PASSAGES. 



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places, but they do not lie in the track of vessels entering or depart- 

 ing. The anchorage off the city of Manilla is safe, except during 

 the season of the typhoons. These sometimes are experienced at 

 Manilla, and do great damage. From the extent of the bay, vessels 

 are exposed to the full violence of the wind and sea, and until 

 within a few years they have never attempted to ride them out. 

 The port of Cavite, which lies on the south side, between Manilla and 

 the entrance or Island of Corregidor, is quite safe. It is there that 

 the Manilla gunboats and galleys are stationed, and the government 

 has a dock-yard and some means to make repairs. In the event of a 

 vessel receiving damage, she may find facilities for undergoing repairs 

 there, but it very much depends upon the individual who is Governor 

 of these islands, whose permission it is necessary to procure. 



FROM MANILLA THROUGH THE SOOLOO SEA TO SINGAPORE. 



Between the 25th of January and the 3d of February, 1842. 



As my instructions embraced the exploration of the Sooloo Sea, I 

 endeavored to acquire, during my short stay at Manilla, all the infor- 

 mation that was to be had upon the subject. Captain Halcon, of the 

 Spanish Navy, was kind enough to offer me all he possessed, but 

 regretted exceedingly that it was so limited. He had himself been 

 engaged in several explorations or surveys near Manilla, but beyond 

 the Straits of Mindoro, he said, all was uncertain, and little known. 

 I failed also in procuring a pilot who had any knowledge of the 

 general route pursued by vessels bound for Sooloo. Viewing my time 

 as exceedingly limited, it occurred to me that the best course would 

 be to secure a knowledge of the entrances, particularly the Straits of 

 Mindoro on the north, as well as the Straits of Balabac on the west, 

 and Basilan on the south. 



Although the route chosen and surveyed by the Expedition was 

 the straits on the west of Mindoro, it is not, in my opinion, the best. 

 I should prefer passing into the Sooloo Sea from the northward, 

 through the Embarcadero Passage, between the islands of Luzon 

 and Mindoro, which leads to the east of the latter island : this passage 

 is clear of sunken coral reefs, and easily passed through. When up 

 with the east end of the Isle of Verde, a fair wind may be expected, 

 and the route being free from all obstructions, it may be navigated 



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