1846.] SEMIRARA. 89 



about 800 gallons of water during our detention for stock. 

 This was more for the purpose of proving the practicability 

 than as a watering service ; the spring from which we 

 obtained it was at the first cliff south of the town. The 

 position of Garza Island in the great bay, was found to 

 be in Lat. 12 12' 26" N., Long. 121 9' E., Var. 23' 

 34" W., Dip. 11 22'. 



Quitting Mindoro we steered for the Island of Semi- 

 rara, and commenced its survey. It is not the island so 

 named on the Charts, but one north of it. Nothing 

 worthy of notice occurred here; we observed a town 

 upon the crest of a hill with the Spanish colours flying, 

 but could not induce any of the people either to visit us 

 or shew themselves near the shore. The island contains 

 a large quantity of cleared and apparently fertile land, 

 with some elevations, but rounded, and seemingly under 

 cultivation ; the prevailing rocks are slaty on the eleva- 

 tions but coralline at base. 



About this period, finding our provisions diminish 

 rapidly, and fearing that our intended operations on the 

 northern coast of Borneo might be cramped, I determined 

 on taking the available provisions of the ' Royalist ', and 

 despatched her to Singapore for fresh supplies, with instruc- 

 tions to rejoin at the Island of Balambangan, and to call 

 in at Sarawak for any communication which Mr. Brooke 

 might be able to furnish, at the same time sending him 

 an invitation to join us, and recruit his health by the sea 

 air and amusement which he might experience at Tam- 

 passook, Borneo, and the other rivers on the northern 

 coast. On the evening of the Gth of February the 

 ' Royalist ' parted company on this service, carrying our 

 despatches for England. 



