SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 287 



On the 5th, we felt a current to the west of fifteen miles. The 

 variations of the compass were now to the westward ; much phos- 

 phorescence in the water; its temperature was 75°. The slight 

 current continued until the 8th, when we made the islands of Sab- 

 tang and Batan on the starboard side, and the Richmond Rocks on the 

 larboard, steering a westerly course through the Balingtang Straits. 

 The weather being remarkably fine, we had excellent observations on 

 transit bearing. The longitude of the west point of Sabtang is 121° 

 50' 30" E., the latitude is in 20° 18' N., instead of 20° 11' N. In the 

 strait we had strong ripples, and occasionally felt the influence of the 

 current, as we passed through them. 



We had now left the Pacific Ocean, and I could not but rejoice 

 that we had all the results of our cruise up to this time quite safe. 



Sabtang and Batan are of broken surface, shooting up into many 

 remarkable peaks, to the elevation of a thousand feet. These are 

 both inhabited, and afford one or two anchorages. 



In the route from Oahu, we had experienced a set to the westward 

 of four hundred miles by current; the greater part of this was felt 

 before reaching the meridian of the Ladrone Islands. 



I now stood to the southward along the island of Luzon, to pass 

 just clear of Cape Bolinao. On the 9th, we continued to have very 

 strong winds. A very heavy sea arose, without apparent cause ; the 

 progressing motion of the waves in passing the ship was twenty-two 

 miles per hour; their width, as near as it could be ascertained, was 

 one hundred and forty yards. 



At sunset of the 10th, we were off Cape Capones, and numerous 

 lights were seen on shore. The breeze failed us after midnight, and 

 in the morning we found that we had drifted some thirty miles to 

 the leeward of Cape Miravales, having Cape Capones due north, the 

 current having set to the southward. As the breeze was adverse to 

 our entrance into the bay, we continued beating until the afternoon, 

 when the sea-breeze gave us the hope of reaching the anchorage ; but 

 it was so feeble that we made no way, and the night was again passed 

 under sail. 



The next day, the 12th, was also passed in working up for the city 

 of Manilla. For this delay I had something to console me in the 

 arrival of the Flying-Fish, which vessel was discovered at 3' 1 30'" p. m. 

 beating in. Signal was made for her to join company. 



On arriving at the island of Corregidor, we were boarded by a go- 

 vernment galley, pulling sixteen oars, and having a large brass twelve- 



