90 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



in the night as well as the day. The Embarcadero leads to the 

 Straits of San Bernadino : its length is about 50 miles, its average 

 width 10 miles. Intending to take this route, it is necessary to 

 pass to the eastward of Luban Island and turn into it, giving Point 

 Santiago a good berth to clear the Minerva Rock, stretching over to 

 the Mindoro side, for the wind will generally be found to draw 

 through the channel from the eastward ; consequently it will be a 

 dead beat. Anchorage may be found in Calapan Roads, on the coast 

 of Mindoro, and within the Bacos Isles. It is high water, full and 

 change, at 7 a. jr. The tides flow through with some strength. The 

 south end of the Island of Luzon affords many anchorages, which 

 may be used temporarily to await both wind and tide. In this chan- 

 nel lies the Island of Maricoban, the Isle of Verde, and the Bacos and 

 Silunay Islands. In their neighborhood it is comparatively narrow, 

 but there is ample room to work a large vessel. 



The entrance through the Straits of Mindoro is rendered dangerous 

 by the Apo Shoal. This shoal lies 12 miles from the Island of Min- 

 doro, is of a triangular form, and has several small sand-islets on it, 

 and a mile to the west is a small sand-island. The longest side of the 

 shoal makes a sweep from west-northwest to east-southeast, while the 

 two others join, forming a tail, at the south. On each side of it there 

 is a clear passage : that nearest Mindoro I have called the Pandan 

 Channel; the outer one has been known as the Northumberland 

 Channel : the former being 10 miles, and the latter 15 miles in width. 

 I much prefer the Pandan Channel. In the event of night coming 

 on, one may anchor with safety in the small bays, which I think is 

 preferable to beating about, subjected to tides, and in danger of being 

 set on a coral rock or reef, many of which, though of small extent, 

 exist off the south end of Mindoro Island, and render it necessary for 

 large vessels to be very cautious. 



After reaching Ylin Island, off the south point of Mindoro, the 

 route is to windward, around the Island of Semerara, before standing 

 over for the coast of Panay : this, though the safer course, is never- 

 theless attended with delay ; and one is greatly tempted to pursue the 

 straight course, and pass directly through the coral reefs and shoals; 

 but it requires both confidence and self-possession. By keeping a 

 good look-out, however, with a commanding breeze, the gauntlet may 

 be run. The shoals and reefs can be distinctly made out in the morn- 

 ing hours by the color of the water, and avoided. 



