358 SOOLOO. 



soundings of seventy-five fathoms. Cagayan Sooloo has a pleasant 

 appearance from the sea, and may be termed a high island. It is 

 less covered with undergrowth and mangrove-bushes than the neigh- 

 bouring islands, and the reefs are comparatively small. It has fallen 

 oft" in importance; and by comparing former accounts with those I 

 received, and from its present aspect, it would seem that it has 

 decreased both in population and products. Its caves formerly sup- 

 plied a large quantity of edible birds'-nests ; large numbers of cattle 

 were to be found upon it ; and its cultivation was carried on to some 

 extent. These articles of commerce are not so much attended to at 

 the present time, and the biche de mar and tortoise-shell, formerly 

 brought hither, are now carried to other places. There is a small 

 anchorage on the west side, but we did not visit it. There are no 

 dangers near these small islands that may not be guarded against. 

 Our survey extended only to their size and situation, as I deemed it 

 my duty to devote all the remainder of the time I had to spare to the 

 Straits of Balabac. 



After the night set in, we continued sounding every ten minutes, 

 and occasionally got bottom in from thirty to seventy fathoms. At 

 midnight, the water shoaled to twenty fathoms, when I dropped the 

 anchor until daylight. We shortly afterwards had a change of wind, 

 and a heavy squall passed over us. 



In the morning we had no shoal ground near us, and the bank on 

 which we had anchored was found to be of small size; it is probable 

 that we had dropped the anchor on the shoalest place. Vessels have 

 nothing to fear in this respect. 



At 9 a. m. of the 8th, we made the Mangsee Islands ahead of us, 

 and likewise Balabac to the north, and Balambangan to the south. 

 Several sand-banks and extensive reefs were also seen between them. 

 On seeing the ground on which we had to operate, of which the 

 published charts give no idea whatever, I determined to proceed, and 

 take a central position with the ship under the Mangsee Islands ; but 

 in order not to lose time, I hoisted out and dropped two boats, under 

 Lieutenant Perry, to survey the first sand-bank we came to, which 

 lies a few miles to the eastward of these islands, with orders to effect 

 this duty and join me at the anchorage, or find a shelter under the lee 

 of the islands. 



At half-past 2 p. m. we anchored near the reef, in thirty-six fathoms 

 water. I thought myself fortunate in getting bottom, as the reefs on 

 closing with them seemed to indicate but little appearance of it. 



The rest of the day was spent in preparing the boats for our opera- 

 tions. I now felt the want of the tender. Although in the absence 



