8
up the water inside the harbour. The "Merlin" had only northerly winds and calms, and remained swung to the northward during the whole of the two days she was
anchored in Port Hamilton.
Suitability of Observatory Island for Dockyard.
Observatory Island offers many advantages which would recommend it as a suitable place for the erection of a dockyard. It is entirely uninhabited, has some level ground on it near the beach, good landing-places, a boat camber, and a small harbour where gunboats might refit. The disadvantages are, that it would be rather far away from the most suitable anchorage for big ships, and that strong tides are said at times to set through the narrows between Observatory and the larger island.
Exposed to influence of Japan Stream.
Port Hamilton appears from its mild climate to be more or less under the influence of the Japan Stream, and both on our arrival at and on leaving the neighbourhood of this place, a sudden change in the temperature of the salt water clearly indicated the presence of a warm current.
Navigation near Quelpart.
Great caution appears to be necessary in navigating to the northward of Quelpart, when approaching Port Hamilton, for the sets are very strong and variable, and with a northerly wind coming on suddenly a ship might find herself on a dead lee shore which is rock bound, and steep too. It would hardly seem prudent on the other hand to navigate the southern coast of Quelpart until the position of the Naboska Rock has been accurately fixed.
THE SANITARY QUESTION.
Islands healthy.
The question of the healthiness of the Nam How Group appears to be beyond a doubt.
Small-Pox.
The usual proportion of the natives were marked with small-pox, but all seemed vigorous and strong, whilst many ruddy faces were to be seen amongst the children.
Sea clear.
The water in the port is blue and clear, very unlike the muddy colour of most Chinese harbours.
Rainfall.
The islands not being thickly wooded, the rainfall there is probably not very great, whilst with the absence of decaying vegetable matter is removed one great cause of malarious diseases in summer.
Absence of Fruit.
The absence of fruit from the port would probably produce a lower sick list, by fewer cases requiring treatment for dysentery and diarrhoea, than is usual on the China
station.
Service as Sanatarium.
A well-ordered naval depôt at Port Hamilton would probably, in course of time, become also a sanatorium to the nation possessing it.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
Neglect by Owners.
From what has been said, it will be seen that Port Hamilton with its many natural
. facilities has not only not been made use of by its present owners, but that no steps appear to have been taken by them to prevent ite falling into the hands of any nation which chooses to provide a pretext for seizing it.
9
Food Supply.
227
Port Hamilton, depending on the outside for its main food supply, is essentially the port of a strong Naval Power, for though it might be made to stand a long siege, during the temporary absence of its own fleet on some other service (as in the case of Gibraltar), yet, were the power to which it belonged permanently weakened at sea, the capitulation of the port would only then become a question of time.
Relations with Natives probably amicable.
The natives themselves would probably learn to live amicably with any new neighbours by whom they were kindly treated; but there seems much cause to fear that in no very distant future these contented peaceable people will share the common fate of the weak, who have the misfortune to hold property the possession of which is of essential importance to the strong. It will be found necessary to improve their condition.
| PUBLIC RECORD.OFFICE
Reference :-
PLLC.O.537 33
M...imailu
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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