24G 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Madras to Bengal 



gable to a considerable distance, though little frequented by vessels ; and is 

 very broad and rapid at the town ot'Yanaon. This town, with the territory 

 belonging to it, and a small island situated to the S., forms a space about four 

 miles square, and contains a population of about 6000 persons. 



POINT GORDEWARE, or GODAVERY, in latitude 16° 4#K, 

 and longitude about 82' 17' E., is a low, narrow sandbank, several miles in 

 extent; within which, about six miles W. by N., is an opening of one of the 

 branches of Godavery River, commonly called Coringa River, on which stand 

 the town and English factory of 



CORINGA. — Coringa Bay is between the above point and Jaggemaut- 

 poram, whose river's mouth lies about ten miles N. W. by N. from the 

 point; the usual anchorage for country vessels is Jaggernautporam N.N.W., 

 and the bar of Coringa S. W.by S. ; on the bar there are thirteen or fourteen 

 feet water. When over it, the leading mark up the river is a small clump 

 of trees about 120 yards from the starboard shore, kept a-head till you open 

 the river on the starboard side. The town of Coringa is situated on the 

 S. bank of the river. Large ships anchor in five fathoms, Jaggernautporam 

 bearing N.W. by W., and Coringa flagstaff S. S. W. Up the river is the 

 town of Ingeram, where the Company has a Chief, and where large quanti- 

 ties of piece-goods are manufactured. 



Coringa Bay and River are capable of being of infinite service to the 

 King's, Company's, and country ships, being the only place on the W. coast 

 of the Bay of Bengal where a vessel above two hundred tons can be refitted, 

 or stop her leaks during the S. W, monsoon. It is always during that mon- 

 soon so smooth in this bay, that a vessel may venture to take a large heel for 

 that purpose, and if occasion required, could heave down. There are always 

 a great number of caulkers and carpenters employed here all the year round, 

 repairing and building country vessels. In case of necessity, several hundred 

 of these artificers could be procured along the coast ; there are also timber 

 and several stores to be got. Wood and water are obtained with convenience 

 and facility , and fresh provisions of all kinds, were it an established port, 

 could be procured in great quantity. There are also a great number of 

 decked country boats, called donies, which would be of infinite service to a 

 squadron putting in here to refit. To all these advantages, add the vicinity 

 of Coringa Bay to Pegu River, for the supply of large teak timber of all sorts, 

 and other naval stores, not being more than ten days* sail from it in either 

 monsoon ; also the port of Rhio in the S. part of the Straits of Malacca, 

 from whence poon masts and spars are brought, with several other useful 

 articles. The navigation of Coringa Bay has been improved by the erection 

 of a flagstaff lighthouse on Hope Island, to guide ships to the anchorage in 

 that bay. 



