3G4 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



over them. This route may be followed at any time of the year, while 

 the others are precarious at all times ; it is therefore preferable for 

 vessels bound to the eastward, even during the favorable monsoons, to 

 adopt it. 



The map annexed to the Chapter on Winds will point out this 

 route, and those that may be advantageous for vessels, when desirous 

 of taking the Equatorial Passage. During the northwest monsoon any 

 one of the southern routes may be taken which lead towards it ; then 

 a quick and pleasant passage may be secured. I am inclined to believe 

 that it will be found much more expeditious to take this route home, 

 through the South Pacific, and so towards Cape Horn, than by the 

 way of the Cape of Good Hope. Although the distance is somewhat 

 greater, yet the winds will be found favorable and strong during 

 the whole distance, and safer, especially during the seasons of the 

 typhoons. 



The route across the China Sea between Singapore and Balabac 

 Straits is practicable at all seasons of the year. I need not give any 

 directions relative to it ; they will be found fully treated of by Hors- 

 burgh, in his valuable work, " The Sailing Directions for the China 

 Seas." There is no great difficulty of beating up or down the China 

 Sea against the monsoons in a well-found vessel. Much depends on 

 the qualities of the ship, and the judgment of the navigator. The 

 monsoons vary at times several points from the direction whence they 

 are supposed constantly to blow, and from which their name is derived.' 



The route we passed over from the Straits of Balabac to Singapore, 

 was to the north of the North Natuna, and near to the Hercules 

 Rock. The Viper Shoal, reported off the Straits of Balabac, marked 

 on the chart as doubtful, was not seen by us, and I do not believe it 

 exists, certainly not in the place where it is laid down. We passed to 

 the north of the Anambas Isles, made Pulo Pisang and Pulo Aor, 

 and from thence stood down the coast to Cape Romania, and entered 

 the Strait of Singapore, to the north of the Pedro Branco, and be- 

 tween it and the Cape Romania Reef, then stood directly up the 

 channel for the Island of Singapore, where we anchored. On the 

 eastern side of the China Sea we experienced a current, setting to 

 the northwards 22 miles in the twenty-four hours, which is not 

 noticed in Horsburgh ; as we approached the west side we found it 

 setting to the west 13 miles. During the northeast monsoon, and par- 

 ticularly towards the end of it, this current is found to prevail; 



