally of nine large islands, that form a band of 120 leagues N.N.S. to S.S.W., between 15° and 2° S. lat., and 164 deg. and 168° long. We passed tolerably near to the Island of Aurou, that at noon looked like a mass of green woods, surmounted by a peak of great height.

On December 25, the Nautilus sailed into the middle of the New Hebrides. Quiros discovered the islands in 1606, and Bougainville explored them in 1768. Cook gave them their present name in 1773. The group consists mainly of nine large islands. They form a chain 120 leagues long, running from north-northeast to south-southwest, between 15° and 2° south latitude and 164° and 168° longitude. We passed fairly close to the Island of Aurou. At noon, it looked like a mass of green woods topped by a very high peak.

That day being Christmas Day, Ned Land seemed to regret sorely the non-celebration of “Christmas,” the family fete of which Protestants are so fond. I had not seen Captain Nemo for a week, when, on the morning of the 27th, he came into the large drawing-room, always seeming as if he had seen you five minutes before. I was busily tracing the route of the Nautilus on the planisphere. The Captain came up to me, put his finger on one spot on the chart, and said this single word.

That day was Christmas Day, and Ned Land seemed deeply disappointed that we were not celebrating “Christmas,” the family holiday Protestants love so much. I had not seen Captain Nemo for a week when he came into the large drawing room on the morning of the 27th. As always, he acted as if he had seen me five minutes before. I was busy tracing the route of the Nautilus on the world map. The Captain came up to me, put his finger on a spot on the map, and said just one word.

“Vanikoro.”

The effect was magical! It was the name of the islands on which La Perouse had been lost! I rose suddenly.

The effect was magical! It was the name of the islands where La Perouse had been lost! I stood up suddenly.

“The Nautilus has brought us to Vanikoro?” I asked.

“Has the Nautilus brought us to Vanikoro?” I asked.

“Yes, Professor,” said the Captain.

“And I can visit the celebrated islands where the Boussole and the Astrolabe struck?”

“And can I visit the famous islands where the Boussole and the Astrolabe ran aground?”

“If you like, Professor.”

“When shall we be there?”

“When will we be there?”

“We are there now.”

“We’re there now.”

Followed by Captain Nemo, I went up on to the platform, and greedily scanned the horizon.

Captain Nemo followed me up onto the platform, and I eagerly scanned the horizon.

To the N.E. two volcanic islands emerged of unequal size, surrounded by a coral reef that measured forty miles in circumference. We were close to Vanikoro, really the one to which Dumont d’Urville gave the name of Isle de la Recherche, and exactly facing the little harbour of Vanou, situated in 16° 4′ S. lat., and 164° 32′ E. long. The earth seemed covered with verdure from the shore to the summits in the interior, that were crowned by Mount Kapogo, 476 feet high. The Nautilus, having passed the outer belt of rocks by a narrow strait, found itself among breakers where the sea was from thirty to forty fathoms deep. Under the verdant shade of some mangroves I perceived some savages, who appeared greatly surprised at our approach. In the long black body, moving between wind and water, did they not see some formidable cetacean that they regarded with suspicion?

To the northeast, two volcanic islands of unequal size rose from the sea. A coral reef forty miles around surrounded them. We were close to Vanikoro, specifically the island Dumont d’Urville named Isle de la Recherche. We were directly opposite the small harbor of Vanou, at 16° 4′ S. latitude and 164° 32′ E. longitude. The land seemed covered in greenery from the shore to the inland peaks. Mount Kapogo, 476 feet high, stood above them. The Nautilus passed through a narrow strait in the outer belt of rocks. It then found itself among breakers where the sea was thirty to forty fathoms deep. In the green shade of some mangroves, I saw some savages who seemed greatly surprised by our approach. Did they see the long black body moving between wind and water as some formidable cetacean, and regard it with suspicion?

Just then Captain Nemo asked me what I knew about the wreck of La Perouse.

Just then, Captain Nemo asked me what I knew about the wreck of La Perouse.

“Only what everyone knows, Captain,” I replied.

“And could you tell me what everyone knows about it?” he inquired, ironically.

“And can you tell me what everyone knows about it?” he asked ironically.

“Easily.”

I related to him all that the last works of Dumont d’Urville had made known—works from which the following is a brief account.

I told him everything revealed by Dumont d’Urville’s last works. The following is a brief account based on those works.

La Perouse, and his second, Captain de Langle, were sent by Louis XVI, in 1785, on a voyage of circumnavigation. They embarked in the corvettes Boussole and the Astrolabe, neither of which were again heard of. In 1791, the French Government, justly uneasy as to the fate of these two sloops, manned two large merchantmen, the Recherche and the Esperance, which left Brest the 28th of September under the command of Bruni d’Entrecasteaux.

