84 NOTES UPON THE GULF OF PECHELI, [Nov. 22, 1858. 



Off the Peiho River, Gulf of Pecheli, lat. 38° 55' 18" N.; long.Wlo 54' 30'' e., 

 distant 8 or 8i miles from the Forts at the entrance of the River, in 22 ft. 

 at low water. 



From this positiou tlie land about the entrance of the river is just visible 

 from a ship's deck in fine weather ; and with a glass the forts (since destroyed) 

 and a joss-house in the village are easily distinguished — the joss-house 

 N. 68° w,, and fort n. 60° w., true. The bottom is a mixture of sand and mud, 

 and holds well ; but a strong breeze causes a very disturbed sea, and no doubt 

 the heavy winter gales would render a more sheltered spot desirable. 



The river itself is barred by a shallow bank of sand, mud, and in some 

 places small stones, extending completely across its mouth, and having at low 

 water spring-tides no more than 2 feet over it in any part. The rise and fall 

 at spring-tides is about 9 feet ; therefore a vessel drawing 10 ft. 8 in. might 

 safely cross the bar at the highest springs, and in July, under favourable cir- 

 cumstances as to wind, &c., 1 ft. more might accomplish it, as the south-west 

 monsoon, when fairly set in, appears to increase the depth to that amount. 



Strangers entering should examine the bar at low water, when the remains 

 of old bamboo -beacons used by the Chinese junks will be seen, and serve as 

 the best guides to the channel. By using these no difficulty will be expe- 

 rienced until the water begins to deepen, when the ripple on the banks on 

 either side will be a safe guide right to the entrance. 



The time of high- water in April, at full and change, was 4^ 8"", but in 

 July 3^ 30" ; and the highest tide generally happened on the second and third 

 days after new or full moon. 



The most water ever actually measured by me on the bar was 11 ft. ; but 

 from the Eegister of Tides kept oh board the ship, allowing for the difference 

 of depth, T find as much as 12 ft. in July. The tides near the entrance run 

 very strong nearly across the course at the first of the bar, but more fairly 

 in, when farther advanced, the flood running to the northward and ebb to the 

 southward, changing with the change of tide. When once the rising has com- 

 menced, it continues very rapidly, and the slack is of very short duration. A 

 vessel of 10 ft. draught should therefore be prepared to start at a full hour 

 before high-water time, so as to ensure not missing the greatest depth, as the 

 tide commences to fall fully an hour before it ceases running up between the 

 forts. 



Eunning from the Straits of Mia-Tao for the anchorage off the Peiho River, 

 a w.N.w. course was found to carry several ships a considerable distance to the 

 Bouthward — so much so that they arrived steering n.n.w., and even n., to the 

 anchorage. This I attribute to a constant southerly set ; it was observed 

 more particularly during the time of the north-east monsoon, and may possibly 

 not exist at all times. 



During the passage across from Mia-Tao soundings will be obtained the 

 whole distance, and will give sufficient warning of the approach to land to 

 prevent running into danger. 



The Sha-lin-tien islands and banks were not examined by us ; but the joss- 

 house on the centre of the eastern island was seen, and being distinctly visible 

 eight or ten miles off, would serve, as a very good landfall to direct to the 

 anchorage. 



During the north-east monsoon a day seldom passes without a strong breeze ; 

 and although none were experienced during our stay sufficient to cause 

 anxiety as to the ship's anchorage, great difficulty was experienced by boats in 

 getting back to their ships : they should therefore always be provided for a 

 day or two of absence. 



These strong breezes ^ame on sometimes very suddenly, a,nd were not con- 



