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No. 121.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 29TH NOVEMBER, 1862.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The attention of Commanders of Vessels and others is particularly called to the following Notice received from Mr. Reed, R.N.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 24th November, 1862.
W. H. ALEXANDER, Acting Colonial Secretary.
NOTICE.
To Commanders of Vessels and others interested in the Navigation of the China Sea.
H. M. Steam Surveying Vessel Rifleman having been commissioned, at the instance of Rear Admiral Washington F. R. S. Hydrographer to the Admiralty, for the continuance of the China Sea Survey recently carried on in II. M. S. Saracen,--more especially with the object of fixing the positions of the reefs and dangers which exist, and of clearing the chart of those which are found not to exist, in the China Sea and different routes to China, Commanders of Vessels are in- vited to co-operate in this important service by forwarding to Singapore the results of their experience, or any information they are at present or may afterwards become possessed of, bearing on the objects of the Survey.
It is of the greatest importance that all information should be as close and minute as possible. Objects transit are in- valuable as affording lines of direction. An astronomical or true bearing of one object and angles from that object to others, are of much greater value than several compass bearings. When it is not possible to obtain an Astronomical bearing, a care- ful compass bearing must be substituted, and the angles taken from that object to others. It is of advantage to take several compass bearings, but in addition to, not as substitutes for, angles.
Angles are of the utmost value in picking up dangers of small extent and lying some miles off the land. It is extremely difficult and entails much loss of time to find such dangers with only compass bearing, although there may be several such bearings given.
In illustration of these remarks, may be mentioned the circumstance that in the Survey of the Tambelan Islands, just completed in the Rifleman, two days were lost in finding the Europe Shoal and four days in finding the Rodger Rock, although in both instances more than ordinary care had been taken to obtain their positions by their discoverers, and, in the last instance, a transit was given which furnished the means, ultimately, of finding the rock.
The position of these dangers is given Hors. Vol. II Page 304. Now a few angles from the Europe Shoal and one angle from the transit given by Capt. Rodgers ("The highest Tambelan in line with Pulo Jarrang") to Green Island, would have enabled us to find them in an hour.
Transits should also be minutely described, thus, in the above instance, it would have been of much greater value had it been noted as follows "Tambelan Peak seen over the right apex of Large Jarrang" this would have enabled us to follow the exact line down until we must have found the rock. As it was, we anchored first as nearly as possible in the bearings given, and sent our four boats starring round the ship; failing in this, we were three days steaming about with looks out on the yard arms, boats on either beam and every possible means in force, before we found it.
Of course it is of the greatest importance to the success of our work that we should not lose time and fritter away day after day in the fine season (when only we can work) in searching for dangers which exist somewhere else than where described; close and accurate information is of all things therefore, the most valuable to us.
Commanders of Vessels and others who have been long employed making passages up and down the China Sea, could do a very useful service by causing extracts of their Log books to be made shewing the Winds and Weather they have ex- perienced in the different months of the year. It is very desirable to accumulate a mass of information on such points, and those gentlemen who kindly assist in carrying out the objects of this survey may rely upon the due acknowledgement of their labours. It will at all times afford the greatest pleasure to the Commander and Officers of the Rifleman to furnish informa- tion to, or in any way possible to them to assist, the Officers of other services.
Singapore, 6th October, 1862.
JOHN WM. REED, Master in Command of “Rifleman” and in charge of China Sea Survey.
No. 122.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
It is hereby notified that Her Majesty has been pleased to approve M. GODEAUX's appointment as French Consul at Hongkong.
By Order,
W. H. ALEXANDER, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 26th November, 1862.
No. 123.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
His Excellency The Acting Governor has been pleased to recognize E. FRANCIS PARKER, Esq., as Acting Vice-Consul for Russia at this Port, during the absence of John Heard, Esq., in Europe, and subject to the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 27th November, 1862..
W. H. ALEXANDER,
Acting Colonial Secretary.