Captain Lambert of the ship Wachusett reported that on June 4, 1899 he passed over a reef

Reef

In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....

 which appeared to be of coral

Coral

Corals are marine animals in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.A coral "head" is a colony of...

 formation in approximately latitude 32°18′S 151°08′W. The reef appeared to be about 500 feet wide. The bottom showed of a dark gray color with deep blue on both sides of the reef. The depth was estimated at from 5 to 6 fathoms; unfortunately no soundings were taken.

The 2005 edition of the National Geographic Atlas of the World still shows Wachusett Reef, with a depth of 9 meters. Nevertheless, its existence is doubtful. Other nearby historically reported reefs which appear to not exist include Ernest Legouve Reef

Ernest Legouve Reef

Located in the South Pacific Ernest‑Legouvé Reef was reported in 1902 by the unnamed captain of the French ship "Ernest‑Legouvé". The reef was about 100 metres long and another reef was sighted near it...

, Jupiter Reef

Jupiter Reef

Jupiter Reef or Jupiter Breakers is a supposed reef in the South Pacific ; it appears to be a phantom reef....

, and Maria Theresa Reef

Maria Theresa Reef

The Maria-Theresa Reef is a supposed reef in the South Pacific ; it appears to be a phantom reef. It is also known as Tabor Island or Tabor Reef on French maps.-Reports:...

.