ORIGINAL PAPERS.

DECEMBER, 1838.

NOTES IN THE INDIAN SEAS.-Hydrography.-By Commander M. Quin, H.M.S. Raleigh.

Sand Bank in

Straits of Malacca.-15th January, 1837.-Lat. 2° 10′ N., long. 101° 54′ E., 3 fathoms, Cape Rachado, N. W., Peak Mount Ophir, E.N.E., north end of Pulo Roupat, west; south end S.S.W. W. At 1h. 30m. P.M. while standing N. by W. from Pulo Roupat, had no bottom with twenty fathoms of line, next cast had five fathoms; up helm, and stood to N.E., shoaled water to 4 fathoms, anchored with the stream, sent three boats to sound, and the least water found, was 3 fathoms: 2h. 30m. weighed and swept to the S.S.E.; gigs ahead sounding; deepened our water gradually to 11, 14, 16, and 20 fathoms; then hauled up to N.E. This shoal appears to be 1 miles in length, S.S.E. and N.N.W., and is probably the shoal bank marked "doubtful" on the chart of the Straits of Malacca, about twenty miles to the S.E. of the bearings marked above.

Straits of Siak.-19th January, 1837.-Bookit Battoo is situated on a river, on the western side of Siak Strait; and is built on piles, being the principal station of the war proas of the Rajah (the people call him Sultan) of Siak; seventeen were anchored in the river ready for sea, when the Raleigh anchored abreast of it, in 12 fathoms, bearings-Bookit Battoo W.S.W., Tanjong Jattee N. by W. W., Onjong Maroomboong N.W. W. N.B. Bookit Battoo, and vessels in its river, might be easily destroyed by a sloopof-war, anchoring with springs, the depth of water permitting her to anchor, within musket shot-no necessity to send boats away.

are

Entrance to Straits of Siak.-23rd January, 1837.-Mud Banks. There are many mud banks, which in the N.E. monsoons said to shift; very heavy swells and strong winds make it difficult to get out from the Siak Strait into Straits of Malacca; the Raleigh had three days anxious work to accomplish it.

Straits of Callam.-9th February, 1837.-A sure passage for sloops-of-war and small frigates diffident of passing between the Arroas, and the 2 fathom bank; but a boat on either bow sounding and a stream anchor ready are necessary precautions:-In tiding through in the Raleigh, we only kept royals and top-gallant sails set, with fore and aft sails (the other square sails furled) for jungle, ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 12.-VOL. FOR 1838.

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and trees on either side, are so high as to render them inoperative, unless with a leading wind.

Salengore.-10th February, 1837.-Anchored in six fathoms ; Salengore Hill E. by N., two Arrzas S. by E.

Bruas River, Perah Coast.-13th February, 1837.—Anchored off it, in five fathoms, entrance of Bruas E. S. Pulo Tallong S.E. by S., south end of Dinding S. W.; much difficulty in getting to the entrance, from its being surrounded by numerous mud flats, which shift in strong S.W. winds; however when fairly entered, there is plenty of water for gun boats; but the river being narrow, with many elbows, and also obstructed by numbers of trees which have at different times fallen into it, after heavy rains had dislodged them, makes it difficult to get up in boats with masts stepped to the village (a tempory one) where the ex-king of Jurdah lived, which is about three miles up. Large tracts of mud had been left uncovered by the receding tide, and flocks of gulls and other birds were feeding on the worms and small fish. Vast numbers of little amphibious creatures were running about in the mud, and they appeared to be sought after by some of the larger birds. They were from two to eight inches long, resembling a fish in shape, of a light brown colour, and could run and jump by means of two strong pectoral fins. On the approach of an enemy, they bury themselves in the mud with inconceivable rapidity, so that their sudden disappearance seemed to be the work of magic. One of the Malays was employed in catching them, as they are considered to be a great delicacy: he used for the purpose a thin plank, four feet long, and one foot broad; on one end of which, were several sharp pointed nails, the points projecting beyond the ends of the plank. He placed the plank flat upon the mud, and with the right knee resting on it, and kicking the mud with the left foot, he shot along the surface with great rapidity; the sharp pointed nails transfixing the little creatures, before they could succeed in burying themselves sufficiently deep to avoid it. This is a dangerous sport, and requires great skill in the fisherman to prevent accidents, for should he lose his plank, death would almost be inevitable; the mud not having consistence to support him, without the aid of this simple contrivance.-Earl's Eastern Seas.

