Tema Reef

Tema Reef, also called Tima Reef, is a submerged coral reef in the northern Cook Islands, 23 km southeast of Pukapuka.

No coral or rock shows above water, but the sea breaks heavily over the reef. [http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/pollux/pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/SD/pub126/126sec02.pdf] The reef measures about 550 by 360 meters, covering a shallow but submerged area of 0.16 km². [http://www.janeresture.com/pukapuka/index.htm]

History

Legend has it that Tima, an Aitutakian warrior sailed to Nassau, but was chased away by Ngalewu, a chief from Pukapuka. On his return to Aitutaki he passed the reef nearby and named it "Te Toka-O-Tima", the Stone of Tima

The reef was sighted by Commodore John Byron on June 21, 1765. Captain William Williams of the missionary ship “John Williams” sighted the reef on May 15,1864. It was again examined by H.M.S. “Alert” in 1880. [http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-KloDisc-t1-body-d16.html]

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-KloDisc-t1-body-d16.html

History

Tema Reef was discovered by Captain William Williams, of the John Williams, on May 15, 1864, and examined by H.M.S. Alert. [http://www.janeresture.com/pukapuka/index.htm]

References