Pontud Bank lies northward of Sigat and Apga Points. The group of shoals lying from 12 to 312 miles northward of Apga Point has several separate heads upon it, with depths ranging from 14 fathom (0.4 m.) to 32 fathoms (6.4 m.). The channel between the shoals and Apga Point is 34 mile wide, with depths of from 5 to 8 fathoms (9.1 to 14.6 m.). The channel between these shoals and the shoal northwestward is 11⁄2 miles wide, with depths of 14 fathoms (25.6 m.) and over. This latter shoal has a least depth of 1 fathom (1.8 m.).

A shoal with 2 fathoms (3.6 m.) least water lies 1/2 mile northnorthwestward of Apga Point.

Aclan Point and River are 71/2 miles east-southeastward of Apga Point. The point, which is flat, is formed by deposits from the river which flows out to the west of it. On the bar there is ordinarily 5 feet (1.5 m.), and with fresh northeast winds the sea breaks heavily on it.

Kalibo, one of the most important commercial towns in Capiz Province, lies on the eastern bank of the Aclan River, about 2 miles above its mouth. The river not being navigable, Kalibo transacts all its business through the port of New Washington, with which it is connected by road.

New Washington, formerly Lagatic, is about 5 miles above the mouth of the Lagatic River, which empties into Port Batan. There are a number of warehouses and two wharves here. It is reported that 12 feet (3.6 m.) can be carried from Port Batan to the wharves. There is regular steam communication maintained between New Washington and Manila and a coastwise trade with Iloilo and way ports.

A black buoy marks a 6-foot (1.8 m.) shoal in the mouth of the Lagatic River, and a red buoy marks the end of the shoal making southward from the north bank; vessels bound to New Washington should leave the black buoy close aboard.

Good anchorage may be had during the southwest monsoon outside of the peninsula on which New Washington is situated. The peninsula at this point is less than 1/4 mile wide.

Port Batan, about 10 miles southeastward of the mouth of the Aclan River, is a deep bay surrounded by lowland cut into by several large arms. The entrance is open to north-northeast and may be recognized by Pilot Mount, a prominent peak 867 feet (264 m.) high, about 6 miles southward of the bar. Ocboc Hill, about 2 miles eastward from Port Batan, is a prominent, steep, rocky mound lying close to the beach; it is 154 feet (47 m.) high and about 275 yards in diameter. Floripon Point, the western entrance point to Port Batan, is heavily wooded and steep-to on the eastern side. Both entrance points have sand shoals which extend northward for 11⁄2 miles, leaving a channel 1/4 mile wide between them. The bar fronting the channel has at the present time 4 fathoms (7.3 m.) on it, but it is liable, as well as the shoals from the entrance point, to shift with the freshets. There is no other danger than these shoals; if the channel buoys are gone or out of position, their limits are shown by the color of the water and at times by tide rips. The tidal currents run with considerable velocity in this vicinity.

An occulting white light, visible 10 miles, is shown from a white concrete house on Floripon Point. Two red buoys and one black buoy mark the channel into Port Batan.

Directions.-Vessels bound into Port Batan should steer for the light on Floripon Point on a 195° (S. by W. 14 W. mag.) bearing, keeping a good lookout for the banks and guarding carefully against the effects of the tide. The southern part of Floripon Point should be rounded at a distance of 250 yards and anchorage taken up anywhere southward of the peninsula which forms the north side of Port Batan. The village of Batan, on the eastern shore of the port, is in ruins, only a few nipa houses being visible.

A coral shoal with a least depth of 4 fathoms (7.3 m.) lies about 6 miles northward of Ocboc Hill. A coral shoal with a least depth of 514 fathoms (9.6 m.) lies 234 miles northeastward of Ocboc Hill. A coral shoal with a least depth of 1 fathom (1.8 m.) lies 34 miles east-northeastward of Ocboc Hill. A small coral shoal with a least depth of 234 fathoms (5 m.) lies 3 miles eastward of Ocboc Hill and over 1 mile from shore.

Baquiao Point, about 5 miles eastward of Port Batan, is very foul.

Sapian Bay, between Baquiao Point and the Sapian Peninsula, is clear and free from danger, having 5 fathoms (9.1 m.) in the middle of the entrance and 3 fathoms (5.5 m.) in the center of the bay, decreasing gradually toward the head. It is protected from all winds except from northward. Sapian Peninsula, on the east side of the bay, terminates in two points 114 miles apart-Marancalan westward and Nailon northeastward.

Mobay Islet, about 1 mile northward of Marancalan Point, is a rocky islet, partially wooded, 75 feet (22.9 m.) high.

About 1/2 mile northwestward of Mobay Islet is a shoal with a least depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.) with a 5-fathom (9.1 m.) channel between it and the shoal water off Mobay Islet.

Between Mobay Islet and Marancalan Point are a number of small rocky islets with trees upon them.

