Directory_and_Chronicle_1871 — Page 693

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ILOILO.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TRADE AND NAVIGATION OF ILOILO.

By Nicolas Loney, Esq., Her Majesty's Vice-Consul.

Vessels bound from Manila, or from Ports to the Northward, during the N.E. monsoon, safely proceed towards Iloilo by the Maricaban passage, between Luzon and Mindoro, and through the chain of Islands off N.E. coast of Panay. For this route, the charts of the Spanish "Commission Idrogafica," complied by Don Claudio Monteros in 1857, would be useful. After passing Tablas and Remblon (which latter island possesses an excellent harbour, much frequented by coasting vessels as a port of refuge and for obtaining supplies,) steer for the group of small islands called collectively the "Silanga," lying off the N.E. of Panay, a good mark for which is the high conical island called Pan de Azucar, or Sugar-loaf, which is visible from a great distance. In approaching these islands during the N.E. monsoon, vessels should pass between the islets of Jintotolo and Zapato-Major, and during the S.W. monsoon more in towards the Panay shore, between Olutaty and Zapato-Minor. After lea- ving the Zapato, the course is to the south of the Gigantes, and the channel through the group of islands is generally entered between Suogon and Calanan, from whence the route is continued between Culebre and the main Pan de Azucar and Malangaban, inside Ygbon Bulabadingan and Tagubanhan islands. Through the passage between these islands there is safe anchorage. The Estancia affords ex- cellent anchorage and shelter at all times, and at Apiton opposite Yogubanham, there is also good anchorage in both monsoons. In the S.W. monsoon there is safe an- chorage between Pan de Azucar and Sobrero islands, and in the bay of Malagonoes. In the N.E. monsoon, in addition to the Estancia and Apiton, there is good anchor- age under Pan de Azucar, in the small bay or indent looking S.E. At Bacauan, or La Conception, is the residence of the Commandant of the district, and from hence assistance and supplies may be had, if needed, and at the place marked Apiton (Aguada) on the charts, good water is easily obtainable.

The broader channel between the islands Panay and Negros, although apparently good, and though formerly adopted by several ships bound to Iloilo, is now found not to be safe, there being large patches of shoal water with coral, imperfectly surveyed, extending off the Batayan and Negros shore. Vessels have occasionally touched in coming through this passage, and it should not therefore be taken.

After passing Tagubanhan and Apiton, and emerging into the broad channel between Panay and Negros, the best course is to steer direct for the highest land visible on the island of Guimarás, care being taken to ciear Pepinas rocks, which lie some distance off the shore and are awash.

Leaving the Calabazas islets and Patitas, the route after making the small block-house near Banate, is due south, until a group of seven remarkable rocks, which lie between the N.E. end of Guimaras and Panay shore, called the Siete Pecados, are sighted. On opening the channel between Guimarás and Panay and getting the Siete Pecados to bear W. N., steer direct for the passage between these rocks and the Panay shore. This course will clear the Iguana Bank, lying to the S.E., of the Pecados, with 1 to 2 fathoms of water on it, and Point Dumauges to the N.E., the shoal water off which extends to a considerable distance.

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