Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

CEUISE OF THE " CASTOR's " BOATS. 27
part, probably about four or five acres in
extent, covered with casuarine-trees and thin
grass : round the outside of it is a coral reef,
extending from n.e. by s.e. to s.w. It is one of
the Premeira group of uninhabited islands, inside
which there is a good channel, varying from six
to eleven fathoms in depth, with good anchorage
near them. On this island two "four-ton"
tanks were landed from the " Dee " and two
months' provisions for the "Castor's" boats,
pinnace, and barge, or " Imaum," which were
now to be stationed off this part of the coast,
having Mafamale as their rendezvous and
head-quarters, to blockade the river and suppress
the slave-trade on the south of it between
these islands and the mainland. A camp was
pitched on the island, where the boats remained
alternately.
On the 20th we took up our quarters on the
island, and the " Dee" sailed on the following day
for another part of the coast.
Our encampment
consisted of four tents for officers and men, one
for provisions and stores, and another at the
extreme end of the little wood, for ammunition.