1846.] KEELING ISLANDS. 193 



convenient if placed within these objects such as in the bay, where 

 the bamboo erection now is. 



I prefer Cap Island : First ; because it would be a safe object to 

 steer for, coming round Pulo Merak, and avoid Brewer's Shoal: 

 Secondly ; that coming from the southward, it would lead clear of the 

 Fourth Point danger. Vessels passing to eastward of Thwart-the-way 

 at night, would feel confident of being safe from the Stroom Rock, 

 when that light opened. 



Should the light be placed on the Fourth Point, it would also lead 

 clear of the Stroom Eock. But vessels passing the light would have 

 to estimate their distance for clearing its reefs. Whereas the Cap may 

 be passed on either side without danger. 



I have examined the Cap Eock, and find, that by clearing off twenty 

 feet of its surface, material would be found adapted to form a good 

 masonry platform, on which any structure for a Lighthouse would 

 find a sufficiently stable foundation. 



I am, &c., Sec., 

 The Resident, Anjer. EDWARD BELCHEE. 



Having completed water and supplies, we took our 

 departure from Anjer on the evening of the 16th of July, 

 shaping our course for the Cocos, or Keeling Islands, 

 where we anchored on the afternoon of the 23rd. Our 

 sole object here was to obtain Magnetic and Astronomical 

 Observations, the latter for connecting it with the Car- 

 gados Garajos. Capt. Ross, the Resident, was absent at 

 Batavia, we were, however, visited by some of his esta- 

 blishment, and after the duties of the day were over, 

 paid a visit to the settlement. 



The Keeling Islands, properly so named, appear to 

 have been discovered in 1008, by Capt. William Keeling, 

 employed in the service of the East India Company, 

 amongst the Molucca, or Spice Islands. It was on his 



VOL. II. O 