Tuad Islet, 114 miles northeastward of Nailon Point, is a small, partly wooded, rocky islet 44 feet (13.4 m.) high. It lies near the northern part of a shoal of sand and coral heads, which extends about 800 yards southward. There is a small coral patch having 2 fathoms (3.6 m.) least water and 5 fathoms (9.1 m.) around lying 3⁄44 mile eastward of Tuad Islet.

Capiz Bay, between Nailon and Culasi Points, is shoal at the head of the bay and intersected by several streams. The Panay River, one of the most important rivers in the island, empties about 12 miles southward of Culasi Point. The headland forming the northern side of the entrance to the river is high and well wooded; there is an old fort on the top of it which is 125 feet (38 m.) above the sea and forms a prominent landmark. A fixed white light, visible 12 miles, is shown from the roof of a white concrete house on Culasi Point.

Capiz, the capital of the province of the same name, is situated on the north bank of the Panay River, about 3 miles from the mouth.

It is connected with Iloilo by rail and has occasional steamer communication with Manila and Iloilo. The bar at the mouth of the river is constantly changing, and it is reported that at the present time vessels of 8 feet (2.4 m.) draft can enter the river at high water and go to the center of the town. Vessels unable to cross the bar or go to the wharf at Libas, anchor about 1 mile southwestward from Culasi Point, in 31⁄2 fathoms (6.4 m.), muddy bottom, or closer in if the draft will permit.

The village of Libas lies on the south side of Libas Cove, a large shallow indentation southward of Culasi Point. There is a small wharf here with 8 feet (2.4 m.) off it and a good wagon road from the wharf to Capiz, 2 miles distant. The channel approaching the wharf, through Libas Cove, is narrow and tortuous. A breakwater is under construction and other port improvements are contemplated. Culasi Point is 222 feet (68 m.) high, wooded and steep.

Nipa Point, 5% mile eastward of Culasi Point, is steep-sided and rocky, and 90 feet (27.4 m.) high. The cove between these two points has a sandy beach and large coconut groves at either end. Culasi Hill, back of Nipa Point, is 340 feet (104 m.) high, and the foot of it comes to the water's edge midway in the cove just mentioned.

A very small pinnacle rock, with a least known depth of 8 feet (2.4 m.), lies about 1/4 mile southwestward of Capiz Lighthouse.

There is a submerged rock covered by 434 feet (1.4 m.) lying 11⁄2 mile west-northwestward of Nipa Point and the same distance northward of Culasi Point.

A large flat rock about 50 yards in diameter, about 1 foot (0.3 m.) above high water, and surrounded by rocks awash lies about 11⁄2 mile northward from Nipa Point. Midway between this rock and the shore there is a pile of rocks which are awash at high water; a big round bowlder marks the center of the pile.

From Nipa Point to Pirara Point, 7 miles eastward, the coast is flat with long sand beaches fringed with coconut trees and nipa houses. The cable hut, where the cable from Milagros, Masbate, lands, is a low brick structure close to the beach, 2 miles eastward of Nipa Point.

Mantalinga Islet is a small, circular, wooded islet, 75 feet (22.9 m.) high, lying 15% miles eastward of Nipa Point. The channel between the islet and the coast is 11⁄2 mile wide and 20 feet (6.1 m.) deep, but the islet is too small to afford protected anchorage.

Nagtig Islet is a very small islet lying about 1 mile northwestward of Pirara Point and 650 yards from shore; it is thickly covered with brush and small trees, the tops of which are 82 feet (25 m.) high. A small group of rocks, bare at high water, lies about 100 yards northeastward of Nagtig Islet.

Olutaya Island lies nearly 1 mile northward of Nagtig Islet; the channel between them is deep and clear. It is sparsely wooded and 372 feet (113 m.) high. Three small wooded islets lie off the main islet; one to the northward, 62 feet (18.9 m.) high, another to the westward, 49 feet (14.9 m.) high, and one off the southeast point of the islet; the latter islet is connected with the main islet by a reef which bares at half tide. There is a small bay on the southeast side of the island which affords good anchorage for small vessels.

62012°-27-14

Pirara Point is low and sandy and covered with bushes and coconut trees. A river which empties just south of the point forms a shoal sand bar which extends 3/4 mile seaward.

From Pirara Point the coast trends southeastward and then northeastward to Bulacaue Point, forming Pilar Bay. The head of the bay is shoal. There are no detached dangers in the bay with the exception of Tucat Reef. It contains no sheltered anchorages and is of little value to navigation.

From Pirara Point to Buncayao Point, the western entrance to Tinagongdaget Inlet, the shores are low and sandy, interspersed with stretches of mangroves. From Pinamijagon Point, the eastern entrance to Tinagondaget Inlet to the town of Pilar, 42 miles eastward, mangroves line the shore for the first half of this section, and thence to Pilar a low sand beach fringed with shrubbery and coconut trees. About 3/4 mile east-southeastward of Pilar is a very conspicuous limestone cliff about 410 feet (125 m.) high, visible from the entrance to the bay. Banogay Islet is a small, low, rocky, wooded islet lying about 1 mile northeastward of Pilar and 150 yards from the main shore line; it is connected with the mainland by a sand bar bare at nearly low water. From Pilar to Bulacaue Point, 111⁄2 miles distant, the shore is sandy, interspersed with stretches of rock. On this coast are a number of small, unimportant villages. From the village of Carles, nearly 2 miles southwestward of Bulacaue Point, to the point the shore is rocky and fringed with brush and trees. Between Carles and the point are two small prominent hills. The southwestern hill, about 112 miles southwestward of Bulacaue Point, is 183 feet (56 m.) high and wooded; the northeastern hill, about 3/4 miles southwestward of Bulacaue Point, is 163 feet (50 m.) high and grass-covered.

