is doubted, however, if there is shelter sufficient in a breeze for a vessel of greater draught.

Lam-yit 南日

Island, the southern and largest of the archipelago called the Eighteen Yits, is 7 miles long in an E.S. E. and W.N.W. direction, and fronts the deep and extensive gulf named Hungwha sound. The eastern peak, High Cone, 565 feet above the sea, and the highest point of the island, is in lat. 25° 12'N, long. 119° 35' E.

The south point of the island is a bold table-land, off which and connected at low water is South Yit islet, to the north-west of which will be found a snug and excellent anchorage in the North-east monsoon. On rounding, give the South Yit a berth of a quarter of a mile, and then haul up into the bay, being prepared to anchor directly the water shoals. N.W. 2 miles from the South Yit is a flat rock, which is always above water; and S. by E. 4 cables from this rock is a reef, awash at low tide. This is the only danger in the bay, and it will be avoided by keeping within 1 mile of the South Yit, should the vessel not fetch up into smooth water after rounding it.

Lam-yit Channel is to the westward of Lam-yit island, and a vessel proceeding through it towards Hungwha sound from the anchorage on the south side of Lam-yit, must be careful on the flood to steer well to the south-west to avoid a sandbank extending 24 miles in a southerly direction from the west point of Lam-yit. From the southernmost edge, in 2 fathoms, the South Yit bore E. S.; its western edge will be avoided by keeping Lam point (the west point of the island, which will be known by its three chimneys) to the eastward of North.

H.M.S. Plover examined this bank three different times, and on each occasion found a change. On one occasion a passage was discovered between it and the point the outline of the bank, however, may be detected by discoloured water. On the western side of the channel there is also a rocky patch of 1 fathoms, the eastern edge of which bears S. by W. 2 miles from Clam islet (the largest islet between Lam-yit and the main;) from its southern edge, Lam point bore E. by N.

Anchorage.—The Plover rode out a strong N.E. gale between Lam point and Clam islet; but better shelter will be found to the southward of Lam point, where the junks anchor. The outer rock off the point always shows, and may be rounded close to; but it must not be brought to the westward of N.N.W.; as the water shoals suddenly, and there is a sunken rock in the bay at 6 cables to the southward of it. The best position is as close up under the point as the vessel's draught will permit. There is anchorage for vessels of large draught in 4 or 5 fathoms, at 11⁄2 mile to the northward of the point.

Hungwha Sound.—Besides Lam-yit island (which, as already stated, fronts Hungwha scund), there are many islands and rocks within the sound bordering its shores, the principal ones being near its entrance points. The only passages that must be used to enter it are, the Lam-Yit and Hungwha channels, and Hai-tan strait.

Directions. If bound through the Lam-yit channel for the entrance of the Hungwha or Hinghwa river, which flows into the western part of

Hungwha sound, steer northerly 7 miles from Lam point, when the vessel will be one mile to the northward of Knob island, and should then steer for Pitew point, which bears N. W., 7 miles from the Knob. A patch of rocks lies to the north-west of Knob island, the eastern one of which bears N. by W. 8 cables from the island, and the north-westernmost N.W. W. 1 mile; a part of them always show. There is another patch off Pitew point, the south-east end of which bears E.S.E. 2 miles from the south-east corner of the fort. There is good anchorage in 6 fathoms with the corner of the fort on Pitew point bearing E.N.E. The entrance to Hungwha river, leading to the town, bears W. by S. from Pitew point; the depth shoals to 6 feet at low water at 5 miles from the fort. There was a piratical establishment on the main, S. W. from Pitew point.

A vessel leaving Hungwha sound, and intending to pass northward of Lamyit island, should use the channel north of the Passage islands, which are three in number, and bear N.N.E. 5 miles from Lam point. Between Lam point and these islands is Cliff island, in the vicinity of which are several reefs, rendering the channel between it and Lam-yit, and between it and the Passage islands, precarious. A ledge extends 2 cables in a westerly direction from the southwest point of the west Passage island.

The channel to the northward of the Passage islands * is 4 cables wide, and on its northern side is a rock, with a reef, which shows at low water, lying 14 cable to the westward of it. North of the rock 14 cable is a small islet; and 4 cables north of the islet is Rugged island.

The north-east Passage island is a bold bluff, steep-to on its north side; from thence a vessel may steer to pass either north or south of White island, which bears East 4 miles from the Passage islands. If passing south of this island, take care to avoid three rocks, named the Hung, which cover at first quarter flood, and bear S. by W. 1 mile from it. E. by N. 24 miles from White island is in the southern edge of a reef extending three-quarters of a mile from Kerr island; + having passed which, haul to the northward, and work up inside Chim island, to the westward of which there are no dangers, except a rock at the entrance of Vangan inlet, which may be avoided by keeping 14 cable from the shore. Here vessels will have smooth water, protected from the easterly swell by Chim island. On the south point of Vangan inlet there is a walled town and pagoda.

