Mark's Pages

"Curious to meet Puni, the old warrior chief from Porapora (which at this time was the headquarters of the 'arioi society) who had conquered Ra'iatea and Taha'a and dominated Huahine, on 7 December 1777 Captain Cook set off from Ra'iatea, accompanied by Reo and headed for Porapora. According to James Burney, Cook had promised Captain Clerke [dying of tuberculosis] that as long as his papers were in order, he could go ashore at this island, and stay there. Off Avanui Bay, a large, sheltered harbour on the west side of Porapora, Captain Cook sent Bligh ahead in the great cutter to find a safe anchorage. When Bligh reported that there was a good channel through the reef, wide enough to turn the ships, Cook followed in the pinnace, landing on the beach where they were greeted by Puni, the high chief of the island. Although Cook presented this blind old warrior with a linen nightgown, a shirt, a mirror, and six large axes, the winds were contrary, preventing the ships from sailing into the harbour; and Clerke and Anderson were unable to go ashore. After farewelling Reo and Puni, cook returned to the Resolution, and the ships set sail together, heading for the west coast of America to search for the Northwest Passage."

— Anne Salmond, Bligh