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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH NOVEMBER, 1881.
(2) Sunken Danger Northward of Sandakan Harbour.
Also, of the existence of a sunken danger lying about 10 miles northward of the entrance to Sandakan harbour:-- This dangerous rock with less than 6 feet over it at low water, lies with the following bearings, viz. :--
Taganae islet summit Bahala
Position approximate, lat. 5° 58′ 30′′ N., long. 118° 13′ 0′′ E.
.N. 773o E. .S. 10 W.
(The bearings are Magnetic. Variation 2o Easterly in 1881.)
By Command of their Lordships,
Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London, 14th July, 1881.
FREDK, J. EVANS,
Hydrographer.
This Notice affects the following Admiralty Chart:-China sea, southern portion, No. 26607.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.--No. 404.
The following Hydrographic Notices are published for general information.
By His Excellency's Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 19th November, 1881.
M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Colonial Secretary.
The information contained in this Notice is to be carefully considered, to be noted in the Sailing Directions, and compared with the chart when the ship is navigating the parts to which it refers.
HYDROGRAPHIC NOTICE. [No. 19.]
CHINA SEA DIRECTORY, Vol. IV. NOTICE NO. 12.
The following information relating chiefly to islands and dangers southward of Yedo gulf, Japan, resulting from the reports of Commander C. L. Huntington, commanding the U. S. S. Alert, 1880, is reproduced from United States Hydro- graphic Notice, No. 94 of 1880.
[All Bearings are Magnetic. Variation.
Westerly in 1881.]
Bonin islands 0° 30′. River Min 1o. Yangtse Kiang 2o.
1
AOGA-SIMA (Awo-ga-Shima) is of irregular volcanic formation, 3 miles long, one mile wide, and by barom- etric measurement, 1,000 feet high. It appeared old, as the lava was rotten and much disintegration going on; scoriæ, sandstone, and traces of iron, with lava in masses, composing the bulk of it. No signs of any extinct crater were seen, the highest crest of the land extending north-west und south-east with no tendency to a circular form.
Nearly all sides of the island being bluff and steep, paths exist apparently only on the northern and eastern sides, where, in a small indentation, well out of reach of the sea, the inhabitants stow their boats and fishing utensils, these being after the same pattern as those in use by the Japanese of the mainland. The houses are scattered about in the lower parts of the island, and are low and large, with widely overhanging thatched roofs, and are either built upon or surrounded by loosely made stone walls. The domestic animals are quartered close by the houses, the whole compound being foul and damp.
There Cultivation. The high land on the northern and western sides of the island appears to be well cultivated. is very little timber, but a small hardy trec is used to border and protect the fields. The soil under cultivation is thin and loose, producing barley, peas, beans, sweet potatoes, and daikon (à favourite Japanese radish). No rice was seen.
Geographical position.-The latitude by sea observation and the longitude by observations on shore with the artificial horizon (three chronometers) gave the position of the centre of Aoga-sima in lat. 32° 29′ N., long. 139° 43′ 41′′ E. The inhabitants-estimated at between 200 and 300—are a rude, uncultivated, and neglected people, the descend- ants of criminals, with a few fishermen from the neighbouring islands. Many of them are in ill-health from both skin disease and want of nutriment. They live upon fish, sweet potatoes, and barley, with the addition of the vegetables before mentioned. They have also a few cattle, the silkworm, an alcoholic beverage, and a wild berry similar to the raspberry. Their principal drink consists of the leaves of a native plant mixed with some genuine tea leaves, a little tea being grown on the island. They state that fish are abundant.
Landing. The landing place on the north-east side of the island is impracticable for ships' boats, being so exposed that even with a smooth sea the surf rolls in heavily. Ships' boats can approach the landing, just outside the surf, native boats being procured to make the transfer to the shore. The shore at the landing consists of small boulders and stones, It is quite steep and bold; there is no sandy beach, but the surf many of them worn smooth by the action of the water. breaks close in. A short distance from the water there are high, rocky cliffs.
Directions. The landing place can be easily distinguished by some huts in its vicinity. There is a sharp rock a short distance from the shore, which rises about 8 feet above water, but this mark is not prominent until close in. When approaching from the northward in boats to land, keep the huts on the port bow and make a good allowance for the easterly set of the current; the 8-feet rock as soon as seen should be kept on the starboard hand.
Anchorage. No information could be gained in regard to any position around the shores of Aoga-sima which would give anchorage or shelter to craft even of the smallest description.
Supplies. No fuel or stores of any kind can be procured.
See Admiralty chart of Japan, No. 2,347, and Pacific ocean, north-west, sheet No. 781.