In 1785, Louis XVI sent La Perouse and his second-in-command, Captain de Langle, on a voyage around the world. They sailed in the corvettes Boussole and Astrolabe. Neither ship was ever heard from again. In 1791, the French Government was understandably concerned about the fate of the two ships. It equipped and crewed two large merchant ships, the Recherche and the Esperance. They left Brest on September 28 under the command of Bruni d’Entrecasteaux.

Two months after, they learned from Bowen, commander of the Albemarle, that the debris of shipwrecked vessels had been seen on the coasts of New Georgia. But D’Entrecasteaux, ignoring this communication—rather uncertain, besides—directed his course towards the Admiralty Islands, mentioned in a report of Captain Hunter’s as being the place where La Perouse was wrecked.

Two months later, they heard from Bowen, commander of the Albemarle, that wreckage had been seen on the shores of New Georgia. The report was uncertain, however, and D’Entrecasteaux ignored it. Instead, he headed for the Admiralty Islands. Captain Hunter had identified those islands in a report as the place where La Perouse was wrecked.

They sought in vain. The Esperance and the Recherche passed before Vanikoro without stopping there, and, in fact, this voyage was most disastrous, as it cost D’Entrecasteaux his life, and those of two of his lieutenants, besides several of his crew.

They searched in vain. The Esperance and the Recherche passed Vanikoro without stopping. The voyage was disastrous, costing the lives of D’Entrecasteaux, two of his lieutenants, and several crew members.

Captain Dillon, a shrewd old Pacific sailor, was the first to find unmistakable traces of the wrecks. On the 15th of May, 1824, his vessel, the St. Patrick, passed close to Tikopia, one of the New Hebrides. There a Lascar came alongside in a canoe, sold him the handle of a sword in silver that bore the print of characters engraved on the hilt. The Lascar pretended that six years before, during a stay at Vanikoro, he had seen two Europeans that belonged to some vessels that had run aground on the reefs some years ago.

Captain Dillon, a shrewd old Pacific sailor, was the first to find unmistakable traces of the wrecks. On May 15, 1824, his ship, the St. Patrick, passed close to Tikopia, one of the New Hebrides. There a Lascar came alongside in a canoe. He sold Dillon a silver sword handle with engraved characters on the hilt. The Lascar claimed that six years earlier, during a stay at Vanikoro, he had seen two Europeans. They had belonged to vessels that had run aground on the reefs some years before.

Dillon guessed that he meant La Perouse, whose disappearance had troubled the whole world. He tried to get on to Vanikoro, where, according to the Lascar, he would find numerous debris of the wreck, but winds and tides prevented him.

Dillon guessed that he meant La Perouse, whose disappearance had troubled the whole world. He tried to reach Vanikoro. The Lascar had said he would find many pieces of the wreck there. But winds and tides prevented him from reaching it.

Dillon returned to Calcutta. There he interested the Asiatic Society and the Indian Company in his discovery. A vessel, to which was given the name of the Recherche, was put at his disposal, and he set out, 23rd January, 1827, accompanied by a French agent.

Dillon returned to Calcutta. There he convinced the Asiatic Society and the Indian Company to take an interest in his discovery. A vessel named the Recherche was placed at his disposal. He set out on January 23, 1827, accompanied by a French agent.

The Recherche, after touching at several points in the Pacific, cast anchor before Vanikoro, 7th July, 1827, in that same harbour of Vanou where the Nautilus was at this time.

After stopping at several places in the Pacific, the Recherche anchored off Vanikoro on July 7, 1827. It anchored in the same harbor of Vanou where the Nautilus was now.

There it collected numerous relics of the wreck—iron utensils, anchors, pulley-strops, swivel-guns, an 18 lb.-shot, fragments of astronomical instruments, a piece of crown work, and a bronze clock, bearing this inscription—“Bazin m’a fait,” the mark of the foundry of the arsenal at Brest about 1785. There could be no further doubt.

There it collected many remains of the wreck: iron utensils, anchors, pulley straps, swivel guns, an 18-pound cannonball, fragments of astronomical instruments, a piece of crown work, and a bronze clock. The clock bore the inscription “Bazin m’a fait,” the mark of the foundry at the Brest arsenal around 1785. There could be no further doubt.

Dillon, having made all inquiries, stayed in the unlucky place till October. Then he quitted Vanikoro, and directed his course towards New Zealand; put into Calcutta, 7th April, 1828, and returned to France, where he was warmly welcomed by Charles X.

