VOYAGE TO THE 
From the Ladrones, I directed the course for the Bashee Islands, 
and on the 7th of April, after experiencing light and variable winds, got 
sight of the two northern islands of that group. The long northerly swell, 
which had attended us almost all the way from the Sandwich Islands, 
ceased immediately we were to the westward of the Ladrones ; and 
indeed the sea between them and the Bashee Islands w^as so smooth 
that its heave was scarcely perceptible. We found by our observa- 
tions that the magnetic meridian intersects the channel between these 
two groups of islands in the meridian of 226° 48' W. in the latitude of 
20° 12' N. 
The Bashee Islands, so called by the Buccaneers, in consequence 
of a drink of that name, which was extracted by the natives from the 
sugar-cane, form a long group very similar to the Ladrones, and ex- 
tend in the same direction nearly from north to south. Until these 
islands were surveyed by Captain Horsburgh their positions were as 
incorrectly determined as those of the Ladrones are at present, A con- 
trary wind, which rendered it necessary to beat through the channel 
between them and Botel Tobago Xima, afforded an opportunity of con- 
necting these islands trigonometrically, and of obtaining transit bearings 
when in intermediate stations between them. The longitude also was 
afterwards measured backwards and forwards between them and Macao, 
and we thus had an opportunity of examining the chart of Captain 
Horsburgh, which appeared to be constructed with great truth and with 
his usual accuracy. 
I regret not having seen the Cumbrian reef ; we stood purposely 
towards it until sun-set, and were within six miles of its situation when 
we were obliged to go about by the approach of night. 
The next day we stood toward the island of Formosa and tacked 
within four miles of the Vele rete rocks, the largest of which has the ap- 
pearance of a vessel under sail. They lie off the south end of the island 
of Formosa'^', and are surrounded by breakers, which in thick weather 
could not be approached with safety. We observed strong ripples in the 
water near them, but the wind did not permit us to enter any for the pur- 
* The large rock bears S. 29“ 09' 15" E. from the west end of Lamay Island. 
