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Coast of China and Corea.
JULY,
by W., 5 or 6 leagues from the Cap. We anchored in a small bay to examine the coast. This anchorage is protected from N. W. to S. W. winds, but otherwise exposed. The bay is formed by an island upon the south side, and high bold land to the north. Here fresh water may be had. The inhabitants were civil.
Victoria gulf. From this place, the coast trended away to the northward and westward, into a deep bay or gulf, with good shelter and excellent anchorages. The distance across, at the entrance, is about 13 miles, with two islands nearly in the centre. They are high, and appear as three, one having a neck of sand which is covered at high water. The gulf may be easily known by these islands and a very high black looking hill on the main. The depth of water at the entrance is 21 and 20 fathoms. On running in, the water soon shoaled to 10, 9, 8, and 7 fathoms. We ran in direct for the hill, and carried the latter depth to the entrance of a fine haven, where we anchored 0.8 of a mile off shore.
Plenty of cattle were seen on the hills, but the natives appeared hostile, coming down in hundreds armed with matchlocks and spears. The entrance is in latitude 38° 56′ N., and longitude 121° 50′ E. The northwestern side, or head of the gulf, was examined, and good anchorages found (protected from all winds), in 5 and 51⁄2 fathoms, stiff mud.
F
E. N. E. from the islands, at the entrance of the gulf, and about 5 leagues distant, is a dangerous reef, which lies some distance off the coast.
11 appeared about 1 mile in extent, and level with the water's edge; we passed two miles to the southward, having 35 fa- thoms. From this we steered E. by S. for the south extreme of a num. ber of islands, and found good shelter on the east side of an island, in latitude 39° 2′ N., and longitude 122° 49′ E. This anchorage northerly winds.
is in 17 fathoms, and well protected from all but There are two islands 4 miles to the eastward of this, lying N. and S., which form a channel with deep water. Stock of every de- scription and vegetables were abundant; but water was scarce. The high water, on full and change days, is at 6h., and the rise and fall 6 feet. Variation of the compass 2° 30′ W.
There is a remarkable rock, bearing S. S. W. from the south point of the island, distant 6 miles, appearing like a junk under sail. It is high, and may be seen 4 or 5 leagues. We passed inside of it, and had no bottom with 30 fathoms. P.
Coast of Corea. H. M. ship Blonde weighed from Victoria gulf, on the 21st of September, and ran between the north island and the