CHAPTER XVIII. 



MANILLA AND SOOLOO SEA. 



• 



Some general remarks under the head of Passages have been given 

 respecting the route from Manilla through the Sooloo Sea to Singapore. 

 I shall enter more particularly into the subject in this chapter. My 

 instructions contemplated a full examination of this sea, to enable me 

 to draw up sailing directions. As my time did not permit of this, I 

 confined myself to the most essential parts, — the entrances to the 

 Sooloo Sea, including the different islands, reefs, and shoals, with the 

 passages through them, and to an examination of the charts which 

 had been placed in my possession by Captain Halcon, of the Spanish 

 Navy : these enabled me to save much time, and afforded me the 

 opportunities I desired. 



A knowledge of the entrances to the Sooloo Sea has become more 

 requisite, in consequence of the new route from the China Seas towards 

 the islands, whaling-grounds, and ports in the South Pacific, which 

 offers such facilities and the saving of much time and expense for 

 vessels bound to the eastward, avoiding thereby the circuitous routes 

 around New Holland, or through the North Pacific. This route I have 

 named the Equatorial Passage ; to take advantage of which, it is ne- 

 cessary that vessels should pass through the Sooloo Sea, the Straits of 

 Macassar, or some of the straits to the southward or westward of it. 



MANILLA. 



With the port of Manilla there is considerable commerce, and we 

 think it may, when the Equatorial Passage is used, cause many 

 vessels to seek its fine bay for supplies, as well as trade. The 

 season which is considered the finest, and in which it is most visited, 

 is from the month of December till May. The Bay of Manilla then 



