675469-1883-Hydrographic-Notices- — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH MARCH, 1883.

Coast. From Siriya-saki, the coast trends in a S.W. direction, and for about 3 miles to Uiya Mura, is foul and rocky. At 11⁄2 miles from Siriya-saka point is Observatory island, a rocky islet one cable from the shore and 80 feet high.

Anchorage. Temporary anchorage may be obtained on either side of Siriya-saki; but under any circumstances it is a most exposed place, and if it is necessary to anchor, great caution should be used. H.M.S. Flying Fish was frequently anchored about half a mile W.S.W. of the lighthouse, in 12 fathoms, but the position cannot be recommended. The bottom is composed of sand, large stones, and rocks.

Probably, if compelled to anchor, it would be more advisable on the eastern side, to anchor off the sandy beach south of Siriya-Yama, (Whaleback,) where the water shoals gradually and no dangers are known to exist, but caution is necessary, as this neighbourhood has not been thoroughly sounded. On the western side, good shelter may be found from all winds except those from West, through North to N.E. off Uiya Mura, in 7 or 8 fathoms, sand.

The Coast from Uiya Mura, to Minando Mura lying about 11 miles to the westward, forms a bay with a sandy beach, backed in places by low, earthy, reddish coloured cliffs; it is free from dangers, the soundings are regular, and anchorage may be obtained anywhere in from 7 to 10 fathoms.

MINANDO MURA AND OHATA are towns at the mouth of a sma Junks are generally seen at anchor here in 10 or 12 fathers, Beltas ve

of large size can be taken over the bar at high water in fine weather.

from the hills. *Junks

The Coast from Minando Mura to within two miles of Toriwi-saki, is generally bold and rocky, backed by high densely-wooded hills. No dangers are known to exist at a greater distance than three cables from the coast

Midzu-Sawa-Kanake is a prominent green bluff about 350 feet high, fronted by dark cliffs.

Aka-gawa-Mura and Red Cliff are two prominent points, the former is low and green, the latter fronted by red cliffs about 100 feet high.

Yake Yama Saki is a bold headland running down from the high hills the back be passed in safety at a distance of a quarter of a mile.

From this point the coast trends to the westward as far as Iko Kuma and then no generally rocky.

verr

and may

to Toriwi-Saki, and is

e of half a mile,

TORIWI-SAKI† the most northern point of Nipon s low and tapering. North of it at lies a small rocky islet called Omasaki Sima 45 feet high. The ground in the neighbourhood of this cape, and for about two miles along the coast on both sides, is foul and rocky.

Dangers. Singapore rock.-At 8 cables N.N.E. of the highest part of Omasaki Sima lies Singapore rock. The least water obtained on it at low water springs was 9 feet.

Six cables N.W. by N. of Omasaki Sima is a patch of rock with 24 fathoms.

The

passages between these rocks, the island, and the point, should not be attempted in anything larger than a boat. Soundings. Tide Rips.-The soundings off Toriwi-saki are irregular, a ledge of less than 20 Cathons ruas about 3 miles to the N.N.W., off which the water rapidly deepens, especially to the northward, and eastward. The East going stream sweeps over this ledge, and through the channels between the rocks and point, with great velocity, causing a great number of swirls, tide rips, and overfalls, which sometimes, especially with easterly winds, are very heavy.

Anchorage may be obtained out of the strength of the tide in 10 to 12 fathoms, one mile East of the point; but as the bottom everywhere in this neighbourhood is composed principally of rock, caution to

The Coast.-At the distance of 93 miles S.W. by S. of Toriwi-saki, and eight cables from the shore, is a rock 40 feet high. The intervening coast, with the exception of that in the neighbourhood of Toriwi-saki, is bold and rooky, backed by high densely-wooded hills. No dangers are known to exist at a greater distance than four cables from the shore.

Tides.--Tidal observations for a period of ten days at Hakodate, gave 3h, 37m., as the time of high water at full and change. Springs rise 3 feet. Neaps about one foot.

During the time H.M.S. Flying Fish was employed in Tsuguru strait (June to September) the stream in mid-channel was never observed to run westward, and there was rarely any slack water. As a general rule, a west going stream was found close to the shore, between Siriya-saki and Toriwi-saki; also in the bay inmediately Siwokubi and Hakodate head (Yezo island).

Yun, and between

Observations.-If it is necessary to get astronomical observations in Hakodate, it will generally be found advan- tageous to use the Observation spot in the British consular garden. Kamida creek, from the shoalness of the water there, is a most inconvenient place to land at, except at high-water springs, and as the main road from the town, upon which there is considerable traffic, passes within a few yards of it, it is generally impossible to get satisfactory observations there. The spot in the consular garden is free from both these objections, it is situated 1' 8" South, and 1' West of Kamida creek Observation spot.

WEST COAST OF YEZO AND OFF-LYING ISLANDS. I

THE COAST.-From Ota-saki (latitude 42° 15′ N.) the coast trends nearly north for several miles, is exceedingly bold and precipitous, with deep water close to, and is backed by densely wooded hills from two to three thousand feet high. Kudo bay. South of Ota-saki, the coast trends south-east for about five miles, when it forms a bay, at Kudo, with a white sandy beach. Anchorage may be obtained here in from 8 to 10 fathoms sand.

The coast.-From Kndo, the coast runs in a S.S.E. direction for about 6 miles to Seki-nai-no-saki in latitude 42° 8 N. It is almost straight, bold, rising in many places in dark coloured cliffs about 100 feet high, and is free from danger with the exception of a rock awash off Nag-ai-iso, one mile and a quarter north of the point, and half a mile from the shore. From Seki-nai-no-Saki the coast line trends eastward for about four miles, when there is a very remarkable white cliff visible in all directions for a considerable distance from seaward. From the cliff, the coast takes a more southerly direction, and is almost straight, composed principally of shingle beach, to Sibi-no-saki, which is a low prominent point, fronted with smooth, reddish, sloping rock. One mile north of this point and close to the shore, is a conspicuous round rock 35 feet high.

*See Hydrographic Notice No. 16 of 1878, p. 5.

† See China Sea Directory, Vol. IV., 1873, p. 330.

See China Sca Directory, Vol. II., p. 337.