INDIAN MARINE .SURVEYS. 3 



survey of the port of Akyab, in the vicinity of which several 

 ■wrecks had occurred, but owing to an outbreak of cholera it was 

 impossible to continue operations, although the necessity for a 

 thorough survey of the place was much felt, as it is much frequented 

 by rice traders and as a harbour of refuge. 



Another survey which had to be abandoned through an epidemic 

 of cholera was that of Chittagong (Karnaphuli river), where the 

 encroachment of the sea had necessitated the removal of the lights 

 at Norman's Point to some more suitable place. Lieutenant 

 Hammond had been entrusted with this work, but on the arrival of 

 Commander Taylor most of the party were found to be suffering 

 from fever and dysentery, healthy drinking water being unpro- 

 curable, and heaps of half-burnt or half-buried human corpses 

 encountered here and there by the surveyors in course of their 

 work. Operations were therefore broken off. 



A large number of questions affecting navigation, such as 

 the hindrances to the free navigation of Bassein river, brought to 

 the notice of the Secretary of State by the Liverpool Shipowners' 

 Association, rules affecting emigrant ships (for the better protection 

 against fire), improvements in signalling on Indian coasts, amend- 

 ments of Native Passenger Ships Act of 1876 with reference to 

 long and short voyages and seasons of fair and foul weather, &c, 

 were forwarded for report by the Government to the Superintendent 

 of Marine Surveys. The preparation of a complete list of Indian 

 lighthouses and light-ships, with details of cost of erection and 

 maintenance, their positions, distinctive characteristics, &c, was 

 undertaken, as well as the Annual Return of Wrecks and Casualties 

 in Indian Waters. Hydrographic Notices containing sailing direc- 

 tion for Junkseylon or Salang island, Mergui archipelago, Rangoon 

 river. Moulmein (Salwen) river, Kyouk Phyou, and False Point were 

 published, and Notices to Mariners relating to new lights, buoys, 

 and newly-discovered dangers were also published and issued to the 

 Indian maritime authorities, and to foreign Governments, while the 

 English, Spanish, Dutch, American, Chinese, German, and Indian 

 notices were duly embodied and marked (so far as applicable) on all 

 the charts in store. Altogether 3.279 charts were corrected and 

 brought up to date, and a new catalogue of charts was issued. 



In the following year (1877) the Superintendent carried into 

 effect his deferred tour of inspection of the ports of the peninsula of 

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