PASSAGES. 



91 



After rounding the Island of Semerara, it is desirable to steer direct 

 for Point Nasog, the north end of the Island of Panay, and continue 

 down its coast, passing inside of Hat Island of the charts. The 

 winds here will be found generally to prevail off the land, and usually, 

 when close to the island, are light, from the eastward, from which 

 direction it blows for the most part of the year. 



The coast of Panay, within the line of Banco Seco, and Hat Island, 

 is clear of danger : this gives a good beating channel of about 20 miles 

 in width ; but the wind will be generally found favorable when pass- 

 ing either to the north or south along this coast, which trends in the 

 same direction. West winds are sometimes felt as eddy winds when 

 abreast of the high land of Panay : these will be found of great assis- 

 tance, allowing a vessel to stand along the land. 



After leaving Panay, the west point of Mindanao lies due south, 

 which is the north point to the entrance of the Straits of Basilan. 

 There is nothing to obstruct the navigation. The Islands of Negros, 

 Zebu, Bohol, and Leyte, lie to the eastward of this track, and although 

 high, they do not offer any obstruction to the prevailing wind, which 

 will be found steady in passing by them. 



At the w r estern entrance of the Straits of Basilan is the small port 

 of Caldera, which offers at all times a safe and convenient anchorage 

 for vessels passing through, and where they may await a tide. To 

 the east of Caldera lies the town of Samboangan, the largest on the 

 island : it is the headquarters or residence of the Governor. The an- 

 chorage off it is rocky, and exposed to the strength of the tides. A 

 little fruit may be had here, but no other supplies of consequence. 

 Vessels touching here are liable to meet with some annoyances in 

 consequence of Spanish jealousy. 



The Straits of Basilan offer no difficulties to the navigator, and 

 may be passed through during a tide. There are several sandbanks, 

 about one and a half miles off Caldera, with ten fathoms water on 

 them. The chart of this strait will point out all the dangers. The 

 south side is the safest, where anchorage may be found in moderate 

 depths of water. The flood-tide sets to the northward and westward. 



On leaving Caldera, we passed directly towards the Island of 

 Sooloo, between Pilas Island and the Sandboys : these last are readily 

 known by the two pointed peaks. This, though a practicable route, 

 cannot be recommended for vessels : if bound to the west, through the 

 Sooloo Sea, it is better to pass to the northward of all this small 



