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238
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MAY, 1902.
there is 24 fm a very small distance without the rocks. From east extreme Table islands, Pecook [Pocook] island bears N. 18° W distant 8 miles. The soundings are irregular with several Spots of sand and Coral Particularly within the Opposite bearings of the islands; some Spots so little as 4 fm at the distance of a league from the land Without the Opposite bearings of the islands, the soundings are more regular, deepening to 30 and 35 fms, about two leagues from the ' land. The navigator must not be deceived by this false Appearance, for immediately without the depth of 35, the Water suddenly shoals to 20 which depth will be found within 100 yards of Union ledge; on which there is only 1 fm, at low Water. The greatest extent of this very dangerous ledge is in the direction of the meridian about half a mile the breadth about 300 yards. The soundings are a little irregular even to eastward of this Ledge; there being 28 fms, immediately without it, and beyond that depth, so little as 12, and 10 fms, whence it deepens to 30, 50, and 76 and at the distance of four miles east of the Ledge, there is no ground with 110 fms. From Union Ledge Pecock island bears W 25° N distant seven miles the eastern table island S 30° W the same distance On referring to the Chart it will Appear that many lines of soundings have been run between Union and Jackson Ledges, and that the depth is very unequal, it therefore Should be avoided, though no Dangers have been yet discovered in that Space.
Jackson ledge is situated one league east of the North extreme of East island. The extent in a South east direction is nearly half a mile and the breadth a quarter mile, and the least Water on it is 1 fm., Southwest from this at the distance of one mile is situated Ranger Ledge, a Small Circular Spot of 100 yards diameter, with only four feet on the Shoalest part It bears from the north extreme of East Island E b N and distant from it two miles. To northward of those Ledges I was very Particular in sounding and found very Considerable inequalities in the depth; on some Spots not more than 5 fms, but by a very dilligent look-out from the mast head, I have no reason to think that there is any less than that depth, to northward of Ranger Ledge. Those alarming inequalities of depth do not extend above two miles to northward of Ranger Ledge, and there is a Continuation of similar soundings to westward, extending the same distance round East and Landfall islands. This will be found more clearly expressed in the Chart by a dotted line encompassing the irregularity of Soundings as well as the Dangers, with a written explanation.
It will be Observed by the Chart, that there is a good and deep passage between East island and Ranger Ledge, For this passage no further direction will be necessary, but observing to round East island very close to avoid the Ledges to eastward. The distance of Pecock island would render the bearings too indeterminate for a Mark to avoid the Ledges During the S W monsoon I think it would be improper to Attempt this Passage; for a Ship rounding East island as Close as it can be done with Safety, would hardly weather Jackson and Union Ledges.
Clough passage is formed by the North extremity of the great Island and Northwest Island to the south, and with Landfall Island to the north There is a extensive Reef nearly in the middle, part of which appears above water. On either side of this reef there is deep water, and it will be the Safest mode to pass it pretty close, as a mark to avoid more hidden dangers, which will Appear in the Chart; The Ground in general is Coral, with very alarming over falls, and the tides are irregular Such passages cannot be recommended, though a knowledge of them may prove useful in Particular
cases,
Northwest island is low surrounded with a Coral reef some parts probably extending half a mile beyond high water mark: it is otherways bold The soundings westward from this island, to the edge of the Bank are regular the depth increasing from 12 to 16 fms. the first two leagues; in the remaining it deepens to 40 which is close to the edge of the Bank.
Cape Thornhill is a round hill of a regular form and has the Appearance of being insulated by a narrow channel.
West from the cape and distant two miles is Cliff Island which is Steep and Rocky and appears bold to westward, Two miles to southward there is a low island of small extent surrounded by a reef between this and Cliff island there appears to be very shallow Water.
