338
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 6TH JULY, 1878.
Coral reefs, with apparently deep water between, extend 1 to 2 miles from the south side of Boe islands. Anchorage may be obtained in 7 to 8 fathoms in a small bay between the two westernmost islands, it is however somewhat obstructed by coral reefs, and is exposed to southerly and south-easterly winds; this anchorage cannot be recommended except in
emergency.
cases of
Among these islands strong tide rips and overfalls were frequently met with, but on being examined deep water was always found to exist.*
The British barque Sea Star, July 1877, struck and was wrecked on a reef said to extend from the south side of Boe islands. The master states that at the time there was a depth of 12 feet forward, 15 feet amidships, 12 feet abaft, and at a distance of 2 cables from the vessel (in the direction of the island), a depth of 12 fathoms was obtained; also that the following bearings were taken, namely, S.E. extreme of the easternmost Boe island N. by E., about 2 miles, and the west extreme W.S.W. about 3 miles.f
The wreck of the Sea Star occurring at night, the position given must be regarded as uncertain, and considering the nature of the examination by Alert in quest of the rock reported by Agate, it seems probable that both Sea Star and Agate struck on the reef defined by Alert.
Caution.-Vessels sailing through the passage between Boe islands and Popa should give Boe islands a berth of at least 3 miles; and as the neighbourhood of these islands has been only partially surveyed, great care is necessary when navigating this part of the Eastern archipelago.
Geby island.*In the channel between Geby and Fow islands, on the east side of Gillolo passage, depths of 7 to 12 fathoms were obtained, where 10 to 16 fathoms formerly existed; no good landing place for ships' boats could be found in this channel, neither could water be obtained.
The shoals on the east side of Fow island are more extensive than was formerly supposed. I
Ketchepi harbour,* on the north side of Gebi island, is sheltered from winds between S. E. and West, by the south; the anchorage is in 25 to 30 fathoms, decreasing to 6 and 8 fathoms within a few yards of the beach.
Iyoi island* lies 5 miles from the north-east shore of Geby island.
DAMPIER STRAIT.*
Tameay islands in the west entrance to Dampier strait, have, at a distance of 2 to 3 miles to the south-east a line of coral reefs lying parallel to them (in a N.E. and S.W. direction), with apparently deep water between. These islands should be given a berth of at least 4 miles when passing south-east of them.
Foul island (Vuil).—The Alert anchored on the S-fathom patch near Foul island, sonth side of Dampier strait, and found it to be a shoal of considerable extent, having depths of 4 to 9 fathoms; from the centre of this shoal the west end of King William island bore W. by N. N.; opening between Pigeon and Augusta islands, W. by S.; and Foul island S. 3 E.
Augusta island.-The depths along the south and west shores of Augusta island, south side of Dampier strait, vary from 5 to 10 fathoms, and to the northward and westward 4 to 10 fathoms; a 4-fathom patch lies N.N.W., 1 miles from the west point of the island.
Anchorage. The Alert anchored in 10 fathoms coral bottom, with 6 to 10 fathoms close around, to the southward of the opening between Augusta and Pigeon islauds.
King William, and Gamen islands.--The passage between King William island (near the centre and Gamen island on the north side of Dampier strait, has numerous coral reefs with depths cf 30 to The shores of King William island are steep and in morts covered with trees, the north si
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Anchorage. The Alert anchored in 20 fathoms, in lat. 0° 24′ S., long. l.
a large bay on the south side of Gamen island; from the entrance of the bay,
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on it, the west end of Battanta island is seen well open west of King William island.
From a partial examination of this bay 4 to 10 fathoms water were found in the entrance,
several coral reefs having deep water between. Numerous villages were seen on the shores of the bay
of Dampier strait) fathoms between. deep water at a
sation, ce of
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which there are
Waygiou island.§-The Alert when entering Offakrbour on the north side of Waygiou island, north side of
ઢે nier strait, passed over a small shoal of 9 fathoms ly short distance west of the middle of the entrance, on a line joining Forrest and Sugar-loaf points; there are depths bout 27 fathoms in the vicinity of this shoal.
The east side of Waygin island lies in a S. by E. and N. by W. direction.
The passage between Waygiu island, and Buccleugh shoal, at 6 miles to the eastward of it, has several rocky heads nearly awash, 8 fathoms however was the least water obtained by the Alert when passing through.
The following is a consecutive list of Hydrographic Notices relating to the Eastern archipelago published since the year 1866:
No. 1 of the series is No. 1 of the year 1866.
7
1868.
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12
1869.
32
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2
1870.
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11
1870.
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34
1870.
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14
1871.
22
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8
1872.
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1873.
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20
1874.
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11
7
1875.
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24
1875.
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13
26
1875.
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17
22
14
27
1875.
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15
20
1876.
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Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London, 16th March 1878.
* United States Hydrographic Notice, No. 54 of 1877.
+ Board of Trade letter, M 13151, dated 16th October 1877.
See Admiralty sheet of plans :-Anchorages in the Moluccas, No. 915.
$ See Admiraly sheet of plans-Anchorages in the Waygiou island, No. 914.