Directory_and_Chronicle_1877 — Page 849

GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL.

411

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PASSAGE FROM MANILA AND PORTS

TO THE NORTHWARD,

For the use of Vessels boUND TO CEBU, taking their Passage through

THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

North East Monsoon.

It is presumed that Captains have in their possession the Admiralty Charts No. 2,577, and sequence, which may be followed as the best yet published, although the positions are possibly not quite accurate.

On leaving Manila pass, if the wind will allow, to the north of Fortune Island, and, if with a leading wind, keep about three miles from the Luzon shore, thus giving Point Santiago (which is shallow and rocky with reefs extending about two miles off it) a sufficient berth; leaving Point Santiago the course for strangers is to the south of Maricaban Island, by which means the Minerva rock is avoided; coasting vessels often pass between Luzon and Maricaban Islands. The course to the north or south of Isla Verde may be taken according to the wind, north preferred. Off the E.N.E. point of the island are some low rocks 3 or 4 cables off shore with deep water close to, these require care at night as do the islands of Los Bacos and the rocks off Point Calapan.

From Point Malabrigo to the islands of the Tres Reyes, there is no danger, allowance of a point or more should be made for the leewardly set of the current; passing these islands, continue between Tablas and Romblow, to the south of Sibuyan, south of the crest of the Gallo and south of Jentololo. The passages to the East of Romblow and Sibuyan have not been surveyed, and many coral patches are known to exist the positions of which are not properly defined. Do not attempt to pass between Jentololo and Buncanaguay Point (in the English chart Pulanduta) for the

same reason.

In

From Jentololo to Malapascua there are no dangers, but allowance must be made for the set of the current which varies according to the strength of the monsoon. daylight pass either side of Malapascua, but at night to the Eastward giving a berth to the dangerous reef which extends about ‡ of a mile off the south point. Pass, if in the night, to the east of Capitancillo, and keep within 3 or 4 miles of the shore, do not run further during the night than Danao, no dependence can be placed upon the light at the entrance of Cebu, the fishermen's torches are much brighter and are easily mistaken for it. In daylight, the light-house is a good guide to the entrance of the port of Cebu, which the liberality of the foreign merchants has well buoyed, so that no possible difficulty exists to prevent a ship entering without assistance; the colour of the water is also a good guide.

Most vessels from Hongkong and Manila bound to Cebu take the passage to the west of Panay and south of Negros, and after passing to the south of Point Bombonon endeavour to beat between Siguigor and it, against the full force of the current; this is a mistake, the best way after passing point Bombonon is to stand well over to the island of Mindann beating up to point £ulaban on that island, and from thence shape a course for Bojol, passing to the south of the island of Balcasig then to the coast of Cebu where there is mostly a weather current.

Few sea-going Captains care to close with the land, yet a little watchfulness when taking the passage through the islands would save much time. The fact that all coasting vessels and coasting steamers use it should count for something.