CO129-407 - Public Offices & Others - 1913 — Page 71

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course when 620 miles distance from that port and have then to shane course to pass the Paracela then 420 miles

distance.

In this case there is ample scope for a low powered

vessel to be set sufficiently out of her course by cur-

renta to make the Paracels ahead. The lighting of the

southern approach to the Paracels is therefore undoubtedly

a desideratum.

When, however, one comes to consider the means by

which the lighting can be effected, what are practically

insuperable difficulties are found to exist. The length

that requires guarding is one of some 80 miles. To the

extreme west is Triton Island, on which a light could be

established at probably a not inordinate cost To the

extreme East is Bombay Reef, with no island associated

with it and on which the erection of a light in that

typhoon infested locality would be an enormous engineer-

ing undertaking costing an enormous sum.

reas.

Would a light on Triton Island be of any service?

I am of opinion that it would not. It is on the side

of the reef area which it is not customary to pass, and

where the currents are strongest. The light could hardly

have a range in excess of 20 miles. It would be im-

proper for a vessel to attempt to make the light, i.e.

to shape course to pass the reefs at a nearer distance

than 40 miles, and the use of the light would therefore

only be in respect to a vessel which happened to get

into range by accident, and it would thus guard only

'ar

Q

Bome