THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH APRIL, 1883.
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Baguan is a densely wooded island, 228 feet high. Taganac.-This island is about one mile in length N NE. and S SW., and is surrounded by a coral reef; it is densely wooded, the tops of the trees being 554 feet above the water.
Taganac patches.-Irregular soundings, varying from five to 14 fathoms, were found to exist between three and six miles W. by N. of the north point of Taganac; this position is occasionally marked by tide-ripples.
Caution.-Commander C. Johnstone, H. B. M. S. Egeria, reports having obtained a cast of four fathoms, "with Taganac island bearing S. 48° E., Bahála bluff S. 11° W., and Baguan island S. 74° E.; it was apparently of some extent to the westward of this.”
This shoal was not found by the Flying Fish, but the neighborhood was but partially examined.
Gubbins reef is a dangerous patch of coral with about six feet water on it, lying seven miles W. S. of the south point of Taganae island and 11 miles N. by E. † E. of Bahala north point,
but their
la,, en jaland about two miles in length north and south, lying in the entrance to Sandakan harbor. The northern southern, rises in wa conspicuous hills 643 and 544 feet high; these slope gradually to the westward, aces are imposing precipices.
Nunuyon Laut and Nunuyon Derat are two low wooded islands lying about two miles northwest of Bahala ; they are almost connected with the mainland.
Sandakan harbor.—Of this magnificent harbor only the part north of Pulo buy has been examined. This portion of it lies in 'NE. and SW. direction, and open to the NE.
At the entrance, between
increases t
the point
Bahala (Bahatolis) and Towsan Dooyon, it is 14 miles wide, from which place it gradually
detakse barur of rather more than three miles diameter.
The northan shore is
1
hilly; two of these hills are very conspicuous from seaward-one, on being 614 feet high, the other, a three-peaked hill, is 844 feet high; and both, like Bahala, slope gradually on the western side and are somewhat precipitous on the castern.
Elopura, the principal town, I Is built on the north shore, three-quarters of a mile from the point. In the early part of 1881 the population was about 800, composed principally of Malays, Chinese, and Sulus.
Dangers The only danger is the Atjeh rock, lying 600 yards SE. of the end of the wooden pier at Elopura; it has 21 fathoms of water on it at low water springs. There was a small black buoy on it in 1881.
Anchorage.—The most convenient anchorage is from half to three-quarters of a mile to the south of the town, in eight or nine fathoms, mud.
Supplies.--No fresh provisions could be procured in Sandakan in 1881. Water is plentiful and good. Excellent fire-wood was obtained at the rate of seven or eight dollars per thousand pieces (one thousand pieces were found to be equal to about 24 cwts. of coal, and occupied a space of 240 cubic feet).
MALLAWALLÉ CHANNEL TO SANDAKAN HARBOR.
Directions.—The route most commonly adopted by vessels trading on this coast is that through the Mallawallé channel, thence south of Kukuban, Tigabu, and Sipeendung, north of Leonan, passing midway between it and the small reefs north-eastward. From this position a course may be shaped to pass about 4 or five miles north of Billean.
This route is probably the shortest; the principal difficulties are the two isolated rocks south of Kukuban and the narrowness of the channel south of Sipeendung. The dangers south of Kukuban may be avoided by adopting the route north of Kukubang kid the reef lying E SE. of it, and then either proceed south of Tigabu and Sipeendung, as before, or through the channel between Ti
Tirabu and Tībakkam, Torth of Tigabu reefs; thence north of Sipeendung, east of Sandy island, passing through the channel between Leonan and the reef north-eastward of it; with due care but little difficulty will be found in navigating these channels.
Most of the dangers are easily seen from the masthead except when the sun is right ahead, and the numerous islands and wooded cays afford excellent marks for bearings. It will generally be found advisable to take the channel next north of Leonan, as from this position Tagypil will be distinctly visible, and shortly afterwards Billean; whereas by taking a more northern route, there is practically nothing to guide the navigator, and he will probably get foul of the north Billean dangers. Pass Billean island at a distance of from 44 or five miles; Lankayan also should be given a wide berth of about five miles. Having passed Lankayan, no difficulty will be experienced in making Sandakan by passing well northward of Bo-aan and Langaan islands, then between Taganac and the Taganac patches, all dangers will be avoided, and a straight course may be shaped for the mouth of the harbor.
Caution-It should be borne in mind that no reliance can be placed on the position of sand cays which have no vegetation on them; the action of the sea frequently causes them to shift considerably and even disappear.
- Tides.--At Sandakan, it is high water, full and change, at Oh. Om. Springs rise six feet nine inches; neaps vary from one foot to four feet.
At Tigabu it is high water, full and change, at 11h. 38m. Springs rise six feet six inches; neaps vary between 0 feet 10 inches and two feet six inches; at both places the tides during neaps are exceedingly irregular.
In the Mallawallë channel, the flood was observed to run to the eastward and the ebb to the westward, and at springs had a velocity of about 24 knots.
On the coast between Malláwallé and Sandakan no regular tidal stream was perceptible, but when the NE. monsoon blew steadily there appeared to be a constant set to the NW.~ (H. N. 2-'83.)
(Bearings magnetic. Variation, 2o easterly in 1883.)
(British Admiralty Hydrographic Notice, No. 29, London.)
This Notice affects the following Charts, &c. :
Hydrographic Office:
3. Nos. 529 and 799, “China Sea, Southern portion, Eastern Sheet.”
British Admiralty:
**3. Nos. 2683, 2488, 96603, 948 2576 and 950, Sandakan Bay. Salling Directions:
"Sailing Directory for the Indian Archipelago, China, and Japan," 2d edition, 1878, pages 917, 918, 515, 518 and 519 (3).
The China Sea Directory," Vol. II, 1879, pages 153 and 165 (3).
By order of the Bureau of Navigation :
J. C. P. de KRAFFT, Commodore, U. §. N., Hydrographer to the Bureau.
U. S. Hydrographic Office, Washington, D. C., January 10, 1883.