THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH SEPTEMBER, 1869.
405
Several rocks are omitted from the Admiralty Chart, No. 358, which exist above water, they extend N. 60° E. 35 miles from Kata-sima (Kaba-sima), and some islets which run from the south end of Saki-to-sima are also not shown.
Oüsima.—The north side of Oösima is rocky, and there are no safe anchorages round the island.
Mats-sima. The passage between Mats-sima and the mainland is full of rocks and ledges, and should not be used without local knowledge.
Ha-ko-sima.—A small rocky islet north-east of the Arched rock (Kashé), has shoal water extending 2 cables from its
northern side.
Nagasaki Light House.-A lighthouse has been erected on the end of a narrow ridge 189 feet above the sea, distant 14 cables from the extreme north point of Iwo-sima. The light will be shown from an iron tower, hexagonal in shape, painted white, with a gilt ball on the top. It is not known when the light will be exhibited.
Simabura Gulf.-The rock reported by Captain Stevens, of the steamship Filipino, lies at the entrance of the Gulf, and uncovers 5 feet at low water. It bears N. 20° W. from the east extreme of Tsuji-sima, and N. 64° W. from east extreme of Oösima.
The Wilhelmina Elisa, Dutch Brig, has described a rock 7 feet above low water, nearly in the centre of the head of the Simabara gulf. From it Take-saki bears S. by W. W., Siwoda Gawa N.W. by W. W. A rocky reef also stretches from Take-sima point in a south-east direction for 1 miles. The head of the gulf is shallow and full of dangers, and vessels navi- gating it should avoid the very turbulent chow-chow (or disturbed water).
Sagitsu Bay-This harbour has been recently surveyed, and the channel leading to the narrow passage found rocky and uneven. Only 4 fathoms can be carried at low water, along the northern shore, instead of 9 fathoms as shown on the Admiralty Chart, No. 359. Cormorant inlet also is almost closed by the bank of shingle which extends across, and in the channel only one fathom at low water can be obtained.
Inland Sea.--Lieut. Rochfort, of H.M. Gun-Vessel Firm, communicates the following information, as derived from Captain Von Gogh, of H.N.M.S. Curaça, who has partially surveyed the anchorage of Mitarai :
The anchorage of Mitarai is about half a mile in extent N.N.W. and S.S.E. and 2 to 3 cables in width. No rocks were dis- covered by the Dutch officers, and the native pilots say that none exist. There is shelter from all winds except those between S.E. to S.S.W., and an outer anchorage 14 cables to the eastward of the small stone pier at the southern end of Mitarai, but a heavy swell sets in with a south-westerly gale.
A ̊5 fathom patch was found about 1 cables north-east of the north wall (white top) of Mitarai. Large vessels should not proceed so far up, but may anchor in 13 fathoms, midway between the north wall of Mitarai and the small stone pier on the opposite shore. Springs rise 12 feet.
CHINA.*
(Variation, 0° 45′ Westerly in 1869.)
Great Yang-tse Bank.-The breakers said to have been seen from the Steam Ship Costa Rica, in lat. 32° 10' N., 125° 3′ E., were carefully searched for but not found; 25 fathoms were obtained on the spot, with even depths all round, in long. a space of 15 miles square.
River Min.-A survey of the banks and channels at the entrance of this river was made during the month of November. Considerable alterations have taken place since the surveys of 1833 and 1854; the southern portion of the outer banks has shoaled up, while a channel on the north side has opened out, having 15 feet at low water springs over the outer bar. The Pilots are fully informed of this new channel, and buoys and beacons have been proposed to facilitate the navigation.
It would be imprudent to risk taking ships in without a pilot, but the unlicensed Chinese pilots of the White Dogs are not to be trusted, notwithstanding their numerous testimonials. The Sylvia was put on the South knoll by them in clear weather.
The small Round island in line with the first gap left of the Serrated peak, W.S.W., leads over the Outer bar and up the channel, until Kushan peak is in the middle of the saddle of Square peak bearing W. S. with these latter marks, run in until the highest part (white patch) of west Brother is on with the right fall of east Brother N.W. by W. W., which leads over the Inner bar, in 10 feet at low water. This bar is very narrow, and the marks must be carefully attended to.
JAPAN,
The following information, relative to the navigation of the coasts and harbours of Japan, has been derived from the remark book of Staff Commander David Moore, of II.M.S. Ocean.
Inland Sea, Harima Nada.-Ye-saki point on Awadji island, just open of Ead Hill, appears to be a good mark for running into the Harima Nada to the southward of the island of Sozu-sina. Tomo-sima is high, so is Katoya-sima, the latter being about half the height of the former.
Bingo Nada. The northernmost clump of trees on Usi-sima, in a line with the north point of Takami, appears to be an excellent mark to pass in 7 fathoms between Nezumi-sima shoal and the shoal extending from the southward of the island of Sayanagi. Discoloured water appeared to extend to the south-west of Oki-sima for some distance, with a tide ripple rather close to the "route line."
Kurisima Strait-Should be navigated at slack water, as the stream when running to the northward carries a vessel rather close to the south-east part of Ko-sima, within the ripple shown in the plan.
Iyo Nada-Kosii island, lying to the southward of the route in the Iyo Nada, is of moderate height and thickly covered with trees.
The two rocks to the south-east of Nuku-sima, and also the three rocks which extend from Futakami towards Tsuri, are high. Yuri island appears as two islands when to the north-east or south-west of it. The small island to the southward of Minasi, and not nained in the chart, is high.
Simonoseki Strait.-H.M.S. Ocean steamed through the middle channel in not less than 5 fathoms, with Hino Yama bearing W. N. Care should be taken on approaching Mozi-saki point not to mistake a wooded hill, which stands over the clump of trees forming the leading mark between the Kanabuse rock and the Tano bank, for the clump itself. The Ocean anchored with Mozi hill top on with the Observation point E. & N., and Kusa-taki just shut in with Mozi point, but this anchorage cannot be recommended, as the eddy on the flood tide caused the ship to swing round so as to foul her anchor.
The beacons on the Kanabuse, and also that on the Manaita rocks, are down. The Simonoseki strait should if possible be always navigated during slack water.
jino Sra.-A rock awash has been reported, nearly midway between the islands of Sima, Bara and Tsugi-sima in the catrance to the Oyano sea, with the west end of the latter island S.S.W. 3 W., north part of Tomioka W.S.W., and the western part of Sina Bara peninsula North.
Kago-sima Gulf.-There is no passage between Tsiring-sima and Tahlia Bluff point, the sea being observed to break right across.
A large fort is in the course of construction on Parkers shoal, forming a capital mark; it being about 25 feet above high The castle in the sketch of Kago-sima cannot be seen from the gulf. A temple at the back of the town is likely to be mistaken for it.
water.
*
See Admiralty Charts, Japan, No. 2347; River Min, No. 2410; China, sheet v, No. 1761; also Chiua Pilot, pages 145 and 262.