No. 101.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 21ST APRIL, 1877.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
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The following directions supplied by Captain COCKER of the Chinese Gun-boat Fei-hoo for Vessels approaching the newly opened Port of Pak-hoi, in the Gulf of Tong King, are published for general
information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 19th April, 1877.
H. E. WODEHouse, Acting Colonial Secretary.
The Port of Kiung-chow, which is commonly called Hoi-how by Foreigners in China, is not known by that name in Hainan, but is called there Haik'ao, a fact which it is well for a Captain of a vessel to bear in mind. The Captain of a vessel starting from Haik‘ao for Pak-hoi ought, before weigh- ing anchor, to ascertain the condition of the tidal current which runs East and West and vice versâ with great force in the Hainan Straits, and in his subsequent navigation to make due allowance for its effect.
It is the simplest and safest plan to leave in the evening and to steer from the centre of the Hai- nan straits west till Haik'ao is 30 miles distant, so as to keep absolutely clear of any danger off Cape Canie.
Having gone thus far, a course N. W. W. for 34 miles and then a course North for 30 miles further ought to bring a steamer about daylight to the first land, namely the small island called on the charts Chayune, but known to Chinese as Ch'ich Yang (). This island, which is high and bold, lies about 34 miles S. S. E. off Kuan-tow Head in Lat 20° 54′ N. and Long. 109° 13′ E. About 7 miles to the N. W. of it is the island of Wei-chow (), called on the charts Guiechow. Though larger in area, the latter island is much less elevated than Ch'ieh Yang (Chayune). To the E.N.E. of Wei-chow (Guie-chow), (where there is a Catholic Missionary resident) a coral reef extends for about a mile. After passing Ch'ich Yang (Chayune) about a mile to the East of it in 9 or 10 fathoms and keeping well clear of the reef off Wei-chow (Guie-chow), a course to N. N. W. will lead to Kwan-tow Head() which will make as an island.
There are 5 fathoms of water to within of a mile of this headland. Between the island of Chieh Yang (Chayune) and Kuan-tow Head innumerable heavy fishing stakes exist, which render it a very imprudent thing for a vessel to attempt to navigate this distance after dark.
Kuan-tow Head is a bold headland 390 feet high, forming the western extremity of a narrow peninsula of which the northern extremity is the projecting beach on which the village of Tikok (), one of the limits of the Pak-hoi anchorage, is built. To enter the harbour after having reached about 4 of a mile to the West of Kuan-tow Head, a vessel should steer for the Northern end of the fishing stakes which will now be seen to the N. E. planted athwart the entrance of the harbour in tiers running N.N.W. from the village of Tikok for a distance of 830 yards, taking care not to get into less water than 3 fathoins, as a sand spit runs out in a N.E. direction from the N.N. W. point of the Head, at the same time a vessel must not go too far off, as there is a sand-bank running East and West to the N. of the fishing stakes. The fishing stakes can be passed close alongside (some in fact occupy the deepest part of the channel), after which a course East by South for a short distance takes a vessel to her anchorage.
There is a detached hill to the East of Kuan-tow Head 130 feet high, known as Tikok Hill (4). When this hill bears South-West and the Northern end of the fishing stakes bears West North, good anchorage will be found in 41⁄2 fathoms at low water.
The tides at Pak-hoi are not regular. There is as a rule only one tide in the 24 hours, which varies in its rise and fall from eight feet to seventeen feet.
The soundings from Haik'ao to Pak-hoi are regular and by attention to the lead notice of ap- proach to land will be given in ample time to avoid accident.
As the positions of Ch'ich Yang (Chayune) Wei-chow (Guie-chow) and Kuan-tow Head were incor- rectly laid down in the old charts, care ought to be taken to use chart No. 2062 Admiralty, corrected up to March 1872, on information furnished by Captain Cocker of the "Ling-Feng." The position of the village of Ti-kok is Lat. 21° 28′ N. and Long. 109° 5′ 5′′ E. The anchorage at Pak-hoi is good and safe in any weather.
It is protected on the North by a sandbank having a few feet of water at low tide. This bank lies in the direction E.N.E. and extends for about 11⁄2 miles on either side of the stakes, passing the Northern extremity at a distance of about 60 yards.
On the South and East, the anchorage is protected by the sea beach. The exposed side faces the West, but it is stated that there is no force in the Westerly winds here. The holding ground, which consists of mud and sand, is good. The entire space to the North-West, North, and North East of the Sand-bank forming the Northern boundary of the anchorage as far as the opposite sea-shore, which is some 8 or 9 miles distant, is taken up by lines of sand-banks, generally running East and West, some of which are exposed at low water. It is only possible for Junks to navigate this part of the bay.
Pak-hoi, 2nd April, 1877.
THOS. S. COCKER, Captain "Feihoo.”
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