Skirted the reef of Taputocuea (??) eleven miles off the shore. We approached the island with Skipper doing masthead navigation. We were proceeding slowly under power when the order came suddenly – “Reverse engine, hard a-starboard.” We stopped just in time to save our bow from hitting a coral crag. .We dropped anchor then, as it was too dangerous to go in any further. We were practically hull down on the horizon.

Some of the fellows went ashore and found the village deserted, as all the natives were out celebrating Empire Day. I stayed on board and played pinochle with Oakes.