After making all his inquiries, Dillon stayed in the unlucky place until October. Then he left Vanikoro and headed toward New Zealand. He stopped at Calcutta on April 7, 1828, and returned to France, where Charles X warmly welcomed him.

But at the same time, without knowing Dillon’s movements, Dumont d’Urville had already set out to find the scene of the wreck. And they had learned from a whaler that some medals and a cross of St. Louis had been found in the hands of some savages of Louisiade and New Caledonia. Dumont d’Urville, commander of the Astrolabe, had then sailed, and two months after Dillon had left Vanikoro he put into Hobart Town. There he learned the results of Dillon’s inquiries, and found that a certain James Hobbs, second lieutenant of the Union of Calcutta, after landing on an island situated 8° 18′ S. lat., and 156° 30′ E. long., had seen some iron bars and red stuffs used by the natives of these parts. Dumont d’Urville, much perplexed, and not knowing how to credit the reports of low-class journals, decided to follow Dillon’s track.

But at the same time, Dumont d’Urville had already set out to find the wreck, unaware of Dillon’s movements. They had learned from a whaler that some medals and a cross of St. Louis had been found among the savages of Louisiade and New Caledonia. Dumont d’Urville, commander of the Astrolabe, had then sailed. Two months after Dillon left Vanikoro, he put into Hobart Town. There he learned the results of Dillon’s inquiries. He also learned of a report by James Hobbs, second lieutenant of the Union of Calcutta. Hobbs had landed on an island at 8° 18′ S. latitude and 156° 30′ E. longitude. There he had seen the natives of the region using iron bars and red cloth. Dumont d’Urville was deeply puzzled and did not know whether to trust reports from low-class newspapers. He decided to follow Dillon’s route.

On the 10th of February, 1828, the Astrolabe appeared off Tikopia, and took as guide and interpreter a deserter found on the island; made his way to Vanikoro, sighted it on the 12th inst., lay among the reefs until the 14th, and not until the 20th did he cast anchor within the barrier in the harbour of Vanou.

On February 10, 1828, the Astrolabe appeared off Tikopia. It took aboard a deserter found on the island as a guide and interpreter. The ship then made its way to Vanikoro and sighted it on February 12. It stayed among the reefs until the 14th. Only on the 20th did it anchor inside the barrier, in the harbour of Vanou.

On the 23rd, several officers went round the island and brought back some unimportant trifles. The natives, adopting a system of denials and evasions, refused to take them to the unlucky place. This ambiguous conduct led them to believe that the natives had ill-treated the castaways, and indeed they seemed to fear that Dumont d’Urville had come to avenge La Perouse and his unfortunate crew.

On the 23rd, several officers went around the island and brought back a few unimportant items. The natives denied knowing anything and gave evasive answers, refusing to take the officers to the unfortunate site. This behavior led the officers to believe that the natives had mistreated the castaways. Indeed, the natives seemed to fear that Dumont d’Urville had come to avenge La Perouse and his unfortunate crew.

However, on the 26th, appeased by some presents, and understanding that they had no reprisals to fear, they led M. Jacquireot to the scene of the wreck.

However, on the 26th, some gifts won them over, and they understood that they had no retaliation to fear. They then led M. Jacquireot to the wreck site.

There, in three or four fathoms of water, between the reefs of Pacou and Vanou, lay anchors, cannons, pigs of lead and iron, embedded in the limy concretions. The large boat and the whaler belonging to the Astrolabe were sent to this place, and, not without some difficulty, their crews hauled up an anchor weighing 1,800 lbs., a brass gun, some pigs of iron, and two copper swivel-guns.

There, in three or four fathoms of water between the reefs of Pacou and Vanou, anchors, cannons, and blocks of lead and iron lay embedded in limestone deposits. The Astrolabe sent its large boat and whaler to the site. With some difficulty, their crews hauled up an anchor weighing 1,800 pounds, a brass gun, some blocks of iron, and two copper swivel guns.

Dumont d’Urville, questioning the natives, learned too that La Perouse, after losing both his vessels on the reefs of this island, had constructed a smaller boat, only to be lost a second time. Where, no one knew.

Dumont d’Urville also learned from the natives that La Perouse had lost both his ships on the island’s reefs. La Perouse had then built a smaller boat, only to be lost a second time. No one knew where.

But the French Government, fearing that Dumont d’Urville was not acquainted with Dillon’s movements, had sent the sloop Bayonnaise, commanded by Legoarant de Tromelin, to Vanikoro, which had been stationed on the west coast of America. The Bayonnaise cast her anchor before Vanikoro some months after the departure of the Astrolabe, but found no new document; but stated that the savages had respected the monument to La Perouse. That is the substance of what I told Captain Nemo.

