Military notes on the Philippines. September 1898 online

extremity of Mindanao, the coast is generally clean and steep-
to, with good depths off it, and includes several little bays ; it,
however, has not been surveyed, and should therefore be ap-
proached with caution.

Linao Bay is 14- miles wide, and sheltered from all winds
but those from the southwest. Its shores are bordered by a
narrow, steep reef.

Huidobro Shoal, called Linao Shoal by the Moros, is placed
on the chart 3 miles WS W. of Point Linao ; it is said to be
covered by h\ fathoms of water.

Port Lebak, between points Lebak and Nara, offers good
shelter in all weathers, but a sea sets in with westerly winds.
The shores are covered by mangroves and bordered by a reef
which extends to about 1 cable from them. The best anchor-
age is in 11 to 13 fathoms to the eastward of the islet and
reef Tubotubo, in the southern part of the bay. Water can be
obtained in the river Lebak, east of the anchorage, and also
from the other rivers in the port. The natives are said to be
in the habit of using poisoned arrows on the smallest pretext ;
it is therefore well to be careful, and not to trust them too far.

Basiauang Bay affords two anchorages ; that to the north-
ward of the bay and east of Point Basiauang, afford - good
shelter in all weathers, but it is necessary to secure to the
shore, as there is not sufficient room for a vessel to swing.
The southern anchorage is at the mouth of a small ore 3k on
the northern side of a remarkable hill, connected witn the
mainland only by a low mangrove-covered neck. The anchor-
age can be dropped in 10 to 13 fathoms, and the stern secured
to the reef. The reef at the point, and the neighboring island
of Donauang break the sea, and these anchorages of Basiau-
ang, after Port Lebak, are the best shelters which this coast
offers in all weather.

The island Donauang has a reef which reaches 2 cables out
to the NNW. The passage between Donauang and the coast



MINDANAO — SOUTH COAST. 167

is safe ; a vessel sliould keep nearer to the island reef than
that off the coasi , which is more extensive.

Douauang- Shoals are two shoals situated resijectively 3
miles N. 9° W. and 2 miles N. 3° W. of the north of the island ;
they pre each about ^ mile across and covered by 3| least
water.

Tuna Bay is semicircular, steep-sided, and bordered by a
reef like all the bays of this coast. There is anchorage in
15 fathoms in the northwest part, before coming to a point
covered by mangroves from which a reef projects; a small
anchor should be laid out on the reef, as is well to be done in
all these bays with steep sides.

Danger. — A reef which uncovers in places and is covered
by 5 fathoms in other places, lies 2 miles off the coast and
5 miles SE. of Point Malatuna. Vessels should not approach
this part of the coast within G miles.

Coast. — Point Pola, 18 miles SE. of Point Malatuna, is low,
with a sand beach and small reef. At 5 miles to the east of
Point Polo lie the village and river of Kraan (Kanaren), near
which layers of coal have been found. As far as Sarangani
Bay the coast is generally low, and offers no good shelter.

Point Bukud, formed by the hill of the same name, lies 16
miles SE. of Point Pola, and terminates in an islet united to
it by a narrow reef. The hill may be easily recognized, being
isolated in low land ; seen from the west it suggests the form
of a table.

Point Bui, 20 miles ESE. of Point Bukud, is surrounded by
a reef which is said to extend 1 mile out.

A reef, 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, covered by 5 fathoms
water, lies off the coast east of Point Bui, and 2,^ miles SW.
by W. i W. of Point Bulaluan, the western point of Sarangani
Bay.

Sarangani Bay has a width of 7 miles at its entrance
between points Bulaluan and Sumban ; its sides are very steep
and its depth considerable; anchorage may be found in the
bights of its coast line, but close to the shore, and with a haw-
ser out to the shore to prevent the anchor slipping into deep
water. A coral reef extending 1 mile out surrounds Point
Bulaluan, and borders the western and northern shores of
the bay. The west coast is and; the plains to the northwest
and north are covered with cogon and abound in deer.



168 MINDANAO — SOUTH COAST.

The volcano Matutung, wliicli lies 19 miles N. by E. of the
town of Mint, in the northwest angle of the bay, is very high
and can be seen from a great distance.

Mint Anchorage is in the angle of the bay north of the town,
in 15 fatlioms. Good water can be obtained from the river.
Communication between Mint and Lake Buluan, across the
mountains, occupies two or three days.

Glan Masila, or Kanalasan Anchorage, though steep, is the
best anchorage in Sarangani Bay during the southwest mon-
soon; it is in Kanalasan Cove, east of Sumban Point, before
the village of Glan. Anchorage may be had in 11 to 13 fath-
oms, with a hawser to the shore, but it is advisable not to
anchor before the mouth of the river Glan Masila, which
flows into the northern part of the cove, on account of the
freshets. The town of Glan Masila (Great Glan) stands on
the bank of the river, 2 miles from the mouth.

