02 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



cluster of islets, from which a direct course, nearly due west, may be 

 pursued to the Island of Cagayan Sooloo, which will carry a vessel 

 clear of all the islands and shoals. There are several coral sand- 

 banks, with from 15 to 30 fathoms of water on them, suitable for a 

 vessel of large size to anchor on, in the event of calms, rather than 

 be subjected to the strong tides and cross currents that are found to 

 prevail ; indeed, the difficulties which seem most to impede the navi- 

 gation of this sea, are the currents and light airs and calms of the 

 night hours, when it would be advisable for large ships to anchor, if 

 they are fortunate enough to obtain suitable bottom. I practised 

 this myself to advantage, and felt it a security as well as time gained 

 in saving the distance the ship might have been carried by the tides 

 to the southward and eastward. Unless there is this reason for it, 

 there is no necessity to have recourse to anchoring, as the weather is 

 seldom stormy, or subject to anything more than strong breezes, of 

 short duration. Typhoons have never been experienced ; and what 

 is still more advantageous for vessels pursuing this route, they never 

 meet with the rough seas which are encountered in the Palawan Pas- 

 sage or China Sea. After passing beyond the Straits of Balabac, 

 they are in a situation to take advantage of any favorable wind that 

 may offer for the purpose of reaching the Straits of Sunda, if in the 

 southwest monsoon, either by stretching across the China Sea, or 

 beating down the west coast of Borneo. 



If the navigator desires to pass to the west, through the Sooloo Sea, 

 from the Island of Panay, after having passed the Banco Seco, or 

 abreast of Antique, he may take the direct course between the Caga- 

 yanes Islands and the Cayos Isles. The only dangers to be avoided 

 are the Golconda Shoal, to the south of this track, and Piedra 

 Blanca to the north, lying south of the Cayos. In all probability 

 a favorable breeze will enable both to be cleared before night, 

 after which there is plenty of open and unobstructed sea to work to 

 the westward in ; the direct course is about west-southwest. The 

 current will generally be in the opposite direction to that of the 

 monsoon blowing in the China Sea. This direct track, if intended 

 to be pursued, should be confined to the northward of the small 

 banks and islets lying in the same direction as the Cagayanes, viz., 

 Cabreja, Cavalli, Temerario, Tob, Bataka, Bancoran, and San Miguel. 



When up with Bajo Neuvo both the peaks of Banguey and Balabac 

 will be in sight, and it will be better to steer for the former, with a 



