Fo-kai Point, bearing N.E. by E. 3 miles from Mendoza, is the south extremity of a high promontory, connected to the main by a low зandy isthmus ; the land near the point is high, and has the appearance of an island when viewed from eastward or westward. On the summit of the Fo-kai hills is an artificial mound 670 feet above the sea, and on the hill over the south-west point stands a large fort. On the east side of the isthmus lie three rocky islets; and E. by N., 8 cables from the northernmost islet, is a reef showing at low water, from which the east extreme of Fo-kai point bears S. by W. W.; and the Pauk Piah rock E.S.E.

Harlem Bay, or Pinghai, T formed to the westward of the Fo-kai promontory and northward of Mendoza island, affords secure anchorage in the North-east monsoon; but it cannot be considered safe during a typhoong, when the winds are liable to shift suddenly to different points of the compass. A good berth will be found to the northward of Hebe islet, in any convenient depth of water. This islet is flat-topped and 70 feet high, and a ledge of rocks, which covers at high water, extends 3 cables north-eastward of it.*

The distance between Mendoza and the west extreme of Fo-kai point is 2 miles, and between the two, at 6 cables from the latter, and 10 or 12 feet above the sea, is Middle rock, which may be passed on either side. On the western foot of the Fo-kai hills stands a fort, and a tall chimney on the hill over it: to the northward of the fort is a creek, which extends northerly along the sandy isthmus, and into which junks run at high water. S.W. by W. 3 cables from Hebe islet is a rocky patch, of 3 fathoms water, bearing North from Middle rock, and N.W. N. from the west extreme of Fo-kai point.

Tides. It is high water, full and change, at Tu-niang island at 8h. 0m. ; at Tsang-chau island, in Bias bay, at 8h. 30m.; and at Hebe islet, in Harlem bay (two days before full moon,) at 10h. Om. In the month of April the current in this neighbourhood sets constantly to the westward, increasing its velocity upon the flood, but its rate did not exceed a knot.

Directions. When bound to Bias bay from the eastward, after passing about a mile westward of Mendoza island, steer N. W. by W. for the opening between Lokaup and Bate islands, carrying a depth of 13 to 10 fathoms over muddy bottom. If there is a turning wind, when standing westward, do not bring Bate island to the eastward of N. E., nor A-cong rock to the southward of S. by W. W., until Tsincoe island bears to the southward of East, to avoid the Middle rocks. From thence either proceed up the bay to an anchorage in 5 fathoms water, about 1 mile from the eastern shore, 3 miles northward of Triple island, or to the southward of Lokaup to an anchorage in the bay or in the harbour of Typung. There are several populous villages on the eastern shore, where no doubt refreshments could be obtained.

If bound to Harlem bay, round Fo-kai point in 13 fathoms about half a mile off, and either haul up between the shore and the Middle rock, or pass between the rock and Tsincoe island. If the wind be easterly, it will perhaps be better

*See Plan of Harlem Bay, scale, m = half an inch, surveyed by Lieut. D. Ross, 1.N. 1812.

49

for a vessel of moderate draught to adopt the former channel, as she will fetch the anchorage without tacking, taking care, however, to avoid the 3 fathoms patch to the south-west of Hebe islet; but a large ship should pass westward of the Middle rock, although she should have to tack, as she will then be far enough from the high land to avoid the variable flaws of wind, and the disagreeable consequences that might arise from being baffled in a narrow channel.

Sam-chau Islet.-From Fo-kai point the coast trends N.E. by N. 12 miles to Ross head, and at the distance of 9 miles is Coast islet, lying 4 cables from the shore. Shoal water, over rocky bottom, extends 6 cables to the southward of this islet, and here, close to a flat rocky head, there is an opening a cable wide into the extensive inlet of Sam-chau, the channel, carrying 5 and 6 fathoms, being close to a narrow cliff on the southern shore; but in strong easterly winds the sea breaks across it. The entrance bears W. by N. N. from Si-ting islet, and E. N. from Harlem peak, which, rising 2,070 feet above the sea, forms a conspicuous landmark. S.S.W. W. nearly 24 miles from Coast islet lies a sunken rock, from which Si-ting bears East 6 miles, and Harlem peak N.W. W.

Commander P. Cracroft, of H.M.S. Reynard, who visited this inlet in chase of pirates, says, "The mouth of the inlet is very little wider than the breadth of a ship; there is also an inner bar with an equally narrow passage; and across both these bars the tide runs with a velocity of 5 knots. The depth in the channel varies from 6 to 8 fathoms, and deepens to 10 fathoms above the upper bar, where there is ample room for a vessel to swing; but such is the intricacy of the navigation, that a personal examination should be male, and the state of the tide carefully ascertained, before attempting the entrance." Pedro Blanco, or Pedra Branca Rock, called Ta-sing-chan

* in lat. 22° 18/ N., long. 115° 7 E., bears S. by E. E. from Pauk Piah rock ; S.S.W. W. from Ty-sami mound; E. N. 42 miles from the south extreme of the South Ninepin; S.E. E. 194 miles from Mendoza island; and S.W. by W. W. 83 miles from Flat reef, Breaker point. When bearing North it appears as two rocks; the summit is of a white colour. It is bold to approach, having 20 fathoms close to the southward, and 18 fathoms to the northward, decreasing gradually to 13 fathoms in the neighbourhood of the Pauk Piah.

