486 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH NOVEMBER, 1876.
No. 201.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Hydrographic Notice, received from the Admiralty, is published for general infor-
mation.
By Command,
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 11th November, 1876.
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. 20.]
EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO.
The following information relating to Borneo, Basilan, and Zebu islands is derived from an official report by Captain Knorr commanding the ship Hertha, German Imperial Navy, 1875.*
[All Bearings are Magnetic. Variation 110 Easterly in 1876.].
BORNEO, NORTH-EAST COAST-SANDAKAN HARBOUR.-Caution is necessary in approaching the harbour, as the shoals in the neighbourhood are imperfectly known; to the north-westward they are said to extend 7 miles from the shore. The entrance of Sandakan harbour may be recognized by Bahalatolis island, situated on the western side of the entrance of the harbour and triangular shaped; the south-eastern side of the island descends abruptly from a height of 980 feet, while the north-western side slopes gradually. The islets on the reef extending north from this island are densely covered with wood. The shoal of 13 feet lying seaward of Towsan Dooyon island does not show by discoloured water. The south-east point of Bahalatolis island bearing S.S.W. leads clear of dangers on either hand, and when the island is passed the vessel may steer direct for the anchorage abreast Buy island.
The Hertha found the water 4 or 5 fathoms deeper than shown on Admiralty chart, No. 950, and anchored in mid channel in 10 fathoms, mud, with the north-east point of Buy island, bearing S.S.E., about 10 miles distant from the European settlement.
No water or supplies can be obtained.
Tides.-The flood tide in Sandakan harbour sets at the rate of a half to 12 knots for 6 hours, the last 3 hours being after the turn of low water; and the ebb at the rate of a half to 11⁄2 knots for 18 hours.
BASILAN ISLAND.-ISABELA HARBOUR, situated at the north-west side of Basilan island, can be entered either from the north or south, and there is sufficient depth of water for large vessels. The channel has an average width of 1 cables; the shoals which in some places narrow it are marked by buoys, as is also the shoal off the southern entrance.
Large vessels should moor in the stream, smaller vessels may lie closer to the shore of the harbour.
Tides.-The tides during the stay of the Hertha, in the month of April, were regular, of 6 hours duration each, and no slack water; they are, however, frequently influenced by the wind. The flood set S.W. and the ebb to the N.E., at the rate of 1 or 2 knots.
Isabela, the residence of the Spanish governor of Basilan, is situated on the western slope of a chain of hills, 590 feet high, and densely wooded. The bar of the rivulet Pasahan, west of the town of Isabela, is impassable even for small craft. It supplies the only drinking water to be obtained, but so high up that boats cannot ascend. Provisions cannot be obtained. There is a coal depôt for the use of the Spanish vessels of war; no other store of coal is kept.
The population consists of 5,000 or 6,000, chiefly Malays and Chinese, who live in bamboo huts, the Malays according to their custom, over or near the water.
ZEBU ISLAND. The town of Zebu, the oldest in the Philippine islands and the seat of government of the southern Philippines, lies in an extensive and well cultivated plain, at the foot of a mountain range which extends through the island. The town is considered healthy.
The population consists of 30,000, principally Malays and Chinese. The huts of the poorer Malays, mostly fishermen, on the sea shore, constitute the western part of the town, while beyond them stand numerous massive houses, with good streets. The town has also large barracks, two churches, and a lazaretto. Zebu is also a naval station.
The exports consist chiefly of sugar, hemp, tobacco, and piña lace; the imports embrace European goods, rice, and coal. Coal is imported from Australia; a vessel cannot depend upon a supply with certainty. There is coal on the island, but not properly mined.
Provisions are plentiful.
The following information is derived from various authorities:
[ Variation 110 Easterly in 1876. ]
MACASSAR STRAIT.-NORTH WATCHER ISLAND** (lat. 0° 36′ N., long. 119° 42′′ E.) is surrounded on its west, north, and east sides by a coral reef which extends a mile from the shore.†
BOHUL ISLAND.-CERVERA ROCK, I recently discovered, is 2 cables long, N.E. and S.W., and has 13 feet, coral and sand, on its shoalest part. From the rock point Tahurue (south-west extreme of Bohul island) bears N. 60° W., the north extreme of Pamilacan island N. 82° E.; the south extreme S. 88° E.; the Mount north-east of Pangalo N. 4° E. Position, lat. 9° 28′ 45′′ N., long. 123° 50′′ E.§
MYSOLE ISLAND.-HESKETH SHOAL, which was sailed over during a recent cruize of the English yacht Goshawk, is in lat. 1° 38′ S., long. 130° 28′ E., (approximate) and about 12 miles from the nearest part of Mysole island. From the shoal part where bottom was seen, and the depth of 23 fathoms obtained, Schilpad north island the largest and highest of the group, bore N. by E. E., distant 5 or miles; the next cast of the lead gave 5 fathoms, and shortly afterwards no bottom
at 17 fathoms. T
Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London, 30th June 1876.
* See Admiralty Charts:-Pacific ocean, North-west sheet, No. 781; Philippine islands, No. 943; Sulu archipelago, No. 2576; Basilan channel, No. 961; Sigboyé and Sibutu passages, No. 928; Ports in the Philippine islands, No. 2391; plan of Sandakan harbour, No. 950: Also, Hydrographie notices, Nos. 8 of 1872 and 27 of 1875.
** See Admiralty Charts:-Eastern Archipelago, sheet 2, No. 9416; Macassar strait, north part, No. 2636.
+ Information from Nachrichten fur Scefahrer, No. 18 of 1876.
See Admiralty Chart:-Eastern part of the Sulu or Mindoro sea, No. 2578.
Information from Spanish Hydrographie notice, No. 44 of 1875.
See Admiralty Chart:-Eastern Archipelago, eastern portion including the Flores, Banda, and Arafura seas, and the eastern passage to China, No. 9426.
Information by Mr. W. T. Cotton, master of the yacht Goshawk, 1875.
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