MANILLA AND SOOLOO SEA. 



355 



is better to run the risk, if there be any. I have further to remark 

 in taking this route, that if the wind should be from the westward, 

 I should prefer and advise the Northumberland or Western Channel 

 to be taken, but if to the northward and eastward, the Pandan 

 should be chosen : this will place a vessel to windward of all the 

 shoals, passing them more easily, and be enabled to clear them in 

 the shortest possible time. From Ambolan steer south-southeast : this 

 course will lead between the Vincennes Shoal and Falmouth Bank. 

 A vessel may pass either to the westward or eastward of the Camden 

 Shoal, and when the Island of Caluhia is in range with the centre 

 of Tablas Island, all these dangers will have been passed. If the 

 wind is from the westward, the Cuyos Islands may be hugged : Quini- 

 luban is the largest and most northern. If, however, the wind should 

 be from the eastward, it will draw down the Tablas Channel. I 

 think it then would be advisable to pass close to Caluhia Island, 

 standing well over to the Panay shore, and pass to the southward 

 along it. The distance from Ambolan to the shore of Panay is 70 

 miles, south 35° east. The Camden Shoal lies 30 miles from Ambolan. 



The route through the Embarcadero to the east of Mindoro is to 

 haul to the eastward, after passing Luban Island and between it and 

 Mindoro, giving Point Santiago, the south point of Luzon, a good berth, 

 to clear the Minerva Rock, stretching over to the Mindoro side ; for 

 the wind will generally be found to draw from the eastward, conse- 

 quently it will be a dead beat. The length of the Embarcadero to 

 pass Mindoro is 50 miles, and averages 10 miles in width. When up 

 with the Isle Verde, a fair wind may be expected. This route is then 

 free from danger, and may be navigated in the night. Anchorage 

 may be found in Calapan Roads, and within the Bacos Isles ; and the 

 south end of Luzon also affords many temporary stopping-places, if 

 desired. It is high water, full and change, at 7 A. m. The tides flow 

 through with some strength. 



In the Embarcadero lie the Island of Maricoban, the Bacos Silunay 

 Isles, and the Isle Verde ; in their neighborhood the channel is compa- 

 ratively narrow, but there is ample room to work a large vessel. 



ISLAND OF PANAY. 



The Island of Panay is of similar formation to Mindoro, and like it, 



