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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MARCE, 1902.
6. In rounding the North end of the Andamanis in the Ranger at about three Miles from the Shore we discovered a shoal of Coral Bocks upon which there was not more than 21 fathoms this shoal was discovered some time ago by the Captain of a Countrey Ship who reported it to Captain Blair, and as it is in a very dangerous and inconvenient Situation for the approach of this Harbour from the Northward and Westward Captain Blair of the Union Snow, with one of the other Vessels went immediately to examine and lay its Situation exactly down.
7. About a Month ago the Viper Snow was returning from the Coco's, where she had been for a Cargo of Coconnts, was in a Calm hazy night by an unexpected set of a Current carried so near the Shore a few Miles to the Northward of this Harbour Before it was discovered that she grounded on a lidge of Rocks from which she was with difficulty got off with so much damage to her bottom that she has been deemed obliged to be layed on Shore at this place to be repaired, which is now ncarly effected, in consequence of this aceident Captain Blair was obliged to detain the Sea Horse Pilot Vessel then ready to sail for Bengal, to bring up the remaining part of the Labourers Stores, aud Planks from old Harbour, from which place She arrived on the 7th Inst.
8. As the Sea Horse is one of the vessels that is Esteemed too large for the Pilot Service but peculiarly well Suited as a Transport for this Settlement, I have in concurrence with the Wish of the Master Attendant at Calcutta exchanged the officers and Crew of the Ranger into her and now dispatch the Ranger under Command of Captain Pitman to be taken again into the Pilot Service..
9. Upon consulting with the Captain it appears that three Vessels of nearly the burthen of the Cornwallis or Sea Horse will be necessary to supply the Settlement in its present state with provisions and Stores ; untill another of the large Vessels from the Pilot Service can be spared, it will therefore be oxpedient to keep the Union Snow on freight.
10. On making out the macessary Establishment of People for this Settlement there was an omission of a European and an Assistant to attend the Peach and Superintend the Shipping and reshipping of Provisions and Stores and a Serang and twenty Sea Lascars for manning the Boats employed on this Service, also a Ship Carpenter and Assistant for making repairs on the vessels and for building Boats, these people are exceeding necessary and have been heretofore employed by Captain Blair ; I have therefore taken upon me to continue them on the same salaries that he allowed them.
11. There is a small decked Vessel and a large Long boat the property of Captain Blair for the purpose of transporting Stores and Provisions and as they are absolutely necessary for the use of the Service I have requested Captain Blair to leave them. The charge that he makes for them is three thousand Sicca Rupees which I believe to be moderate I have therefore drawn on Government for this Sum in his favor ; several more Vessels of this Sort will be necessary but in future, I shall construct them of the limber of the Izlanil, anil with the Workmen of the Establishment.
12. I have great satisfaction in saying that there is the greatest abundance of good fresh Water in this Harbour, and that by a very little trouble watering places may be made for supplying: the largest Fleet with great expedition and ease.
13. The surface of Ohatham Island is very uneven but the Soil appears to be rich and there is no mixture of Stones as at the old Harbour, so that there is little part of the Island that may not. with ease be cut into Terraces and put into Cultivation.
14. On the neighbouring shores of the main Island there appears much Land of a more lerel Surface which as it is exactly of the same quality cannot fail of being very productive when cleared, and put in Cultivation and from a first view of things I cannot help entertaining the most sanguine hopes there are few of the Fruits or Grains of Indostan that will not be produced here in great aburdance; I must however observe that the Clearing of the Land from the immense Timber that it is taickly covered with, is a slow and most laborious work, Good Labourers are therefore what we most
