1026 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH NOVEMBER, 1881.
The information contained in this Notice is to be carefully considered, to be noted in the Sailing Directions, and compared with the chart when the ship is navigating the parts to which it refers.
HYDROGRAPHIC NOTICE. [No. 29.]
CHINA SEA DIRECTORY, VOL. II. NOTICE No. 3.
The following information relating to the Natuna islands has been received from Lieutenant and Commander R. F. Hoskyn, Her Majesty's surveying vessel Flying Fish, 1881.1
(All bearings are Magnetic. Variation 2° 30′ Easterly in 1881.)
SOUTH NATUNA ISLANDS.
Low Island about 3 miles long east and west, 2 miles broad, and densely wooded, rises gradually to an ill-defined summit, 545 feet high (top of trees). This island is surrounded by a coral reef, but landing may generally be obtained on the lee side. During the north-east monsoon there is no difficulty in landing on the south side at high water.
Shoal water extends off the western side of the island, terminating in a patch of coral with 4 fathoms water, at a distance of 2 miles W. by S. S. from the south-west point of the island.
On the north side there are many extensive reefs, time, however, did not admit of their being examined. The passage north of Low island should not be attempted.
There are a few inhabitants on Low island who appear to live principally by fishing; they also cultivate cocoa palms. Some goats were seen, but these the natives would not part with.
Jackson Reefs lie on the east side of Low island between the bearings of E. by N. N. and S. E. by E. E. from the eastern point. Its inner edge is distant about 2 miles, and the outer about 3 miles from that point. The reefs are irregular in form, bearing(within the 5 fathom line) some resemblance to a horse shoe open to the eastward, and the depth of water varies between 3 and 7 fathoms.
The passage between Jackson reefs and Low island is not recommended.
Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London, 23rd August, 1881.
See Admiralty charts -China sea, southern portion, No. 2,660a; and Natuna islands, No. 1,348: also China Sea Directory, Vol. 2, second edition, 1879, page 42.
The information contained in this notice is to be carefully considered, to be noted in the Sailing Directions and compared with the chart when the ship is navigating the parts to which it refers.
HYDROGRAPHIC NOTICE. [No. 30.]
CHINA SEA DIRECTORY, VOL. II. NOTICE No. 4.
The following description of the eastern entrance to Haïnan strait, with the off-lying banks, and Taya islands, has been
1880.1 drawn up from remarks made by Lieutenant Chapman, H.M. surveying vessel Magpie, Captain Napier,
(All Bearings are Magnetic. Variation 1° 30′ Easterly in 1881.)
TAYA ISLANDS, separated from Hainan island by a channel 15 miles wide with 13 to 29 fathoms water, consist of two groups of high, almost inaccessible, barren islands, seven in number, with some off-lying rocks.
The north-east group consits of four islands; North Taya island, 648 feet high, the northernmost and largest, is in lat. 19° 59′ 05′′ N., long, 111° 16′-25" E., and can be seen in clear weather from a distance of 28 to 30 miles. At half a mile S. by W. from this island lies Perforated island, 375 feet high, and perforated in the centre. An islet (cone shaped) of the same height lies close off its south-west end. The southernmost island of this group lies S.S.W. W. 14 miles from North Taya island, and is 388 feet high.
The south-west group consist of three islands, the northernmost of which, 175 feet high, is very small. The middle and largest of this group situated S. by E. three-quarters of a mile from the northernmost island, is about the same size as North Taya island and has three peaks, the highest is 456 feet high, there is also a rock off its north-east side. South Taya island, 276 feet high, at 2 miles S. by E. E. from the northernmost of this group, is small and makes as two islands from the northward and eastward.
There is a safe passage 34 miles wide between the two groups, with 20 to 33 fathoms water."
Anchorage. Temporary anchorage may be obtained in 20 fathoms, mud, about one mile S.W. of North Taya island, hut a swell rolls round the island during the north-east monsoon.
MOUNT TONCON, the summit of a range of hills 1,229 feet high, on the east side of Haïnan island, in lat. 19° 40' N., long. 111 1' E., can be seen from a distance of 40 miles.
MOFOU HILL, a remarkable black hill 655 feet high, bears N.N.W. W. 19 miles from mount Toncon, and can be seen from a distance of 30 miles.3
MOFOU POINT, extending N.E. 44 miles from Mofou hill, is sandy, and has a reef of rocks off it. This point can be rounded with safety in 1 fathoms water at a distance of 2 miles.
The Coast from Mofou point trends W.S. W. for 5 miles with a coral reef extending one mile off shore, thence W.N.W., terminating in a point (N.W. W. 74 miles from Mofou hill) having a reef of rocks some of which are above water, exten- ding to the north-eastward 1 miles. From this point the coast trends N.N.W. W. 8 miles to Haïnan point, the north- east extreme of Haïnan head, this point is low and rocky, terminating in a ledge of rocks, the outer of which lies half a mile off shore, and dries 4 feet at low water springs.
See Admiralty charts -China sea, northern portion, No. 2661a; Tong-King gulf, No. 2002; Haïnan to Macao, No. 1246; Haïnan strait, with plan of Inner passage, No. 876; and plan of Hoi-How bay, No. 37: Also, China Sea Directory, Vol. II., second edition, 1879, pages 389-402.; and Hydrographi Notice, No. 9 of 1881.
The Magpie passed between South Taya island and the next island to the northward this passage appeared free from danger; also between North Taya and the next island S. by W. of it, but this channel should not be taken unless in a case of emergency, and then great caution is necessary, as there is a rock awash nearly halfway between the islands. There is also a passage with 20 fathoms between the North and Middle islands of the south-western group.
• Mount Toncon and Mofou hill bear a remarkable resemblance to one another when first seen at a distance from the eastward.
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