Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 271

1841.

Chusan Archipelago.

259

rocks on the Taouhwa shan side, and an island with a sharp peak (half a cable off the northern extreme of which is a rock), form the boundaries.

Taou-hwa shan) shore is bold and precipitous. The peak rises to the height of 1680 feet. Near the western end the island becomes very low, rising however again towards the extreme, where it is surmounted by a peculiar crag, which will be recognized nearly throughout all the southeastern part of the archipelago.

The depth of water in the channel is 60 fathoms in some parts, and the tide is very strong. It will, however, be found a convenient passage to sea from Chusan during the northwesterly monsoon: the distance from Elephant island to the open sea, by this passage, being only 17 miles. It should not however be attempted in light winds, as vessels are liable to be becalmed, and to experience flaws, under the high land of Taouhwa shan. The passage is 8 miles through, and from its northeast entrance to Round-about island the distance is 5 miles, N. 41° W.

Sarah Galley passage. This passage is by no means so eligible as those already mentioned. The entrance is situated N. 12° E., 21 miles from the Kewshan group, near which will be seen the Jansen rock, a steep cliff islet with a reef 14 cable from the east extreme. Another rock, uncovered at half tide, bears from the Jansen S. 25° W., 1.3 mile. From it the highest part of Oswamong island bears N. 75° W., 1.8 mile, and the highest part of Taouhwa shan S. 5° E. The coast line of Oswamong is high cliffs, and off the southeastern extreme is a ledge of rocks.

Oswamong is called by the Chinese Woosha, or Usha, that is, 'Black sand.'

Two patches of rock. South of Oswamong, 5 cables, are two patches of rock, lying northwest-half-west and southeast-balanst from each other, not quite 2 cables apart. From the sonthe is?"}} patch the Jansen bears N. 52° E., and a flat peaked island between them and Taouhwa shan S. 16° E. Very high tides may cover them, but they are generally above water. The distance between thei and some rocks extending from the north extreme of the flat peaked island is 7 cables. There is no bottom with 31 fathoms in the vici- nity of the rocks, after passing which the course is west 24 mil«?, leaving two small islets with a reef between them to the southwyd The channel is here 7 cables broad, between Tangfow on the so sin,. and an island (with a hut on its summit and a reef of rocks off the southeast extreme) to the northward. From hence the course is S.