Directory_and_Chronicle_1869 — Page 637

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ILOILO.

At foot is a note of the position in which it is intended to place two lights, which will greatly facilitate the entrance from the south.

In

Anchorage.-The island of Guimarás forms in front of Iloilo a sheltered passage, running nearly N. and S., about 23 miles broad, with deep water and good holding ground, except immediately to the eastward of the fort, where the sand is loose. mid-channel the depths exceed 20 fathoms. The best anohorage, least exposed to the sweep of the tides, is to bring the Bantay (guard house), of the south point of the river to bear N.W. N., with the fort bearing S.W. W. Here a ship is out of the strong- est current, with the advantage that cargo-boats can easily reach her and return.

TO ENTER THE RIVER AND INNER PORT OF ILOILO.-Although the land is low at the entrance, the mouth of the river is distinctly seen, being marked by beacons on the port and starboard sides. On eutering keep the port beacon close on board, after pas- sing which and the watch-house, steer for the second point on the starboard hand, giving it a berth of forty feet. The east bank, with 16 feet, should be closed to this distance until after the first sharp bend of the creek is passed, and then the port side to the wharf or anchorage. Vessels usually bring up at jetties, about half-a-mile to one mile from the entrance, and have the advantage, if of moderate size, of discharging and loading at the stores without employing boats. The creek, or rather tidal river, varies in breadth from a quarter to half-a-mile, and reaches beyond the town of Melo, meet- ing the sea again near Iloilo; and another branch continues as far as Otong.

DEPTH OF WATER.-The depth at the entrance to the river is nearly 5 fathoms at Yow water, but at a short distance within it decreases to 15 feet, and then deepens. The rise of tide being 6 feet, vessels drawing 16 to 18 feet can easily enter and leave; and when, as is proposed, a dredging-machine is employed to clear away the mud which has been allowed to accumulate, vessels of almost any draught will be able to complete their cargo inside. Ships of 1,000 tons register have loaded part cargoes alongside the jetties. The custom is to load to 14 to 15 feet in the river and complete loading outside.

TIDES.--It is high water at Iloilo, full and change, at noon; springs risc 6 feet. The stream runs at springs quite 3 to 4 knots through Iloilo. The flood sets to the northward. The ebb tide to the north of Petitus rocks runs to the eastward, but to the south of these rocks, to the westward.

VARIATION ON THE COMPASS. 1° 15' E.

PROVISIONS AND WATER.-Fresh beef is cheap and good. Good water can always be got a little to the north and south of the village of Pilat, or Buena Vista, on Guimarás. It is best to take up the casks at high water on the beach, and with the aid of the natives till them, so as to be ready to go off with the following tide. Take care to leave a little before high water, so as to be sure of reaching the ship, as the tide changes suddenly, and runs down with great strength.

REPAIRS. The river of Iloilo affords considerable facilities for heaving vessels down. At the fine port of Santa Anna, on the island of Guimarás, is a building-yard.

PORT DUES.-On foreign vessels arriving and leaving in ballast, 12 cents per ton, with cargo inwards or outwards, or both, 25 cents per ton. Payment at one port clears for the other open ports of the Philippines in a proportional extent.

MANIFEST.This document must be certified by the Spanish Consul at the port from which the vessels arrive, under penalty of a fine of $200. This also applies to vessels in ballast.

MONEY.-The currency is confined to Spanish and South American dollars and subdivisions, and to the $1, $2, and $4, gold pieces coined in Manila.

WAGES. The wages of labourers for shipping average from 25 to 30 cents a day; Carpenters 31 to 50 cents; Caulkers 37 cents.