Tucat Reef, the only detached danger in Pilar Bay, lies about 3 miles northward from Banogay Island. It is formed of sand and coral and bares at very low tides. It is not readily detected by the color of the water, as the water in Pilar Bay is more or less muddy from the numerous rivers emptying into it. Vessels bound into Tinagongdaget Inlet will pass well westward of Tucat Reef by bringing the limestone cliff eastward of Pilar open westward of Banogay Islet on a 175° (S. 12 E. mag.) bearing and steering for it. Tinagongdaget Inlet, a large irregularly shaped shoal body of water in the southwestern part of the bay, is the common mouth of a large number of small streams. It is entirely fringed with mangroves except at the end of Manapao Point, which extends into the middle of the inlet. This point is rocky, covered with coconut trees, and is 163 feet (50 m.) high to the tops of the trees. When entering the inlet Manapao Point appears to be an islet.

Nasunda Islet, near the head of the inlet, is small and covered with mangroves. The bar in front of the entrance has a depth of 112 fathoms (2.7 m.) at low water, deepening to 6 and 8 fathoms (11 and 14.6 m.) inside. Tinagongdaget Inlet affords good shelter for small vessels.

Directions. About 7 miles southwestward of the entrance is a prominent, sharp-topped hill 257 feet (78 m.) high. This hill, open southward of Buncayao Point, the western entrance point, bearing 237° (SW by W. mag.), forms a good leading mark for the best

water crossing the bar. When abreast Buncayao Point the vessel should be hauled a little southward and Pinamijagon Point rounded at a distance of 3% mile and anchorage taken up southwestward from it in 4 or 5 fathoms (7.3 or 9.1 m.) muddy bottom.

Bulacaue Point, the northeast extremity of Panay, is a spur from Mounts Sibala and Agudo, 1,903 and 2,736 feet (580 and 834 m.) high, respectively. The point is low and terminates in a sand spit with rocks at the end of which extend less than 13 mile and uncover at low water.

Zapatos Islets are three small islets lying on a bank, composed mostly of coarse, white sand, which lies about 12 miles northwestward from Bulacaue Point. Zapato Mayor, the northeastern and largest islet of the group, is fringed by a reef on its western and southern sides, is sparsely wooded, and 187 feet (57 m.) high. It is inhabited and well cultivated. Zapato Menor Islet, nearly 311⁄2 miles southwestward of Zapato Mayor, is smaller, well wooded, clean, steep-to, and 171 feet (52 m.) high. Chinela Islet, less than 1 mile north-northeast of Zapato Menor, is small, rocky, covered with brush, and 47 feet (14.3 m.) high. It is surrounded by a rocky ledge about 50 yards wide, bare at half tide.

Tidal Streams. In the sea north of Panay the flood stream enters from westward by the passages between Panay, Carabao, and Tablas, and also by the passages between Tablas, Romblon, and Sibuyan. This last stream passes along the southwest coast of Sibuyan and between Cauit Point and Cresta de Gallo with great force, but on the east coast of Sibuyan it meets the flood stream from eastward by the Strait of San Bernardino and loses its force. The ebb stream moves in the reverse direction and by the same passages, and is not felt on the southwest coast of Sibuyan. The strength of the stream at full and change of moon is 32 knots between Panay and Tablas and 2 knots between Tablas and Sibuyan.

Jintotolo Channel is the passage between Masbate and Panay. Jintotolo Island and the Zapatos divide the channel into three passages; that between Jintotolo Island and the Zapatos is generally used.

Cucaracha Shoal, lying about 411⁄2 miles north-northeastward of Manigonigo Lighthouse, is composed of coarse, white sand and is clearly indicated by the color of the water. The least depth on the shoal is a small patch with 134 fathoms (3.2 m.). The remainder of the shoal is covered by depths of 3 to 10 fathoms (5.5 to 18.3 m.).

The currents in this vicinity set eastward with the flood and westward with the ebb tide. There are eddies and confused currents around Olutaya Island, and small tide rips have been observed just westward of the passage between Olutaya and Nagtig Islands when the current was running at its full strength.

EAST COAST OF PANAY

From Bulacaue Point, the northeastern extremity of Panay, the coast trends in a general southerly direction for about 26 miles to Mount Apiton on the north side of Apiton Pass. This coast is faced by a number of islands, between which are good, sheltered channels. There are no ports of importance nor any thoroughly protected anchorages,