Pula Varela.-17th February, 1837.-Anchored under it in nineteen fathoms, Pulo Varela N.W. end N.W.W., S.E. end N. § W. At this island good pine spars may be cut, it is not inhabited, except by about thirty fisherman, who come from Battoo Baroo on Sumatra, with their families, and remain some three months in each year, to catch turtle, and preserve their eggs; they also prepare dried fish roes, and fish, for the markets of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. We cut here two pine spars for a fore tack bumpkin, and an anchor davit.

Arroas Islets and Rocks.-19th February, 1837.-Anchored in 7 fathoms bearings, North Rock E. by S. S., Round Arroa, S.E. S., Western Arroa, S. by E. E. Having observed two proas close under the Long Arroa, sent the boats and gun-boat to examine them; they proved to be from Siak and Battoo Baroo, with passes; having come (as at Pula Varela) for the purpose of taking a fishing party from the Long Arroa to Battoo Baroo. This party had been on the former island some three months collecting turtle eggs, preserving them, and drying fish for markets. N.B. These poor fishermen have suffered severely in many instances lately, from being, in their simple occupations, mistaken for, and treated as, pirates.

9th May, 1837.-On return from Manila, Raleigh made Pula Timoan, S.W. by S. 6h. 45m. A.M. the 9th May, from which date until 20th May, we were using every exertion to get to the entrance of the Straits of Malacca, passing between the northern group and Timoan; fine clear weather, and smooth water, but winds light and contrary; calms at interval, which, as there was a strong set to the N.N.E., compelled us to anchor generally twice, and frequently three times in the twenty-four hours; showing the value of a good stream anchor and chain; the depth of water being generally about twenty to twenty-five fathoms. This proves the correctness of Horsburgh's valuable directions relative to commencement of S.W., monsoons, in the China Seas.

Macao Roads.-11th June, 1837.—At 5h. 30m. P.M. anchored with bower in four fathoms, Cabareta Point S. by E., city of Macao W.N.W., Nine islands N.E. by N. The softness of ground in these roads makes it unsafe to remain long at an anchor. The Raleigh was caught in the afternoon of 12th, with a strong gale from the eastward, to which, there was no showing canvas, and although the small bower was let go, and there was eighty fathoms on the best bower, and thirty-six fathoms on small; lower yards, and topmast struck, the ship drifted considerably. I therefore recommend securing the ship in the cap-sing moon, and communicating per Lorcha or fast-boat.

River Min, East Coast, China Province, Fuhkeen.-28th June, 1837.-At 7h. 20m. P.M., anchored off the entrance in ten fathoms. Pih Keurn Shan, or White Dog Island, west point of the Inner island, N.E. E. East point of Outer island, east. 29th, At 6h. 50m. A.M., weighed, cutter and first gig on each bow sounding, ran in for Min River, having shoaled to 24 fathoms, anchored with the stream; drifting too near on the sand surrounding the Passage Rock, and a falling tide, furled sails; sent master to sound. Found deeper water N.E.; lifted stream, drifted into three fathoms then anchored until 1 P.M., when the flood beginning to make weighed, and with the boats ahead ran up the river, and anchored 2h. 15m. with stream in 5 fathoms. Uya Fort N.W. W.; Heekiang S.E. Remarkable sharp Peak N.W. N.; Hummock W.N.W.; Passage Rock, S.E. E.; Peak Rock, E. S.; greatest rise and fall experi

enced 17 feet. The Raleigh remained in this river until 3d July and got out with the ebb without much difficulty.

