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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 15TH OCTOBER, 1864.
Though the Northern passage just described is safe and convenient in the Northerly Monsoon, and is always used by coasters in both seasons, strangers will probably prefer the route along the West Coast of Panay, making Iloilo from the South. This route should always be adopted during the S. W. monsoon. Making the Western Coast of Panay from the Mindoro Strait, this const, comprising the province of Antique, should be closed, as the Westerly monsoon is not very regular and does not often blow strongly between the Cuyos Islands and Panay, or to the North of Basilan. It may be approached with safety any where to the Southward of the islands of Barbatan and Maralison, which latter has a reef to the East and West. Barbatan, which is very steep, affords with Lipata (under this latter point), the only available anchorage on the Antique coast during the S. W. monsoon, but in the N. E. monsoon the harbour of San Jose de Buenavista, is quite safe and affords good supplies of provisions and water, being not unfrequently visited by whalers for that purpose.
The south Coast of Panay is free from dangers till near the town of Otong. The coast of Guimaras to the north of Point Balingasag, or to the north of Port St. Ana is likewise safe. This Port is capable of admitting vessels of large tonnage and affords shelter under almost any circumstances. The Bights along the coast have deep water and vessels can work close in shore, or from point to point, with perfect safety; but generally there is no good anchorage, as the coast is steep and the holding-ground not good.
In passing the S.W. point of Panay during the night the islands of Juraojurao and Nogas should not be closed, as both have reafs round them to the southward. When clear of these islands, on rounding the S. W. point of Panay, vessels may safely steer N. E. b. E 32 miles without any danger, but after running that distance they should heave to during the night, or if the night is very clear, run towards the Panay shore, keeping the lead going, and when the water shoals, anchoring till daylight, as by keeping over to the Guimaras shore (particularly in the N. E. monsoon,) they will find no anchorage and will lose ground. It is necessary to follow the above instructions carefully, because the Otong Bank extends more to the West and South West than is shown on the present published chart, and is yearly increasing, and also because the tide runs very strongly on both sides of it. With the flood tide (against the N. E. monsoon), vessels can easily work up in short tacks under Guimaras shore. The Otong Bank is eight miles in length N. E. & S. W., by 24 miles N. W. b W., and S. E. b E, at its broadest part. It is of fine sand with depths varying from to 3 fathoms. The edges in some paces are steep to, and others shoal gradually. To avoid this danger, vessels should, after closing Guimaras, keep that shore on board and be careful in beating up not to close the Panay side to less than four fathoms, and not to stand further from the Guimaras shore than half-a-mile until point Cabalig bears S. b. W. W. 22 miles when they should stand across and open the fort of Iloilo clear of Point Bondulan, which kept open will clear the Guimaras Bank lying between Points Cabalig and Bondulan. Care should be taken in standing across towards the Otong bank, to tack as soon as the water shoals to 6 fathoms, as the bank there is steep to. After passing Point Bondu- lan, the fort should not be brought to the Eastward of N. E. b E.
Guimaras Bank, with 11 feet on its shoalest part, extends in a N. E. b N., and S. W. b S. direction a little over a mile, and about three Cables East and West, with deep water all round. The S. W. head bears from Point Bondulan N. N. E. § E. 1 miles. Iloilo fort kept open of Point Bondulan will clear this danger.
These banks have been recently surveyed in May 1864, by the officers of the Spanish “Hydrographical Commission,” but the charts have not yet been published. At foot is a note of the positions in which it is intended to place two lights which will greatly facilitate the entrance from the South.
ANCHORAGE.-The island of Guimaras forms in front of Iloilo a sheltered passage running nearly N. & S., about 24 miles broad, with deep water and good holding ground except, immediately to the eastward of the fort where the sand is loose. In mid channel the depths exceed 20 fathoms. The best anchorage, least exposed to the sweep of the tides, is to bring the Bantay (guard house,) on the south point of the river to bear N. W. N., with the Fort bearing S. W. W. Here a ship is out of the strongest currents, with the advantage that cargo-boats can easily reach her and return.
TO ENTER THE RIVER AND INNER PORT OF ILOILO.-Although the land is low at the entrance, the mouth of the river is distinctly seen, being marked by beacons on the port and starboard sides. On entering, keep the port beacon close on board, after passing which and the watch house, steer for the second point on the starboard hand, giving it a berth of forty feet. The east bank, with 16 to 40 feet, should be closed to this distance until after the first sharp bend of the creek is passed, and then the port side to the wharf or anchorage. Vessels usually bring up at jetties, about a mile to one mile from the entrance, and have the advantage, if of moderate size, of discharging and loading at the stores without employing boats. The creek or rather tidal river varies in breadth from a quarter to half a mile, and reaches beyond the town of Molo, meeting the sea again near Iloilo; and another branch continues as far as Otong.
DEPTH OF WATER.-The depth at the entrance to the river is nearly 5 fms. at low water, but at a short distance within it decreases to 15 feet, and then deepens again. The rise of tide being 6 feet, vessels drawing 16 to 18 feet can easily enter and leave; and when, as is proposed, a dredging-machine is employed to clear away the mud which has been allowed to accumulate, vessels of almost any draught will be able to complete their cargo inside. Ships of 1,000 tons register have load- ed part cargoes alongside the jetties. The custom is to load to 14 or 15 feet in the river and complete lading outside.
TIDES. It is high water at Iloilo, full and change, at noon. Springs rise 6 feet. The stream runs at springs quite The ebb tide to the north of the Pepitas rocks runs
3 to 4 knots through Iloilo channel. The flood sets to the northward. to the Eastward, but to the south of these rocks to the westward.
VARIATION OF THE COMPASS.-1° 15′ E.
PROVISIONS AND WATER.-Fresh Beef is cheap and good. Good water can always be got a little to the north and south of the village of Pilat or Buenavista, on Guimaras. It is best to take up the casks at high water on the beach and with the aid of the Natives fill them so as to be ready to go off with the following tide, taking care to leave a little before high water so as to be sure of reaching the ship, as the tide changes suddenly, and runs down with great strength.
REPAIRS. The river of Iloilo affords considerable facilities for heaving vessels down. At the fine port of Santa Ana, on the island of Guimaras, is a building-yard.
In 1863 twenty-five ships loaded Sugar at Iloilo, mostly for China and Australia. During this year (1864) the direct exports of Sugar are chiefly to Great Britain.
PORT-DUES.-On foreign vessels arriving and leaving in ballast, 12 cents per ton; with cargo inwards or outwards or both, 25 cents per ton. Payment at one port clears for the other open ports of the Philippines in a proportional extent.
MANIFEST.-This document must be certified by the Spanish Consul at the port from which the vessels arrive, under penalty of a fine of $200. This also applies to vessels in ballast.
MONEY.-The currency is confined to Spanish and South American dollars and their subdivisions, and to the $1, $2, and $4, gold pieces coined in Manila.