F
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH JANUARY, 1867.
INLAND SEA.
Skenesi or Ose Bank, [p. 490,] Not less than 6 fathoms could be found on this bank when thoroughly examined. is of course sand. The fishermen would not admit the existence of any bank having less than 7 fathoms.
It
Hzsedasinose Bank extends 2 miles off the shore of Awadji, 3 miles north of Morotzu. There is said to be only 3 fathoms on its edge.
Skanose or Great Shoal, [p. 490,] is probably not nearly so extensive as shown on the Chart The Serpent passed over the centre of it, 6 miles within the spit, in 11 fathoms, sand, but the southern edge in 13 to 18 fathoms was found to be rock good leatling mark for passing between the banks is the Hiogo range just open of Yesaki, the north point of Awadji.
Ori-sima, [p. 489,] in long. 134° 1, is high and none of the islands about it are low as stated in the China Pilot. Tomo-sima is high also, and affords good anchorage in 5 or 6 fathoms on its S. W. side, with Yosino bluff just open of its south point.
ST. VINCENT CHANNEL.
The Commander-in-Chief having ordered a survey of the channels about the Conqueror Bank, one has been discovered by which the heaviest ships can pass at all times. It is quite direct and carries not less than 7 fathoms at low water, springs. Some dangers exist on its borders, but they are easily avoided by steering a mid-channel, course. The tides being stronge in this channel, there is some advantage in taking it, when the tide is favorable.
Three Islet Spit.-A narrow bank of gravel extends from the three rocky islets towards Siyako. Its Spit may be crossed in 10 fathoms by keeping Kodutsi one breadth open of the small round island off the South point of Yosima (not marked in the Chart.)
Rocks which dry towards low water extend one cable off the North point of Usisima. They are steep to.
Siyako Ledge.A rocky ledge extends 3 cables off the South point of Siyako, at the outer part of which is a rock of less than 10 feet water. Giving the island a berth of half-a-mile, or pasing outside the tide rip or heavy overfall generally seen there, will clear it.
Hirosima, South Bank is very steep to. It lies between Kosima or Round island and firosima, projecting somewhat into the channel. For which reason it is preferable to pass South of 10 feet Rock. Parts of the bank are nearly dry.
Ten feet Rock, so named, is 20 feet high and whitened. It may be passed quite safely on either side at 2 cables or less. Tides. It is high water, fall and change, at Hirosima, at 11 h. 45 m.; rise and fall at springs 11 feet; neaps rise 8 feet. The streams run regularly six hours each way, the flood coming in from the east, and the changes take place about an hour before the end of the tide. The tides have great regularity. The meeting of the tides from the Kii and Boungo Channels takes place in the Bingonada, west of Akemies. Miski.
Directions. Stand on E.N.E. between Nezumi and Sayanagi, passing nearer to Nezumi, and when between Kosima (Round island) and Takami steer about E. by N. for 10 feet rock which may be passed on either hand at 2 cables, but on the South in preference on account of Hirosima South Bank, continue about E. by N. for the north part of Usisima (Saddle island) hauling up mid-channel through the passage north of it, to avoid the Rocks off its point. Then steer along Siyako for the north point of Yosima hauling up E. by S. with Kodutsi a little open of the island off Yosima, and pass mid-channel between it and the Three Rocks or islete
From the Eastmard:-Bass mid-channel north of the three rocky islets and haul up W. by N. till Kodutsi is one breadth open, then keep S. W. by W. along the shore of Siyako maintaining a mid-channel course between it and Usisima. When 10 feet rock comes mid-way between Round island and Takami steer for it, but pass 2 cables South of it. Pass 2 cables north of Takami and half a mile north of Nezi, the summit of Hirosima kept mid-way between Round island and Takami leading through in the best water, viz.: 7 fathoms.
Vessels of small dreht may disregard these particular directions, steering a mid-channel course by eye. Anchorage may
at Inoura, the south east bay of Hirosima in 9 to 4 fathoms; the water shoals rather suddenly at the edge of the chante se in 7 to 5 fathoms between Takami north point and Nezumi Sima; on Three Islets Spit in 7 to 5 fathoms, gravel; and within a mile East of Usisima in the same depths.
KURUSIMA SETO.
Southern Route, (p. 488). The name of tuis is Kurusina Seto or Strait of Kurusima. A more particular examination of it than was made in 1861 has been rendered necessary in consequence of numerous reports of the difficulty of its navigation by strangers.
A singularly clear atmosphere and great mirage are very prevalent at this part of the Sea, and when under these, circumstances the sun is shining on the islands, they blend with the mainland, and the passage is uct then readily detected on approach.
Cape lyo is a long promontory of undulating hills rising gradually from the point to no great elevation. Half-a-mile north-west of it is a grassy island 20 feet high, and 2 cables outside the islet, a low reef which never covers. rocks above water.
There are other
Kosima being well cultivated contrasts well with the harren hills of Osima at the back, It has also a clump of trees on the western part of its double summit.
The White-topped Rock (p. 486,) is half a mile W. by S. of the South point of Masima, and the ground southward of it towards the village of Obama is rocky and uneven as far as a rock, awash at low water, which lies 3 cables from the shore and is 6 cables S. S. W. of Masima. There is chow-chow water even outside this which it would be prudent also to avoid.
Directions (p. 489). When passing Cape Iyo the western or Junk channel will be seen open. Proceel E. S. E. and round Kosima (thus opening the strait) at 3 or 4 cables till the course is S. S. W., changing to South when passing the west point of Masima at 2 cables. After rounding the South point of Musima at 3 cables, steer S. E. by E. and giving the islets off Osima a good berth, haul up E. N. E. Easterly through the Bingo nada.
There is much clow-chow water in the strait, especially off Kosima on the flood; a mid-channel course will avoid that which
appears dangerous.
From the Eastward:-After rounding the islets off Osima the western or Junk channel only will be seen open: steer N. W. by W. for (or to the right of) the White topped Rock and haul up North between it and Masima. After passing the west point of Masima keep a mid-channel or N. N. E. course and round Kosima at half a mile.
Anchorage may be obtained off Imaharu; also off the South end of the village of Obama, one mile north of Imaharu, in 6 to 9 fathons.
Tides. It is high water, full and change, at 11 h.; springs rise 10 feet. The flood here comes in from the westward. Both streams run with great velocity in the strait at springs; at neaps about 4 knots.
IYO NADA,
Jyo Nana. [p. 485.] Keep to the route recommended; it is the best passage, and no time is saved by passing North of Nukusira where the tides are very perplexing, specially with a vessel under canvas.
SIMONOSEKI STRAIT.
Tano Pank. [p. 482.] A better leading mark for passing between the Tano Bank and the Kanabuse Rock is-a large clump of trees on Takas.ki, the South point of Simonoseki town, in line with the high water of Mozi point. The so-called Custom house is seldom to be recognized.
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