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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 27TH OCTOBER, 1877. `
Tenders must be in duplicate, and in sealed envelopes, endorsed "Tenders for Hospital Contract." Forms of Tender, and all other information, may be obtained from the Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital.
No Tenders will be received, unless the Person tendering shall produce a receipt to the effect that he has deposited in the Colonial Treasury the sum of $200 as a pledge of the bona fides of his offer, which sum shall be forfeited to the Crown, if such Person shall refuse to carry out his Tender.
The Government does not bind itself to accept the lowest, or any Tender.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 26th October, 1877.
No. 225.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
The following Hydrographic Notice, received from the Government of India, is published for general information.
!
By Command,
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 27th October, 1877.
Government of India.
The information contained in this Notice is to be carefully considered, to be noted in the Sailing Directions, and compared with the Charts, when the ship is navigating the locality to which it refers.
HYDROGRAPHIC NOTICE. [No. 7.]
CEYLON ISLAND-POINT DE GALLE.
THE following information is taken from the Admiralty West Coast of Hindostan Pilot, and recent original notes by Commander A. Dundas Taylor, late Indian Navy, Superintendent of Marine Surveys to the Government of India:-
[All Bearings are Magnetic. Variation 0° 55′ E. in 1877.] APPROACHES TO GALLE HARBOUR.*
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POINT DE GALLE BAY is formed between Point de Galle Fort and sloping land to the eastward, on the highest part which, at an elevation of 264ft., stands Edward's Pillar, painted white; thence the land trends to the southeast. in Oonawatty low Point, which projects farther seaward than the southwest bluff point. Watering Point-up a white tower-is a rocky bluff a little more than a mile in an E by SS direction from Galle Fort, and fo limit of the harbour. The actual entrance is narrowed, and the anchorage within much confined, by numerous dangerous reefs, having only from 3 to 15ft. water over them. At the head of the bay is a low sandy beach, bordered with cocoanut trees. Near the centre are two rocky promontories, known as Gibbet Island and Glosenburg. The present anchorage frequented by shipping is in from 6 to 4 fathoms, sandy bottom, on the west side of the bay, abreast the fort. The land in the vicinity of Point de Galle is comparatively low and ill defined, but the position of the bay may be readily known by the light-house, which stands at the west point. On this point the fort and town are built, the sea-front being rendered inaccessible by a line of coral reefs, on which the sea breaks heavily. Off the Fort light-house point several rocky islets extend a quarter of a mile to the south. These dangers are all above water, and may therefore be easily avoided.
But the principal outside dangers are the strong currents which run to east or to west (according to the monsoon) past the submerged outer shoals.
Point de Galle is much frequented as a port of call for orders, in consequence of the electric telegraph, which is in communication with every part of India, and thence to Egypt and Europe on the one hand, and to Singapore and China on the other. Supplies of every kind, including coal, can be obtained. There is a life-boat stationed here. Water may be procured from a small bay within Watering Point, where there is an excellent spring and a wooden pier. Native boats and crews can be hired to supply ships with water. Point de Galle is considered a safe place in all seasons of the year, but with strong S. W. winds a ground swell tumbles in.
Light. A fixed White light is exhibited from a white iron tower, 80ft. high, on the south bastion of the fort of Point de Galle; the light is 100ft. above sea level, visible in clear weather 12 miles. The Fort light-house is in lat. 6° 1′ 25′′ N., and long. 80° 12' 32" E.
WESTERNMOST DANGERS.—Gindurah Rock. This rock under water, called Medda by the natives, lies two miles S. W. by W. of Gindurah river mouth, and W. by N. 4 N. nearly 44 miles from Point de Galle fort light-house. Its shoalest part has only 6ft. water, and is very dangerous, as it does not always break; a depth of 4 and 5 fathoms is found about two- thirds of a cable from it all round, and 15 fathoms two cables outside of it. A small coral patch, of 3 fathoms, lies rather more than half a mile E. N. E. of it, and there is a depth of 15 fathoms between them. The channel inside of Gindurah Rock should be avoided on account of the above shoal.
Buoy.-An iron nun buoy, painted red, has been laid in 11 fathoms, about two cables southward of Gindurah Rock. From this buoy, Edward's Pillar is just open south of the Fort light-house.
To clear outside of Gindurah Rock, Akorale Point to the northward must be kept open to the left of Waal Island, or Oonawatty Point kept well open outside the breakers of the Whale Rock.
When running from Colombo to Galle, take care to sight Edward's Pillar to the right of Galle fort light-house before Akorale Point is allowed to come on with, or to the eastward of, Waal Island.
Godda Bank, the least water on which is 4 fathoms, with rocky bottom, lies 3 miles N. W. of Gindurah Rock, and 11 miles S. W. of Dodandowe village. It may be avoided by keeping Senegamme Point (which is just inshore of Debaha Rock) open to the left of Waal Island."
* See Admiralty Charts:-Point de Galle Harbour, No. 820; Approaches to Point de Galle, No. 819; Ceylon Island, South and South-East Coast, No. 813; Bay of Bengal, No. 70a; and the West Coast of Hindostan Pilot, page 39.
See also Indian Marine Survey Chart, Approaches to Galle, No. 1171.
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