that has been recently explored by the Fly and the Bramble. It has the advantage of offering everywhere sufficient depth for anchoring, and there are no coral banks under water. "I do not think that when the usual precautions in this kind of navigation are adopted any accident can be met in taking the Raine Island Passages, especially if the new charts made by the Fly and the Bramble are on board (No. 1749). This passage has the inconvenience of bad anchoring ground in the space between Bird and Raine Islands; nevertheless, it is the shortest route with regard to distance." Opinions are still more divided on the question of which is the best route to take for Torres Strait from East, that is from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, or from Sydney to India. But there can be no doubt, if a rapid passage is to be made, that in the height of the S.E. monsoon (from May to September), the passage by Raine Island or by Bligh Channel, North of Darnley Island, cannot be accomplished in half the time required for the same purpose by the inner route. But yet the first routes are those generally taken by trading vessels. A steamer will have the great advantage of being able to take the inner route for Torres Strait during the westerly monsoon (November to March), a time when it is scarcely practicable for sailing vessels, and I think in all cases the best for a steamer to take is the inner route, because she can find wood all along the Australian coast. There does not seem to be any reason for the passage from Sydney to Singapore occupying more than five weeks, for certainly the S.E. Trade will be found as far as 14° or 15° S. lat., where westerly winds will then be found. The following remarks of Captain Blackwood will be useful, as presenting a general view of the navigation of Torres Strait: Torres Strait is generally more frequented by vessels passing from East to West than by those from West to East. For some years past, however, many commanders have taken this route, at the risk of delay on the passage. Thus, we may observe, the westerly monsoon, which prevails in the seas of the Indian Archipelago from November to March, inclusive, is not regular in Torres Strait. It is only found there occasionally, in intervals lasting from eight to ten days, about the changes of the moon. In some rare cases these westerly winds are tolerably strong, though they are generally variable, and only appear to be interruptions of the S.E. Trade winds. These breezes should be met with in November and in the following months as far as March, and sometimes even, but seldom, in April. For steamers, however, the wind is of little consequence, and in Torres Strait it is seldom strong enough to delay them. On the N.E. coast of Australia and in the neighbouring sea the easterly Trade wind prevails nearly all the year. From May to September it is mostly from between E.S.E. and S.S.E., both strong and regular. During the rest of the year it becomes moderate and more northerly, sometimes from E.N.E. and N.E. In January, February, and March, at the changes of the moon, the gusts from N. W. are of short duration, as before said. Sometimes there are strong breezes at this time, although generally these winds are moderate and bring fine clear weather. On the eastern coast of Australia, between Moreton Bay and Sydney, westerly winds prevail from May to September, the winter time of the southern hemisphere. The wind is often strong in this season, but as it is off the land the sea is smooth and navigation is casy. In the summer months the wind is generally from the eastward, assuming almost the character of a Trade wind. The currents of this coast are much influenced by the Trade winds. The current coming from the eastward is divided at Breaksea Spit. One part of it flows N. W. towards Torres Strait, and the other turns South along the coast until it reaches Cape Howe, where it joins the body of water coming from Bass Strait, driven there by westerly winds, and then the whole of it flows eastward towards the South coast of New Zealand. Routes from India to Torres Strait.—A ship from Madras or Calcutta intending to take Torres Strait, having crossed the gulf of Bengal, would stand along the West coast of Sumatra, and then steer for Torres Strait, passing South of the Sunda Islands. If she is from Singapore or China she will probably find Allas Strait the best route for passing South of the Sunda Islands to Torres Strait, for at two miles from the coast of Lombock there are good anchorages (that of Peejou, among others) on the western side of that strait. On leaving Allas Strait she would steer so as to pass South of Sandal-wood and Rottie Islands, keeping at a good distance from the latter in order to avoid the Sahul Bank, some parts of which are dangerous. Rottie Strait is safe, although Captain Law has mentioned a danger there that should be avoided by keeping on the North side of the strait. From the South point of Rottie she may run direct for Wallis Islands, at the West entrance of Endeavour Strait, taking care to avoid several coral banks mentioned by Captain Flinders, and since examined by Captain Blackwood. Captain Mackenzie, on the contrary, says that vessels leaving India or China for Torres Strait would do well to take the Java Sea, and make their way North of the Sunda Islands out of it, between Ombay and Pulo Cambing. During the two monsoons, he says, the water is smooth in the Java Sea and among the Moluccas, compared with that which is found South of the Sunda Islands and in the Sea of Timor, on account of the swell from S. W. always prevailing and very trying. Besides, sailing vessels by keeping in the Java Sea will have the advantage of the land breeze off the North coast of the Sunda Islands. On leaving Ombay they should steer directly for Torres Strait. Again, vessels from India should take the strait of Malacca for Singapore, and from thence the Java Sea. Crossing this sea, they should leave it by Ombay Strait, or by passing between Timor and Wetta, for the Timor Sea to Torres Strait. This is a route especially advantageous for steam-vessels. Steam Routes from Singapore to Sydney.