Pauk Piah and Whale Rocks.-The Pauk Piah is a flat rock, 4 feet above high water, from which the summit of the Fo-kai hills bears W. & N. 7 miles.

S. by W. 2 miles from the Pauk Piah lie the two Whale rocks, upon which the sea sometimes breaks. They rise abruptly from the depth of 12 fathoms, and when on them, the west extreme of Fo-kai point is on with the summit of Bate island, and bears W. by N. † N., the summit of Fo-kai N.W. by W. W. 7 miles, and the summit of Mendoza West a little northerly.

東椗

西𤊟

Tung-ting and Si-ting are two rocky islets about 50

feet above the sea, lying S. E. S. and N.W. N. from each other, distant 1

mile apart; there are sunken and detached rocks lying around them both, and the depth of water in their vicinity is 9 fathoms.

From Si-ting the summit of

Fo-kai point bears S.W. by W. W. 11 miles, and the Pauk Piah S.S. W. j W. 63 miles.

N.W. by W. 1 mile from Si-ting lies a rocky patch upon which the sea sometimes breaks. Hat islet bears from it N.E. E., and Harlem peak W. N.; Mace point, open north of Hat islet, bearing about N.E. E., will lead to the northward. There is also the single rock which breaks only at low water or when there is a heavy sea, and from which Si-ting bears S. W. by W. W.; Tung-ting S.W. by S.; Hat islet N. by E.; and Harlem peak W. N.

Hong-hai Bay, about 15 miles to the north-east of Fo-kai point, is extensive, but in the upper part the water shoals to 3 and 4 fathoms, and it is open to S. W. and South winds. There are several islands in the bay, the largest of which, Hong-hai, is in the middle of it.

Vessels are recommended not to pass to the westward of Tung-ting and Siting, nor into the north-west part of Hong-haï bay, as they will experience a heavier sea there than outside.

Hong-hai Island, bearing N.E. E. 8 miles from Si-ting, is half a mile long, east and west, 3 cables wide, and will afford shelter on its northern side from southerly winds. S. by E. E. from its summit, which is 240 feet high, there are two rocks, visible at low water; they lie 3 cables from the shore, with the south-west point of Hong-hai bearing N.W. by W. W.; and in line with the south end of Inside island, and the east point of Hong-haï N. by W. westerly, and in line with the highest part of Mace point.

Hat Islet is a peaked rock lying 2 miles westward of Hong-haï. It is called Ke-sin-shek (Fowl's Heart Rock,) which it more resembles

than a hat; there are detached rocks about it.

Shoal Bay is formed at the head of Hong-haï bay, 3 miles N.N.E. of Honghai island. Its entrance is 2 miles wide, and within the heads the depth is less than three fathoms. There is an inlet, with only 6 feet over the bar at low water, which communicates in its north-east part with Hie-che-chin bay; by report it is navigable for small boats only.

At three quarters of a mile eastward of Club point, the east point of Shoal bay, there is a rocky ledge, part of which is always above water.

Inside Island, 5 miles to the N.W. of Hong-hai, is 460 feet high, a mile long north and south, and but little more than a cable wide. At 3 cables from its south-west end are some detached rocks; and in the bays east and west of it no greater depth than 24 fathoms will be found at low tide. There is usually a long ground-swell here, rendering it advisable for vessels not to stand farther into the bay than Hong-hai island.

West, 3 miles from Inside island, is the embouchure of a large stream, but with only 6 feet over the bar at low water.

Ty-sa-mi Inlet, i. e. Great Sand Spit, the entrance to which bears E. N. 9 miles from Hong-haï island, has a channel leading into it half a mile wide, and carrying 2 fathoms at low water. The northern shore of the entrance is shoal to, and rather more than half a mile from the beach

are some rocks which show at low tide, and from which Ty-sa-mi mound bears S.S.E., and the low conical hill at the back of the town E. by N. & N.*

The southern edge of the channel is bordered by a sandbank, which commences under Ty-sa-mi mound, and extends I mile from the shore, until its north end bears West from Entrance head, where it shoals suddenly, and has but 3 feet on its edge. The north end of the sandy spit under Entrance hill (the hill on the south side of the entrance) in line with the conical hill at the back of the town bearing E. § N., will lead into the inlet on the south side of the channel. Ty-sa-mi mound is an artificial cone on the highest part of the hills over the south-east point of Hong-haï bay; is elevation is 970 feet above the sea.

Tides.-In Hong-haï bay it is high water, full and change, at 10h. Om. and the rise is 6 feet.

