Directory_and_Chronicle_1875 — Page 817

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HONGKONG.

docks and slips, which leave nothing to be desired in the facility with which vessels can be refitted in the shortest time; possibly in this respect, being unequalled by any other Port of equal extent in the World.

Tides. It is high water, full and change, in Hongkong roads at 10b. 15m., and springs rise about 4 feet. The tides around the island are irregular, flowing and ebbing without any apparent change of direction at the surface, and sometime there appears to be only one tide in 24 hours.

Directions.-Hongkong road is generally approached by sailing vessels from the westward, on which side it is protected by Green Island and Kellett bank, which extends nearly 12 miles northward from the latter island, and carries a depth of 31 fathoms. It is sometimes approached from the eastward through the Ly-ee-moon Pass during the N.E. monsoon, but the winds are generally baffling under the high land.

When abreast Green Island, if the vessels be of heavy draught, keep the peak of Lamma Island (Mount Senhouse, 1,143 feet high) open westward of Green Island S. E. until Devil's Peak (on the mainland near Ly-ee-moon Pass) is in the line with the White rock on the south point of Won-chu-chau, or Stone-cutter's Island, when a S.E. by E. course will lead northward of Kellett bank, and direct for the anchorage.

Vessels of proper draught can proceed over Kellett bank or through the 4 fathoms channel between Green Island and the south part of the bank, by passing about 11 cables northward of the Island, and then steering for the road.

The narrow channel between Green Island and Hongkong, may be taken if a fresh fair wind blows right through.* Many sailing vessels have used it, amongst which were H.M.'s ships Modeste, Wellesley, and Vernon. It has depths of 10 to 12 fathoms in the middle, shoaling to 8, 6, and 4 fathoms after passing the small islets eastward of Green Island.

Tytam Bay and Harbour.-There are several small bays on the southern shore of Hongkong, all of which are safe for small vessels; but at the south-east part of the island is a deep inlet, named Tytam bay, 21 miles deep, 1 miles wide at entrance, free from danger, and carries a depth of 10 to 16 fathoms. Tytam head, the western point of entrance, is a high bluff, with 13 and 14 fathoms near it; from thence the western shore of the bay trends about N. by E. three-quarters of a mile to a small sandy bay, with a rocky islet fronting the beach. About half a mile northward of the islet the land forms a round projecting point, and northward of this point is a large bay, with a sandy beach, in which is Tytam village.

Tylong head, or Cape D'Aguilar, off which are two green islets, form the eastern point of entrance to Tytam bay, and from thence the eastern shore of the bay bends round to the northward for 2 miles, and terminates in a small inlet, called Tytam harbour, carrying 4 to 6 fathoms, but its head, to the northwest, is shoal and rocky. This bay would be useful to a vessel in the event of her being near Wag-lan at the close of the day, with the probability of a dark and tempestuous night, for by running in she will at any rate be snug, even if there should be a typhoon during the night.

Water. At the head of Tytam harbour there is a rivulet of fresh water, which, however, cannot be procured without inconvenience when the tide is low. Water may be obtained at Tytam village, on the western shore of the bay.

Tides.-There is little tide in Tytam bay, and, like all the places hereabouts, it is difficult to fix the time of high water, owing to the variety of channels and the wind greatly influencing the tidal streams; but the rise and fall is about 7 or 8 feet at springs, and about 3 and 4 feet at neaps. The ebb sets to the eastward between Lo-chau and Hongkong.

* J. W. King, Master of H.M S. Wellesley, 1842.