-This opinion of Captain Mackenzie is confirmed by the following directions (from the Nautical Magazine), which complete what we have already said about the navigation of the Java Sea. To proceed from Singapore to Sydney by the Java Sea and Torres Strait either one of two routes may be adopted, known by the names of the South and North Routes. With the exception of the strait between Salayer and Celebes, in the northern route, and the passages between the islands East of Madura (Pondy, Galion, Hog, Kangelang, and Urk), in the southern route, the channels in either of them are not so narrow as to render navigation dangerous by day or night. Besides, by leaving Singapore early a vessel would reach the strait of Salayer by daylight. But the best time for leaving Singapore is at eight in the evening, and, having cleared the harbour, an E.b.N. course for Pedra Blanca should be steered. Pedra Blanca (thirty-two miles from Singapore) is an isolated rock, about twenty feet high, near the middle of the eastern entrance of Malacca Strait. The principal channel, situated North of this rock, is four miles wide in the uarrowest part. A lighthouse, named after Horsburgh, the tower of which is stone and seventy feet high, is established on Pedra Blanca. The light revolves once a minute, and is visible from the deck of a vessel distant fifteen miles. From Pedra Blanca the course is nearly S.E.b.E. for about 315 miles, to the Carimata Group; in which distance the depths vary from twenty to twenty-five fathoms, with a muddy bottom. Carimata Passage.-The Carimata Group (347 miles from Singapore) are in the entrance of the channel formed by Borneo and Billiton, and generally known as the Carimata Passage. The track most frequented in adopting this passage is that which leads South of Souroutoie, the channel between this island and Ontario Reef, being little less than twenty miles across, When Carimata Peak bears about N.N.W. a S.S.E. course (keeping the peak still N.N.W.) leads nearly in the middle of the channel, between the Mancap Rocks, which extend beyond the S.W. point of Borneo, the reefs which line the eastern side of the strait, and those which bound the western. The depth of water in this track is over eighty feet, with a muddy bottom. In clear weather the East island of the Montaran Group is visible, and as the peak of Carimata is also within view a vessel can always de termine her position. Having crossed the Carimata Passage, there are two routes for proceeding eastward, which join at Pulo Cambing, an island on the North coast of Timor. According to the season, each of these have their advantages. The Southern Route during the East Monsoon.-During the easterly monsoon (from April to September, inclusive), the southern route along the North part of the islands East of Java ought to be taken by steamers. At this time, when Bally is passed, a current will be found setting eastward at the rate of a mile to a mile and a half an hour. The Northern Route during the West Monsoon.-The northern route by Salayer Strait has the advantage of being a little shorter (about thirty miles), besides during the westerly monsoon, which lasts from October to March, squalls of wind and heavy rain are met near the islands East of Java, whilst more northerly the weather is comparatively fine. The northern route then is preferable at this period, and should be taken by a steamer whether bound East or West. Southern Route in the Java Sea.-Having cleared the Carimata Passage, if the southern route is adopted a course for Bavian Island or Lubeck should be shaped. Then, should Bavian Island be gained during the night, the ship should steer for Pondy (an island a little East of Madura), so that by daybreak she may pass between this island and that of Gilion or Galion. But if Bavian be reached before night, the best course to take is for the N.W. point of Kangelang, so as to stand on without fear during the night, and then take the passage formed by this island and that of Urk. These two passages are well known and much frequented. The passage between Pondy and Galion Islands is generally taken by vessels which enter the Java Sea by Bally Strait, in going to Singapore or China. It is also taken by Dutch vessels taking coffee to Banyn Wange before returning to Europe. (To be continued.) Nautical Notices. PARTICULARS OF LIGHTS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED. F. Fixed. Fl. Fixed and Flashing. R. Revolving. I. Intermitting. Est. Established. [The pressure on our pages from the recent Chinese and Arctic matters has compelled us to reserve much of our usual matter, to be made up hereafter.] |