Hungwha Channel is to the north-east of Lam-yit island, and its southern side is bounded by the Eighteen Yits, and its northern side by Sentry, Reef, Sand, and Chim islands. The first two of these four last are called Tong-seu

*H.M.S. Salamander encountered a frightful race and chow-chow water in this channel,

November 1851.

The reef on the main, bearing E. by N. from White island, is very dangerous, and extends nearly 2 miles off shore; it is quite covered an hour after low water. There is good anchorage in the bay to the N.E. of the reef.—Commander J. D. Hay, H.M.S. Columbine, 1848.

A rock, small and steep-to, with only a few feet water over it, is said to lie in Hungwha channel, nearly midway between Vangan point and the N.E. Yit, with Vangan pagoda bearing N. by E., and White island W.4N. The Master of the opium vessel who discovered this danger sounded on it with a boathook. There are also many dangers between Hungwha sound and Hungwha channel, and the chart of this part is not strictly to be relied on; for instance, the Cliffy islands and North Yit do not exist; there is but one Cliffy island with rocks detached off its south-east part, which may be the south-west Cliffy island marked on the chart. There are APP. 11 81

On no account ought vessels to stand in among the Yits, as the ground is very uneven. Triangle Yit, with a reef-to the eastward of it, lies 1 mile to the S.E. of the High Cone peak on Lam-yit island. Cap Yit, the south-easternmost of the group, lies E.N.E. 4 miles from High Cone peak; and 2 miles S.E. from Cap Yit is a group of low rocks, named Scattered Yits, some of which are always above water. Double Yit lies N.E. 14 mile from Cap Yit, and the channel between it and Sentry island is 3 miles wide. N.N.E. 4 miles from Double Yit there is a remarkable white island, named Sand island, called Ang-koi-seu by the pilots, with sandy beaches

and detached hills.

Chim island, or Chau-seu, the highest island in this locality, rises with sloping sides into two peaks, one of which, 640 feet above the sea, has on it three chimneys, the usual pirate signal along the coast of Fuhkien province. At 3 miles to the S.E. of Chim island, and 14 mile northward of Reef island, are four rocks,* with reefs interspersed, called Chim bank.

Directions.-Entering the Hungwha channel from the eastward, pass between Double Yit and Sentry island, and to the westward of Sand island and the rocky islets on its north-west face, off which there is anchorage, should daylight or the tide fail; but the best shelter is off Station island, to the northward of Chim island. On no account whatever pass between Sand, Sentry, Reef, and Chim islands, as this locality has not been sufficiently examined, and beware of the reefs to the eastward of Reef island.

Hai-tan Istand.—This large and irregular shaped island lies near the mainland between the parallels of 25° 24′ and 25° 40′ N. Its northern part is high, the peak of the Kiangshan hills rising 1,420 feet above the level of the sea, while the eastern and western shores are low, and indented by deep sandy bays. Numerous small islands and rocks occupy Hai-tan strait, the channel between the island and the coast, and although it is not to be recommended, being very intricate, yet the junks invariably use it; one was found lying there, having been detained 27 days waiting for an opportunity to get out at the northern end.†

Hai-tan point, the south extreme of Hai-tan island, is a rugged, sandy headland, with large boulders sticking up here and there. Off the point are several rocks a little above high water, and a sunken rock lies 7 cables eastward of them, and nearly 6 cables from the shore. The best mark to avoid this rock is not to haul into the south-east entrance of Hai-tan strait until the rocks off Hai-tan point bear E.N.E. Station island is 3 miles to the north-west of this point, and the south coast of Hai-tan between is shoal, with detached reefs, and should not be approached within a long mile. The reef lying to the westward of Station island is covered at high tides.

From Hai-tan point the south-east coast of the island trends N.E. by E. 61

two dangerous rocks, awash at half tide, between Cliffy island and Red Yit, in line with the former and a little to the northward of the latter, and directly in the way of navigation. The Hung rocks are somewhat out of position, being more to the eastward of Red Yit.--Charles G. Johnston, Master of H.M.S. Bittern, 1856.

* The chart only shows two.

See Plan of Hai-tan strait, No. 1,985; scale, m = 1 inch.

miles to Hae head, and between these points is a deep sandy bay, with several detached rocks, the most remarkable of which, Trite island, forms in three peaks. S.E. 2 miles from this island is South reef, portions of which are visible, unless the tides are very high, and the water smooth; from it, Chim island bears W. by S., and Turnabout island N.E. by E.E.

Between Hae head and Tan point, 7 miles to the N. by E, is Hai-tan bay, a deep sandy bight, with numerous rocks both above and below water. Tan point, which is a low cliff, with a mound at the back of it, forms the south extreme of Kwing bay; and at 1 mile to the eastward of it are the Tan rocks, some of which are always visible. Kwing island, known to the natives as Holo-ú, from its resemblance to a gourd, lies a mile to the northward of Tan point, and reefs extend in a south-easterly direction a mile from its eastern side. The channel between the island and the point is much obstructed by reefs at its western end, and the swell rolls home to the Hai-tan shore. Between Kwing and Hai-tan is another islet ; but the tide rushes through these channels with such velocity that they ought never to be taken.

