in 4 to 6 fathoms, sheltered from all but westerly winds. The Acteon anchored in 44 fathons, with Chang-shan peak bearing N.E. by E.4E, the west extreme of Chang-shan N.W. by N., and the temple in the rear of Ten-chau-fu South a little easterly.

There is anchorage in 6 to 9 fathoms in Chief bay on the south side of To-ki island; it is well protected from the northward and westward, but quite open to southerly winds.

H.M.S. Wellesley anchored in 12 fathoms under Kao-shan or Quoin island during a strong northerly wind, with the island bearing from North to N.N.E. E. about a mile distant.

Ta-chu Shan 大竹山,

or Great Bamboo island, the easternmost of the Miau-tau group, is 480 feet high, and can be seen at a distance of 30 miles. The island has a white shingly beach around it, and appears bold-to. Chang-shan,

or Long island, the largest of the Miau-tau group, has a sandy spit named Chang-shan Tail, extending South a long half mile from Spit point, its south extreme, with irregular soundings of 4 and 2 fathoms to the southward, the latter depth being neary 14 mile from the point. The Tail shows at low water; a tidal overfall is very perceptible on it, and continues so for a considerable distance across the strait, like breakers far to the southward of real danger. H.M.S. Furious, April 1858, grounded at 1 mile from Spit point, with the east extreme of Chang-shan just shutting in with the south extreme, bearing N.E.; and the western end of Ta-hi shan island N. W. by W. As night was approaching, there was no time for examining the shoal, but the vessel appeared to have grounded on its southern limit, having 2 fathoms at her bows and amidships, and 5 fathoms under her stern.

A small round hill, with a heap of stones on it, forming the extreme of the land to the north-eastward of the village on Miau-tau island, kept open of Ship point (a low bluff of a reddish colour, forming the western extreme of the southern part of Chang-shan), N.N.W.W. will lead in 5 fathoms water to the south-west of the spit. The above hill is low, and to the north-east of the village is a higher hill, having also a heap of stones on its summit.

Ta Hi-shan 大黑山, and Siau Hi-shan 小黑山,

or Great and Little Black islands, lie to the westward of Chang-shan, and between them is a small island, named Miau-tau or Temple island, 310 feet high. Hope sound, on the north-west side of Temple island, as before stated, is the best and most sheltered anchorage among the Miau-tau group.

To-ki Island, about 10 miles to the northward of Chang-shan, may be readily distinguished by its peak, 613 feet high, and is in the form of a right angle triangle, the shortest sides facing the south and west. There are four villages upon the southern side of the island, and one or two on the northeast side. The whole of the southern part of To-ki appears clear of danger. The small rock off its south-eastern point, and Mochang-shi islet off its southwest end may be passed at a cable's length.

Kao-shan is a remarkable little island, lying nearly 5 miles W.S. W. of Toki. Its form is like a gunner's quoin, with the highest part (650 feet high) to 161

APP. 21

the southward. The island to the southward, named Hou-ki, 310 feet high, has a reef extending some little distance from its northern side, and another off its eastern end.

Nimrod Rock.-H.M.S. Nimrod, June 1859, whilst steering for the passage between To-ki and Kao-shan, passed a small rock just above water. The following bearings were taken when abreast the rock:-North extreme of Toki, N.W.¿W., the rock in line with the eastern extreme of Hwang-chin island, N. by E. E.; and the rock in line with the eastern extreme of Ta-kin island, N.AW. This rock is probably identical with the Hesper; for in Commander Ward's survey there is nothing less than 9 fathoms in the position assigned to it.

Hesper Rock-This danger was discovered by J. Loane, Master, R. N., commanding H.M.S. Hesper, when endeavouring to find the Nimrod rock. It dries from 4 to 6 feet at low water springs, and is scarcely covered at neaps; in fact at the highest tides a break or mostly a ripple, visible in daylight and clear weather, shows its position. From the rock the west extreme of Ta-kin island, which is 590 feet high, bears N.N.W.4W.; the summit of Kao-shan (which is conspicuous and quoin-shaped), W. N.; and the highest part of Tachu-san, 480 feet high, S. by E. The rock is only about 30 yards in extent. east and west, and 8 or 10 yards wide, and when first seen, bearing E.N., it had the appearance of a wreck or abandoned vessel, with her timbers showing above water. Great caution should be used in approaching this locality at high water.

The Hesper passed the south and south-east sides of the rock at the distance of 3 cables, and carried 12 fathoms water. When it bore N.E. it was in line with the east end of Hwang-ching, and when W.N.W. it was in line with the north side of To-ki; attention to these two bearings will lead either eastward or southward of it.