Goat Island, lying S.E. 3 miles from Tsieh point, the eastern outer entrance-point of Hong-hai bay, is the southernmost and largest of a numerous group, amongst which there are no navigable channels. S.W. W. from its summit, and S.S.E. E. from Ty-sa-mi mound, lies a dangerous rock, which shows only when the tide is low and the wind high. At rather more than a mile inland from the beach to the northward of Goat island, is the walled town of Tsieching.

Anchorage. There is good anchorage in the N.E. monsoon on the northwest side of Goat island, which, with the group of islets to the northward of it, shelters well from the heavy sea. This roadstead is much used by the opium vessels, which approach as close to the shelving beach as the depth of water will allow.

Reef Islands lie S. E. by E. 3 miles from Goat island; and E. † N. 1} mile from the latter, and N.W. W. 2 miles from the north end of the former, there is a rock on which the sea breaks at low water. The southern island of the group is the largest, and reefs extend a cable's length in a southerly direction from its east end.

Vessels may pass between the Reef islands and some rocks awash, lying 12 mile to the northward, the depth being 7 and 8 fathoms; but it must be borne in mind that the shoal water extends rather more than 2 cables to the northward of the islands; the north end of the danger bearing W.4S. from Chelang point. Vessels should not pass between the rocks awash and the coast.

Chelang Point, bearing E. by N.IN. 5 miles from the Reef islands, is very remarkable, of moderate height, composed of red sand, with many ragged rocks scattered over it. The point has two islets and a reef off it, and the depth is 13 fathoms within a mile of the outer islet, which is 80 feet high.

There is a fort on the western extremity of this headland, and to the northward of the fort a small bay, which will afford shelter in the North-east monsoon; but a sunken rock, having only a foot water over it, lies N. W. by W. 5 cables from the fort, and from it the summit of Chelang point bears S.E.E., and is in line with the southern rock off the fort point, and Flat rock bears

* See Plan of Ty-sa-mi Inlet enlarged, scale 1 inch to a mile, on Sheet 2, East Coast of China.

S.W. W. Flat rock lies W. by N. 1 mile from Chelang point, and there is a small sunken rock lying N. W. from it, and West from the fort.

Kin-yu金嶼 or Kemsue, is a rocky islet, half a mile long in a N.E. and S.W. direction, lying N.E.4 N. 3 miles from Chelang point, and under its highest or north-east part there is a high rock. Its shores are bold-to, but the islet is too small to afford shelter. The channel between it and Che-chin point is 1 mile wide, and carries a depth of 7 and 8 fathoms; but off the point is a large white rock surrounded by reefs.

Hie-che-chin Bay, or Kieh-shih-chinformed between Paukshao point on the west, and by Tongmi point on the east, carries a depth of 7 to 5 fathoms at the entrance, and 3 or 3 fathoms within a mile of its head, over soft muddy bottom. It will afford shelter from westerly and northerly winds, and from the North-east monsoon, but it is quite exposed to the southward and south-east. At the head of the bay the land is low, and there is a sandy beach; the eastern side of the bay is high and mountainous. The village of Kiusiang stands in the north-east bight of the bay, immediately under Round bill; to the northward of Kinsiang point there are not more than 3 fathoms at low tide. Two rivers empty themselves at the head of the bay, with bars of less than 9 feet water, and the sea usually breaks all across them; the western river communicates with Hong-haï bay, and affords a passage for boats and even small junks.

Near Tongmi point, which bears E.N.E. 14 miles from Chelang point, there is a remarkable conical hill 455 feet high, named Chino peak, which with the islets of Tung-kih and Si-kih, render this side of the bay easy to recognize. The peak bears N.W. N. 23 miles from Tung-kih, which is about 18 feet above the sea, and has some detached rocks lying on its eastern side, and three rocks awash at low water, half a cable's length from its north-west side; the channel between it and the main is a mile wide, and carries a depth of 9 to 12 fathoms. Si-kih islet, 80 feet high, rises abruptly and is cleft at the summit; from it Tung-kih bears E.N.E. 3 miles, and Chino peak N.N.E.JE. Between the two islets the soundings are 11 and 12 fathoms. A mile North of Tung-kih, and East three quarters of a mile from Tongmi point, is a cluster of rocks nearly level with the water's edge.

Pauk-shao Bay, on the western side of Hie-che-chin bay, affords good shelter, unless the wind comes to the eastward of South, there being a depth of 5 fathoms with Paukshao point bearing westward of South. Paukshao point is of moderate height, with numerous rocks scattered over its surface. The other point to the westward has a high battery on it; and between this latter point and the high land to the northward there is an opening into a deep harbour, the entrance to which is nearly barred by rocks, and the harbour too shoal for vessels drawing over 6 feet. There is said to be a sunken rock lying N.E. about half a cable's length from Pauk-shao point.

Chino Bay is on the eastern side of Hi-che-chin bay, to the northward of Chino peak, and on its shore there is a fort and small village, abreast of which the water is shoal, the 2 fathoms' line of soundings being half a mile from the shore. West from Chino peak the Chino reef extends 4 cables from the shore,