But the French Government feared that Dumont d’Urville did not know about Dillon’s movements. So it sent the sloop Bayonnaise to Vanikoro. The ship, commanded by Legoarant de Tromelin, had been stationed on the west coast of America. The Bayonnaise anchored off Vanikoro some months after the Astrolabe had left. It found no new documents, but reported that the savages had respected the monument to La Perouse. That is the substance of what I told Captain Nemo.

“So,” he said, “no one knows now where the third vessel perished that was constructed by the castaways on the island of Vanikoro?”

“So,” he said, “no one knows where the third vessel built by the castaways on Vanikoro sank?”

“No one knows.”

Captain Nemo said nothing, but signed to me to follow him into the large saloon. The Nautilus sank several yards below the waves, and the panels were opened.

Captain Nemo said nothing, but motioned for me to follow him into the large lounge. The Nautilus sank several yards below the waves, and the panels were opened.

I hastened to the aperture, and under the crustations of coral, covered with fungi, syphonules, alcyons, madrepores, through myriads of charming fish—girelles, glyphisidri, pompherides, diacopes, and holocentres—I recognised certain debris that the drags had not been able to tear up—iron stirrups, anchors, cannons, bullets, capstan fittings, the stem of a ship, all objects clearly proving the wreck of some vessel, and now carpeted with living flowers. While I was looking on this desolate scene, Captain Nemo said, in a sad voice:

I hurried to the opening. Beneath the coral crusts, covered with fungi, syphonules, alcyons, and madrepores, I saw wreckage that the grappling hooks had been unable to pull up. Countless charming fish swam among it: girelles, glyphisidri, pompherides, diacopes, and holocentres. There were iron stirrups, anchors, cannons, cannonballs, capstan fittings, and the stem of a ship. All these objects clearly showed that a vessel had been wrecked there. They were now carpeted with living flowers. As I looked at this desolate scene, Captain Nemo said sadly:

“Commander La Perouse set out 7th December, 1785, with his vessels La Boussole and the Astrolabe. He first cast anchor at Botany Bay, visited the Friendly Isles, New Caledonia, then directed his course towards Santa Cruz, and put into Namouka, one of the Hapai group. Then his vessels struck on the unknown reefs of Vanikoro. The Boussole, which went first, ran aground on the southerly coast. The Astrolabe went to its help, and ran aground too. The first vessel was destroyed almost immediately. The second, stranded under the wind, resisted some days. The natives made the castaways welcome. They installed themselves in the island, and constructed a smaller boat with the debris of the two large ones. Some sailors stayed willingly at Vanikoro; the others, weak and ill, set out with La Perouse. They directed their course towards the Solomon Islands, and there perished, with everything, on the westerly coast of the chief island of the group, between Capes Deception and Satisfaction.”

“Commander La Perouse set out on 7 December 1785 with his ships La Boussole and the Astrolabe. He first anchored at Botany Bay, then visited the Friendly Isles and New Caledonia. He then headed toward Santa Cruz and stopped at Namouka, one of the Hapai group. His ships then struck the unknown reefs of Vanikoro. The Boussole, which was in front, ran aground on the southern coast. The Astrolabe went to help and ran aground too. The first ship was destroyed almost immediately. The second, stranded in the lee of the wind, held out for several days. The natives welcomed the castaways. They settled on the island and built a smaller boat from the wreckage of the two larger ships. Some sailors stayed on Vanikoro willingly. The others, weak and ill, set out with La Perouse. They headed toward the Solomon Islands. There, they and everything with them perished on the western coast of the group’s main island, between Capes Deception and Satisfaction.”

“How do you know that?”

“By this, that I found on the spot where was the last wreck.”

“By this, which I found at the site of the last wreck.”

Captain Nemo showed me a tin-plate box, stamped with the French arms, and corroded by the salt water. He opened it, and I saw a bundle of papers, yellow but still readable.

Captain Nemo showed me a tin box bearing the French coat of arms. Salt water had corroded it. He opened the box, and I saw a bundle of papers. They were yellow but still readable.

They were the instructions of the naval minister to Commander La Perouse, annotated in the margin in Louis XVI’s handwriting.

They were the naval minister’s instructions to Commander La Perouse, with notes in the margin in Louis XVI’s handwriting.

“Ah! it is a fine death for a sailor!” said Captain Nemo, at last. “A coral tomb makes a quiet grave; and I trust that I and my comrades will find no other.”

“Ah! It is a fine death for a sailor!” Captain Nemo said at last. “A coral tomb is a peaceful grave. I hope my comrades and I will find no other.”