Item 01: Fred Hamilton-Kenny letter diary, 29 August-19 October 1914 - Page 166
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[Page 166]
a barrier it opposes to the immense force of the Pacific - Outside the reef is deep water & an incessant surf – now moaning - now lashed to fury by the winds - The white foam of the breakers is hurled feet into the air & sullenly retreats only to return & lash again & again that stubborn coral rampart – the life energy of the Polyp - Inside the reef the sea is green indicating shallow areas – it is smooth & calm save when lashed by a typhoon – common in these parts in the early months of the year - You remember Apia harbor & the Calliope's feat of steam & British pluck & seamanship - From the beach to the reef is 2 - 4 miles – so you have an encircling pond - 2-4 miles wide right round your island -
To the sea front the coral barrier is more or less precipitous but on the land side it slopes like a talus at a very oblique angle tapering off gradually to the land