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No. 121.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH AUGUST, 1867.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Letter from Her Majesty's Acting Vice-Consul at Tamsuy, relative to the survey of So-ho Bay on the East Coast of Formosa, and the search for the "Vindex" Rock at the entrance of Kelung Harbor, is published for general information.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 13th August, 1867.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
No. 26.
BRITISH VICE-CONSULATE, TAMSUY, 30th July, 1867. ·
SIR,-I have the honor to enclose an extract from a despatch addressed to me on the 20th instant by Commander E. W. BROOKER, R.N., of H. M. Surveying Vessel “Sylvia," giving the result of his survey of So-ho (San-o) Bay and of his search for the Rock reported by the Master of the " Vindex" as existing at the entrance of Kelung Harbor.
I beg you will cause this information to be made public for the benefit of those vessels trading with the latter port, or seeking shelter in the former.I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient Servant,
HENRY F. HOLT,
Acting Vice-Consul.
CECIL C. SMITH, Esq.,
Acting Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.
So-ho bay is the only anchorage on the East Coast of Formosa, and affords shel er from the N.E. and Southerly winds, being open only to East and E.S.E. winds, when a heavy swell would roll into the bay, but a Vessel found with good ground- Tackling would be able to ride safely.
The bay is easily approached from the Southward, as the South Cape is Bold and steep to, but from the Northward, foul ground extends from the North Cape fully a mile, and Vessels must not enter the bay until the North Cape bears N.W. by W. The nature of the bottom in the Southern portion of So-ho bay, being very uneven and rockv, and off Lam-hong-ho very shallow with various depths of one and two fathoms, and even less in small patches of rock, the passage between the Southern edge of the Tong-sim-tai (or Breaker reef) and the rocky or ragged point of the South shore is not available for any draft over 9 feet, nor can the small bay of Lam-hong bo be used by vessels drawing more than 8 feet. The bay of Pah-hong-ho in the North corner is also very confined for anchorage space by the shelving ledges of uneven rocky patches, which extend round that bay.
The North end of the Tong-sim-tai, (Breaker reef) must be rounded at 2 cables distance as a rock with 2 fathoms water on it, lies N.W. of the highest rock on the reef, at 1 cables' distance, (the clearing mark for which is the Easternmost Arlyi (or Sau-o rock) in one with the conspicuous rocky islet off the North Cape E. N. until the highest hill on South point, is in line with ragged point and the second highest rock on the reef S.S.E.E.) when Vessel can haul up for the reef and anchor in 5 and 6 fathonis, with the high rock bearing E.S.E. 2 cables, and should be careful not to run up towards Lam-hong-ho Bay beyond the line of bearing which the largest, or Southernmost of the Arlyi Rocks (known on the Admiralty Charts as the Sau-o Rocks) makes with the Southern Rock of the Tong-sim-tai (Breaker reef) which leads on to a patch of 6 feet, half way between that reef and the shore.
The conspicuous rocky islet off the North Cape should be kept open north of the highest rock on the Tong-sim-tai reef.
KELUNG HARBOR.
A very careful search was made under the most favorable conditions of weather for the " Vindex" rock, a reward offered to the Boatmen and every enquiry instituted, but nothing could be found, and the Fishermen were very positive of its non- existence, a rock with only 6 feet water on it, on the outer edge of the coral patches, was found with deep water around it, and which was most probably the one the "Vindex” struck on.
True Extract."
HENRY F. HOLT, Acting Vice-Consul.
No. 122.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
In reference to the Provisions of Section X of "The Hongkong and Shanghae Bark Ordinance," No. 5 of 1866, His Excenency SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, C.B., dhears it to be notified, that it has been proved to his satisfaction that Persons who have subscribed for at least me half of the Capital of the Bank, have executed the Deed of Settlement required by the said Ordinance.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 13th August, 1867.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
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