Directory_and_Chronicle_1876 — Page 464

GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL.

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Pecados, with 1 to 2 fathoms of water on it, and Point Dumanges to the N.E., the shoal water of which extends to a considerable distance.

The lead is a good guide through the Siete Pecados channel, giving 41, 7, 8, 11 and 15 fathoms until the Pecados are passed to the southward, when the water deepens to 18 and 19 fathoms. The channel between these rocks and Guimarás is not good. On passing the Pecados the south shore should be kept on board, to avoid the shoal water on the Panay side. When the fort, which is half-a-mile to the west of the river Iloilo, bears W.S.W., steer for it, anchoring as convenient in 10 to 12 fathoms, a little more than a quarter of a mile off shore to the eastward of the river.

Though the northern passage just described is safe and convenient in the northerly monsoon, and is always used by coasters in both seasons, strangers will probably prefer the route along the west coast of Panay, making Iloilo from the south. This route should always be adopted in the S.W. monsoon. Making the western coast of Panay from the Mindoro Straits, this coast, comprising the province of Antique, should be closed, as the westerly monsoon is not very regular, and does not often blow strongly between the Cuyos Island and Panay, or the north of Basiland. It may be approached with safety anywhere to the southward of the islands of Barbatan and Maralison, which latter has a reef to the east and west. Barbatan, which is very steep, affords, with Lipata (under this latter point), the only available anchorage on the Antique coast during the S. W. monsoon, but in the N.E. monsoon the harbour of San José de Buena Vista is quite safe, and affords good supplies of provisions and water, being not unfrequently visited by whalers for that purpose.

The south coast of Panay is free from dangers till near the town of Otong. The coast of Guimarás to the north of Point Balingasag, or the north of Port St. Anna, is likewise safe. This port is capable of admitting vessels of large tonnage, and affords shelter under almost any circumstances. The bights along the coast have deep water, and vessels can work close in shore, or from point to point, with perfect safety; but generally there is no good anchorage, as the coast is steep and the holding ground not good.

In passing the S.W. point of Panay during the night, the islands of Juraojurao and Nogas should not be closed, as both have reefs round them to the southward. When clear of these islands on rounding the S.W. point of Panay, vessels may safely steer N.E. by E. 32 miles without any danger, but after running that distance they should heave-to during the night, or if the night is very clear run towards the Panay shore keeping the lead going, and when the water shoals, anchoring till daylight, as by keeping over to the Guimarás shore (particularly in the N.E. monsoon), they will find no anchorage and will lose ground.

It is necessary to follow the above instructions carefully, because the Otong Bank extends more to the west and south-west than is shown on the present published chart, and is yearly increasing, and also because the tide runs very strongly on both sides of it. With the flood tide (against the N.E. monsoon,) vessels can easily work up in short tacks under the Guimarás shore.

The Otong Bank is 8 miles in length N.E. and S.W., by 24 miles N.W. by W. and S.E. by E. at its broadest part. It is of fine sand, with depths varying from to 3 fathoms. The edges in some places are steep, and in others shoal gradually. To avoid this danger, vessels should, after closing Guimarás, keep that shore on board, and be careful in beating up not to close the Panay side to less than four fathoms, and not to stand further from the Guimarás shore than half-a-mile, until Point Cabalig bears S. by W. W. 2 miles, when they should stand across and open the port of Iloilo clear of Point Bondulan, which kept open will clear the Guimarás Bank lying between Points Cabalig and Bondulan. Care should be taken in standing across towards the Otong Bank, to tack as soon as the water shoals to 6 fathoms, as the Bank is steep-to. After passing Point Bondulan, the fort should not be brought to the eastward of N.E. by E.

Guimaras Bank, with 11 feet on its shoalest part, extends in a N.E. by E., and S.W. by S. direction a little over a mile, and about three cables east and west, with