Leaving New Caledonia upon the 21st Floréal,[6] D'Entrecasteaux sighted successively Moulin and Huon Islands, and Santa Cruz de Mendana, which is separated from New Jersey by a strait, in which the French vessels were attacked by the natives.
[Footnote 6: Eighth month of the Republican calendar, from 18th April to 20th May.]
To the south-east D'Entrecasteaux observed an island, which he named after the Recherche , and which he might have called Discovery if he had approached it. It was Vanikoro, an islet surrounded by coral reefs, upon which La Perouse's vessels had been wrecked, and which at this time, in all probability, was inhabited by some of the unfortunate seamen. It was most unfortunate to be so near success, and yet to miss it! But the veil which hid the fate of La Perouse and his c……
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