Foo Choo Foo, Province, and Capital of Fuhkeen.—30th, June, 1837.—At 5h. 45m. A.M. The boats started for Foo Choo Foo, about thirty-eight miles up the River, 6h. 45m. they passed on the south side Knifae Island, and when the Fort on the S.S.W. side bore N.E. by N., pinnace grounded on a bank three quarters of a mile distant, but the tide flowing got her off immediately. At 8h. 20m. passed to the northward of a second island, and opened a fort on the north shore called Minga, the eastmost of two of same name; on the south side a very remarkable Ninepin Rock, which at first appeared like a large boat under sail. At 8h. 50m. passed a large village (Minga) and temple, a beautiful spot; a war junk lying here, no notice being taken the boat passed the second or westmost Minga fort, a convex one, in a sad state of defence, but in a good position for preventing further entrance up the Min; the country on both sides in high cultivation up the sides of hills called step or terrace cultivation. At a large village above the second Minga Fort, the ebb made, and our progress became doubtful; pinnace and cutter grounding frequently, and it was only after having the crews repeatedly overboard we could extricate the boats, and at length managed to get up by sunset, within three miles of Foo Choo Foo, and anchored abreast of a temple on the south shore.

1st. July 1837.-Arrived abreast of Foo Choo Foo, by half-past six A.M., and landed on the north shore, about two cables length below the immense flat stone bridge, which connects the city on both sides the river. The trade of Foo Choo Foo must be immense, for junks of the largest size lie in tiers on each side from the bridge to about one and a half miles to the eastward.

3rd. The boats returned, and Raleigh proceeded to sea, and by 4th, was well outside the White Dog Islands at entrance of river.

Great Loo Choo, Napakiang Roads.-14th.-Anchored fifteen fathoms, coral bottom: Abbey Bluff S.W. by W., Capstern Rock E. by S. S., having entered by the southern passage: Some of the public authorities of Loo Choo came on board, and were desirous to supply all our wants, but evidently with an air of anxiety, that, when they were made good, we should take our departure. We received three bullocks, five pigs, fowls, sweet potatoes, and about 20 tons of water, but no inducement could prevail on those good people to accept

remuneration.

16th.-Ran through the northern passage between reef island and the reefs off the town of Loo Choo.

4th July, 1837.-Rock, marked "doubtful," entrance of China Sea, was seen on the passage to the Loo Choo Islands, when in lat. 26° 8' N., long. 124° 5′ E., it bore S. W., and may be seen twelve or fourteen miles from the deck.

Passage from Loo Choo to the Bonin Islands.-16th July, 1837.Generally experienced light and baffling winds from S., S.E., to E.N.E., and N., up to the 30th, and then a strong gale from the westward carried us to

Port Lloyd, Bonin Island.—2nd August, 1837.—Anchored twentyone fathoms, sand and rotten coral, but good holding ground. South Harbour Rock, S.W. W. Southern Head, S.W. S. Ten fathoms Hole, N. by E. Ten fathoms Hole is extremely narrow, but affords shelter for a sloop of war, or small frigate, but she must be moored head and stern, bow and quarter, for veering is out of the question when once in; perhaps it had better not be used unless for heaving down, for on the western side there is depth of water sufficient. Α few settlers from Oahu, Sandwich Islands, recommended to notice, (of whom it might concern,) by Mr. Charlton, Consul there, as industrious and deserving persons, landed here, 26th June, 1830, and have been very successful in cultivating sweet potatoes, yams, Indian corn, water melons, sugar cane, &c., and rearing pigs; many whalers touch here, and for supplies of such. Wood and water are very plentiful. The Raleigh remained here ten days; had a supply of fresh pork and sweet potatoes for all hands, and being short of salt provisions took away live pigs sufficient to supply the ship's company every day for three weeks, with a proportion of potatoes, pumpkins, and water melons. Capt. Beechey's plan of Port Lloyd is amply sufficient.

11th August, 1837.-Rock not laid down, lat. 27° 13′ N., long. 140° 46′ E., a long rocky low island, bounded by sunken rocks, as we observed the surf breaking heavy all round it: this rock is very dangerous, as it cannot be made out in fine weather, in day-time, more than seven or eight miles distance.

MICHAEL QUIN, Captain.

THOUGHTS ON ALIEN AND QUARANTINE LAWS.

It is surprising that the spirit of the present age, does not suggest the abolishing of the laws, relating to the intercourse of the nations of the world, and of the vexatious interference of the offices called "alien," the very word should be expunged from the dictionary of every civilized country.

The working of this remnant of barbarism, this device of despotism, has fallen much under my observation, and it has puzzled me to discover of what use it is, and why such disgraceful institutions are suffered to pollute the name of a free country. Looking at France for instance, it is a natural question to ask; Is the king of the French, one jot safer on his throne for them? Do not all the