Directions.--A vessel approaching the south-east entrance to Hai-tan strait from the northward, after rounding Hae head, will avoid the South reef by passing about half a mile to the southward of Trite island. Junks occasionally take shelter under Hae head, and it is said that some vessels have done so in the North-east monsoon; it will, however, be found much exposed, should the wind haul to the southward of East.

If entering from the southward, pass about a mile to the eastward of Chim bank, and when the northernmost of the rocks bears W.S.W. one mile, steer about N.W. by W., until Junk Sail rock bears North, to avoid a sand spit which extends from the point north-west of Station island, and then haul up for Junk Sail, from which a reef extends half a cable's length both to the southward and to the westward. N.W. by W. a mile from Junk Sail is Pass island, from which a sandbank extends in a southerly direction, and its extreme end bears from the west point of Junk Sail S.W. by W. W., and the channel between is rather less than half a mile wide. A reef of rocks, showing at half tide, lies N.E. 3 cables from the summit of Pass island. Keep to the eastward of this reef, and between it and a small islet lying 4 cables to the N.N.E., having a mud spit with rocks extending S.S. E. 3 cables from it; nor can the islet be approached within a cable's length of high-water mark on its western side.

Having cleared this part of the channel, steer N. by W.W., to pass eastward of Flag island, which has a spit extending South 3 cables from it, and a ledge of rocks off its north-east point, on which H.M.S. Plover lost her false keel. From thence bring the east end of Flag island in line with the west end of Pass island bearing S. 4E., and it will lead in mid-channel 5 miles above Flag island. Care, however, must be taken not to open them, as there is a reef, which shows at low water, lying 1 mile northward of Flag island, and from it a chimney hill on Hai-tan bears E. by N.; by keeping the chimneys on Chim island just open westward of the west point of the islet lying N.E. of Pass island, it will be avoided.

When Pillar rock, or Shih-pai-yang (on the Hai-tan shore,

N. by E. 6 miles from Flag island,) bears N.E. by E., steer N.W. by W. until Slut island or Tang-seu bears N. by W., when it may be steered for, passing westward of Tower rock, which lies N.W. 8 miles from Flag island, and has a reef cable westward of it. The summit of Slut bears N. by W. W. 4 miles from Tower rock, and between them are several reefs; the west end of the reef (part of which always shows), nearest the rock, bears N. W. 8 cables from it.

N. by W. 24 miles from the Tower rock is a reef which only shows at low water; and when on it, the Cow's Horn, or Niu-kioh-shan (a remarkable peak on the main outside the strait) bears N. by W., and is in line with the east end of Slut island, Pillar rock bears S.E. by S., and Tower rock is in line with the south-west point of Hai-tan. The channel out of the strait is between this latter reef and a Black-peaked rock, bearing from the reef W. by N.IN. three-quarters of a mile. Rocks visible at low tide extend from the Black-peaked rock south-easterly a quarter of a mile, and there is also a reef lying half a mile to the southward of it. Both these reefs on the western side of the channel will be avoided by keeping the summit of Slut to the northward of N.E.; there are several reefs between Black-peaked rock and Chung island. The best channel out of Hai-tan strait is to the eastward of Slut island, between Slut and Shingan islands. Reefs extend from both shores, narrowing the channel to 4 cables' lengths. When working through the narrows, the summit of Slut must not be brought to the southward of S.W.S., as a rocky patch, with only 9 feet on it, lies 7 cables to the north-east of the island. N.N.E.E. 2 miles from the summit of Slut island is a sunken rock, on which the sea breaks at low water; when upon it, the Cow's Horn bears N.W.N. Shingan island, on the eastern side of the narrows, trends away to the N.E breaking into detached fragments, and giving a little more room for a board; but the main difficulty is the tide, which, after a vessel is through the channel, affords little or no help, so that, unless there is a slant of wind, she is liable to be driven among the small islets north of Hai-tan, and if a dull sailer, and unable to clear the dangers in one tide, she will be compelled to bear up before dark.

There are three other channels between Slut island and Hai-tan island, none of which, owing to the height of the islands, and consequent liability to be becalmed, are so good as the one described. The flood tide enters through all these, but with great irregularity; it should, however, be observed, that while the Plover was employed on this portion of the survey, a very severe typhoong occurred to the northwards, which may in some measure have caused the difficulty experienced by her getting out at this end.

Tessara Islands are a group of four islets lying N.N.E. 6 miles from Slut island, and between them and the Cow's Horn the depth is 6 fathoms. A reef extends S.S.E. 3 cables from the easternmost islet.

Red Rock is a small islet with reefs about it, lying S.E. by S. 3 miles from the Tessara islands. Vessels should not close the Hai-tan shore to the eastward of this rock, as the intervening space between it and the Warning rocks (which are about 80 feet high, and lie 7 miles to the eastward) is strewn with reefs.