Fisherman Rock is nearly in the middle of the channel between To-ki and Ta-kin islands, and is seldom visible, being only just awash at low water spring tides. A ripple generally shows its position during both flood and ebb streams when the sea is smooth, but when either stream has ceased, no signs of it appear. From the rock, the east extreme of Ta-kin island appears just touching the west extreme of North Hwang-ching island, N.N.E. E.; Quoin island is just seen over the north extreme of To-ki, S.W. by W.; and the western side of Sha-mo island is in line with the centre of Siau Chu-shan, S. by E., easterly. Directions.-Vessels bound through Miau-tau strait from the eastward should not bring the south point of Chang-shan in line with Island head, bearing N.E., until the north point of Miau-tau island is seen clear of Ship point (the western point of the southern part of Chang-shan) bearing N.N.W. W. This latter line of bearing clears Chang-shan Tail, when the course may be altered to the northward for the anchorage on the south side of Chang-shan. Or should the anchorage in Hope sound, on the north side of Miau-tau island, be preferred, after rounding Chang-shan Tail, steer N.W. by W. W., until Ellis island is just seen clear of Club point, bearing about N. by E., then run in on that line and anchor, with Cairn hill, the northern summit of Changshan, bearing N. E. by E., the temple on Miau-tau E.S., and the summit of Siau-hi-shan N.W.W., or as near to this position as circumstances will

admit. The bottom, as is generally the case on this coast, is stiff mud, and therefore holds well.

If intending to pass through the strait without anchoring, after clearing Chang-shan Tail, keep on the north side of the strait in 6 or 7 fathoms, and be careful of getting into 10 and 12 fathoms, as the deepest water borders the Teng-chau bank projecting from Temple point, on the southern shore of the strait, to avoid which, Teng-chau point should not be brought eastward of S.E. by E. until Ta-hi-shan island bears N. by E.¿E., when edge to the southward, or if necessary haul round into Temple bay, between the shoal and the rocks which extend nearly 1 mile off between Temple and Hwang bays.

On leaving the anchorage in Temple bay, keep to the westward, to avoid the rocks just noticed; and if bound into Niau-tau strait, in proceeding to the northward, the point off which they lie should not be brought to the westward of S. by E. until Teng-chau point bears S.E. by E.

Vessels bound to the Pei-ho, or other ports in the Gulfs of Pe-chili and Liau-tung, are recommended to use the channel on the north side of Changshan island, the course and distance from 2 miles outside of Alceste island to the middle of which is W.N. W. 99 miles. As before stated, with the exception of the Hesper and Fisherman rocks, and the reef extending a mile to the southward of Sha-mo island, the whole of the entrances to the northward of Chang-shan appear to be clear of danger.

The channel between To-ki and Ta-kin islands cannot be recommended to a stranger on account of the Fisherman rock; but if compelled to take it, and intending to pass northward of the rock, do not bring the south end of Ta-kin to the northward of N.W. by W.4W., until Kaoshan island opens west of Toki. In passing to the southward of the rock, do not bring the northern point of To-ki to the southward of West until its eastern point bears South.

There is a narrow deep channel between the North and South Hwangching islands, but at its east entrance, nearly in the centre, there is the rock which dries 6 feet at low water, and, therefore, nearly always visible. There is also the reef with a flat rock on it, extending a quarter of a mile from the north-west point of South Hwan-ching.

Tides.—It is high water, full and change, at the anchorage off Teng-chau, at 8h. Om., and the springs' rise is about 7 feet. At Miau-tau island, it is high water at 10h. 35m., and the rise is about 6 feet. Between the Shantung promontory and the neighbourhood of Miau-tau strait the flood tide sets to the westward, and the ebb to the eastward; but within the strait, a few miles westward of Teng-chau, the flood will be found setting to the eastward, and the ebb to the westward. This is probably the effect of the water from the Yellow Sea flowing between Shantung promontory and Korea into the Gulf of Pechili, and being repelled from the Liau-tung coast westward, around the circular shores of the Gulf of Pe-chili, has, when it reaches Teng-chau, sufficient strength to resist and overcome the feeble efforts of the eddy tide setting round Shantung promontory to the westward.

From Teng-chau the coast takes a W.S. W. direction for 25 miles, to a projecting point, on which stands a village; it then trends south, curving gradually round to the westward, and forming the southernmost shore of the Gulf of Pe-chili.

GULF OF PE-CHILI.

Aspect of Coast.—From Miau-tau strait the southern coast of this gulf trends first in a south-westerly direction for 50 miles; it then bends round to the west, north-west, and north to the mouth of the Pei-ho. The shore is low and flat, and shoal water extends some distance from the land.

Between Miau-tau strait and Lai-chau the shore is exceedingly dangerous, and should be approached with caution. Chi-ma-tau promontory is a hill, about 250 feet high, joined to the mainland by an isthmus of sand; the sea face is abrupt, but reefs extend from it nearly 1 mile, with 10 and 11 fathoms close to. Sang-tau island is low and flat, with a large village on it; the island is surrounded by extensive reefs, and should not be approached within 2 miles ; the outermost reef has a sand island on it. Lutai bay is full of shoals. Sanson or Saddle hill, 300 feet high, forms a point in a sandy plain. Fuyung Quoin is an island resembling a quoin; a rock lies one mile outside it.

