Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 664

622

Journal of Occurrences.

Nov

Leaving the Saddle Islands, keep the North Saddle bearing about 8.E. by E. to pass Gutzlaff I., at a distance of about fifteen or sixteen miles; and no stranger ought to enter the river without seeing Gutzlaff, until some mark be erected for the North Sandhead. Thus far, the tide sets N.W. by W. and S E. by E., from one and-a-half to three and-a-half knots; but it is affected greatly, both in direction and velocity, by the prevailing wind.

Steering on to the north-westward, bring Gutzlaff to bear 8.S E., and sink it on that bearing, which will be at a distance of about twenty-two or twenty. three miles; after which steer N.W. ¡W., and if the low land is not soon seen on the port bow from the mast head, keep more westerly by the lead, which is here a safe guide. The deepest water is near the north bank, which should always be approached with caution, as it shoals very suddenly. When the first point bears W. by N. or W., the water deepens to six fathoins; this point should be passed about two miles off, as the bank extends a long way out, and there are several knolls off it, on which ships have touched. Having passed the point, gradually close with the shore to a mile, and keep it about that distance, until the beacon at Wösung is seen. If working up from the Saddle Islands, do not bring Gutzlaff to the eastward of south, until fifteen or sixteen miles to the northward of it, when it may be brought to bear S.S.E., and you will then be on the edge of the South bank. You may now stand to the westward, nearly into the vessel's draught, bearing in mind that the flood sets W.S.W. round the S.E. edge of it, and the ebb contrary. All vessels should keep as near as possible to this bank, and not wait for a shoal cast to tack when standing to the north-eastward.

I think the defect in the directions hitherto given, is chiefly, that vessels are not advised to get hold of the South bank as soon as possible.

From the Saddle Islands to Wusung, the tide generally sets N.W. by W. and S.E. by E. when fully made, if no cause, such as N.E gales or heavy rains interfere; but the flood makes first to the southward, then 3. W., and N.W. at the entrance of the river; the ebb making North, passing by N.E. to SE, and it is at turn of tide that most caution is necessary, to avoid being set out of the channel. I have found the set of the ship pretty correctly by the deep sea lend, and have, on several occasions, gone up the river at night by its guidance. Having passed the first point, which the "Conway's" surveyors mention to be distinguishable by a large tree (although I could never make out any tree there sufficiently remarkable),-work up from three-quarters of a mile to two miles off shore, and do not wait for a second shoal cast on the North side. The narrowest part of the channel is where the house on Blockhouse Island bears N.E. by E. It is here about a mile and-a-quarter wide.

When the ships at Wusung are open, a peaked tower near the town of Paushan will be seen to the westward; and on the embankment in front of it, a beacon, which must be kept a little open to the southward of the tower, until another large beacon at the entrance of the Shanghai river is on, between two joss-poles behind it, painted red, and bearing W.S.W. This last is an excellent mark for the channel, which is very contracted. The beacon may be brought a little open on each side of the poles, and the water shoals gradually on each side; but the tide does not set exactly fair through.

Chinese pilots are in attendance here in sanpans, although with a fair wind they are not required, as Collinson's Chart of the Shanghai river is very good. The foregoing remarks apply to vessels of a heavy draught; say eighteen feet. Sinall craft may use much more freedom, closing with the South bank when Gutzlaff is twelve or fifteen miles off to the southward, and working up with the lead for a guide, never coming over half three fathoms to the north-eastward. The southern shore is to be depended on all the way; but when within ten miles of Wasung, the bank is very steep, and should not be approached under three-quarters of a mile.

I offer the following suggestions for rendering the navigation of the Yang- tsz kiáng comparatively safe and simple, which may be effected at a trifling cost, considering the valuable trade of Shanghai.

There is, off the southern end of the North Sand, a spit or patch, having four and five fathoms close to on each side, which is the principal danger on enter-