MANILLA AND SOOLOO SEA. 



357 



anchorage off it, and supplies may be had in abundance. During 

 the northeast monsoon, the current sets to the westward, which it 

 will be well to guard against in proceeding to the southward, as a 

 vessel might be set by it towards the Golconda Shoal or the Cagayanes. 

 If proceeding south, steer for Point Baloganon on Mindanao, distant 

 150 miles due south : the winds are generally from the northward 

 and eastward ; but if bound to the northward from Mindanao, the 

 course should be more to the eastward, hugging the Island of Negros 

 closely, where the winds will be more favorable, and enable a vessel 

 to take advantage of any variation in the winds that may occur 

 under the islands, as well as of the land and sea breezes. The coasts 

 of these islands are all bold, and have no outlying rocks which are 

 not visible. 



The Golconda Shoal, which lies to the southwest of Point Nasog, 35 

 miles, is of coral and low : on it the sea sometimes breaks, but it is 

 not in the way of vessels, if they do not fall to leeward. The Caga- 

 yanes lie to the west, on this route : they are two low islands, of con- 

 siderable extent, covered with bushes and a few trees : a reef sur- 

 rounds them, projecting off from their northern side H to 2 miles. 

 A passage is said to exist between them, but it is obstructed by reefs, 

 and is useless. To the west of these islands lie the smaller ones of 

 Cabreja and Cavalli : the former lies at the distance of 15 miles, and the 

 latter at 45 : they lie in range with others, which extend across the 

 Sooloo Sea, in an east-northeast and west-southwest direction. 



ISLAND OF MINDANAO. 



The Island of Mindanao should not be approached too closely, for 

 fear of losing the breeze. The land is very high, rising to 3000 feet, 

 but more even and regular than the islands to the northward : unlike 

 them it is covered to the very top with woods. 



The Straits of Basillan are entered from the north when Damoloo 

 Point is passed. Should the wind be favorable, I would advise a vessel 

 to proceed forthwith, notwithstanding the tide may be unfavorable. 

 The tides are very irregular in their flow, and are much governed by 

 the winds. It is better to hug the Mindanao shore of the Strait, as 

 the winds are generally from the northward and westward, and often 

 there is a strong land-breeze, which makes it favorable for vessels 



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