Lai-chau fuf, or Thistle city, said to be in lat. 37° 13′ N., long. 119° 50′ E., stands near the eastern point of the mouth of its contiguous river. There is a fort and high craggy cliffs a little to the eastward.

The Lai-chau Bank, of hard sand, and exceedingly dangerous, extends 11 miles in a N.W. by N. direction from a low point between Fuyung Quoin island and Saddle hill. The Saddle bearing S.E. by E. leads in 7 to 8 fathoms close to the eastward of its north extreme; and Fuyung Quoin in line with the high sharp peak of Mount Elias, S.S.E. leads to the westward.

Li-tsin Ho.-The vicinity of this river may be known by the singular nature of the bottom-a yellow clay, into which the lead sinks 4 to 6 feet. Its bar is well marked by the Chinese, the estuary taking an easterly direction through

the banks.

From Lai-chau to this river the coast is very low, and skirted by sand banks. From the Li-tsin ho to the Ta-san ho the shore is irregular and broken by large openings; the sand banks extend out in some places 3 or 4 miles. The Ta-san ho is smaller than either the Li-tsin ho or the Pei ho; the bar takes a northerly direction.

Between the Ta-san ho and the Chi-kau ho the sand plain is somewhat higher, and the beach steep at high water; at low tide it would dry out a mile.

The Chi-kau Ho is a salt water creek, which enters the sea through the banks by a narrow tortuous channel, having a bar nearly dry at low water. It runs up about 3 miles to some villages, is 60 to 70 yards wide, carries 15 to 16 feet water, and boats could lie in it in 2 fathoms at low tide, not more than 300 yards from terra firma. The springs rise about 9 feet and neaps 7 feet.

The anchorage off this river is open from North to South. The water is very shoal, there being only 4 fathoms at 8 miles, and 2 fathoms at about 2 miles from the entrance. There are shoals of 7 feet at about 4 miles from the mouth of the river; a clump of trees bearing S.W.W. clears the north shol,

Small vessels can close the shore at half-tide on that bearing to about 11⁄2 mile, in 12 feet water. The passage over the bar should not be attempted without

buoying.

Coast between the Chi-kau Ho and the Peh-tang Ho.-Between the Chi-kau ho and the Pei ho the soundings are still shoal, the depths being only 4 fathoms at 7 or 8 miles from the coast. The sands, which dry out at low water to a distance of 1 mile, are hard, and men can walk on them without inconvenience. At about 8 miles south of the river there is an inlet which may be mistaken for a river, and into which the water flows at half flood. At two places between the Chi-kau ho and Pei ho the sea overflows at very high tides, but only to a depth of a few inches; the country inside is a plain of sand, apparently dry, except at places at the top of the tide, and is almost entirely uncultivated. There appears to be almost an unbroken line of sandy beach at the high water level, raised sufficiently to be above the influence of ordinary tides.

An extensive flat runs out between Pei ho and Peh-tang ho, dry land appearing to run in about a north and south direction. The mud at the mouth of the Pei ho appears to be soft only where it is thrown up on the banks from the force of the stream.

Sha-lui-tien

田

Island and Banks.—Sha-lui-tien island, distant

120 miles to the N.W. by W. of Teng-chau, lies at the south-east extreme of an extensive range of sand banks, which should be approached with caution, particularly in thick or foggy weather. The isla d is low, but it has a temple on it, which, standing alone and upon an elevated spot, is conspicuous. of the banks dry at low water.

Some

There are passages between these banks, through which small junks go, and shoals innumerable, over which nets are spread, but there appears to be no open channel between the banks and the mainland; there is a junk passage, in some parts available only at high water.

Tien-tsin Hoor Pei Ho

(ie., White River, the

entrance being known by the former name.) The Pique anchored off the entrance of the Pei ho, in 5 fathoms, with the entrance bearing W.N.W. distant about 7 miles, and the beacon on the bar W N. 4 miles. As it was then nearly high water and spring tides, the vessel was expected to touch the ground at low water; not less than 23 feet, however, was obtained alongside during her stay, which is the least depth a vessel drawing above 20 feet should attempt to anchor in.

The holding ground at this anchorage is excellent. A heavy gale would bring in an unpleasant sea, yet with good ground tackling and plenty of cable out, it was considered that a sailing vessel ought to ride out a summer gale. The anchorage seems to be a wild one in winter, but if the gales are off shore the sea would not be heavy.

Bar. The bar at the entrance of the Pei ho is about 2 miles in length, in a N.W. by W. and S.E. by E. direction, and consists of hard mud. It presents less difficulty than the mud banks on either side of the river entrance, for the passage across the bar is wide, while between the banks the deep water channel