Light. — A fixed white light is exhibited on the mole on the
south side of the entrance of the river ; it is elevated 33 feet
above the sea, and should be seen in clear weather at a dis-
tance of 6 miles.

Point Sumban is high and steep, with but little vegetation
on it ; it is surrounded by a reef extending 2^ cables to the
west and north.

The Southern Peninsula of Mindanao is high, and pre-
sents several remarkable peaks on it; the southern hill, 1,670
feet high, and in reality round, looks somewhat like a pyra-
mid when seen on an ESE. or WNW, bearing. Seven miles
to the NNE. of this round-topped hill is a saddle peak 3,600
feet above the level of the sea, and 8 miles NE. of this saddle
mountain there is a high range, the highest peak of which —
•4,530 feet — has a conical top when viewed from the southward.

The west coast from Point Sumban to Point Tinaka is gen-
erally clean except near Bluff Point, or Talayan Point, where
the reef extends nearly a mile out. Point Tukapanga is rocky,
high, and steep; a reef follows the coast to the SE. from it to
Batulaki.

Point Tinaka, or Caj^e Sarangani, is a hill united to the
coast by low land ; it presents a bluff point to the south, with
a little sand beach, and may be passed at i cable's distance ;
to the eastward of the point there is a large shoal of sand and
rock, covered by 5^ fathoms.



MINDANAO — EAST COAST. 169

Anchorage. — On the ^vestern side of Tiiiakn Point there is
a little bay, Batulaki, open to the SW. and fringed by shoals,
which reduce the available space to a width of G cables, with
a depth of 9 fathoms, lessening gradually to 2^, over a clean,
sandy bottom. Safe anchorage may be found in this bay,
sheltered from the northeast monsoon. The roadstead of
Balangunan and Malavinan, to the eastward of Tinaka Point,
are exposed to the sea and afford very indifferent anchorage.

The coast. — Gual Point is low and sloping, with a little reef
off it. Points Kamalian and Silakai are foul. Butulan offers
temporary anchorage out of the swell of the sea, but exposed
to the sea that sets in from cross tides. The depth is great,
with 14 fathoms almost touching the shore, and 10 fathoms
before the mouth of the river. The coast continues clean and
sloping, and almost straight to Point Banos, which is about
72 feet high and peaked. From here it runs N. by E., with
a series of high points, to Point Kalian, which is broad and
rather remarkable. There is good anchorage off Kalian.

Tides. — It is high water, full and change, at Sarangani
Point at 7 hours. Springs rise 6 feet. The flood stream sets
to the west between Tinaka Point and Sarangani Islands, and
the ebb to the east. On the coast to the northward and east-
ward it is said that the flood stream sets to the -north, and the
ebb to the south, the latter being less violent than the flood ;
also that to the northward of Point Kalian the tide streams
are weaker. Strong tide races and violent eddies are preva-
lent, especially off Banos Point.

Sarangani Islands consist of two islands and a sand cay,
situated 7 miles from the south point of Mindanao. The two
islands are separated by a deep channel If miles wide, reduced
by a reef on the east side of Balut Island to a navigable pas-
sage 8 cables wide. In this channel the tide streams are very
strong, the flood stream setting to the nortlr and the ebb to
the south. A shoal covered by 7 fathoms lies nearly in mid-
channel, f of a mile from the coast of Sarangani.

EAST COAST.

The east coast of Mindanao runs nearly north and south
for a length of 195 miles from Kauit Point to Cape San
Augustin, and forms several bays open to the NE. A great
chain of mountains runs parallel to the coast and near to it.
The coast is imperfectly known, and too great reliance must
not be placed on the charts.



170 MINDANAO — EAST COAST.

KcUiit Point is a spur of the eastern cordillera of Mindanao;
when seen from the northward it appears bluff, l)ut viewed
from the southeastward it makes like two islands. It is clean
and steep to the northward and westward, but a reef projects
from it to the eastward for 1^ miles, and borders the coast to
the southward for a distance of 10 miles.

Tanda Point, shown on the chart as lying 14 miles S. i W.
from Kauit Point, is bordered by a reef to a distance of 2
cables. Two islets lie close to the northward of the point.
Makangani Island, 4 miles NW. by N. of Tanda Point, is
clean; two rocky islets lie off its northern end.

Arangasa Island. — From Tanda Island the coast trends
SE. by S. for 19 miles, as far as Umanum Point. North of
this point is the Island Arangasa, separated from the main
coast by a narrow channel closed by reefs, which extend 3
miles out, E. and SE. of the island.

Liangan Bay, betweeen points Umanum and Bankulin, is
foul, especially along the northern shore, from which a reef
runs 2 miles out, inclosing the islet Ayninam. Liangan town
is at the bottom of the bay ; the chart shows a shoal in the fair-
way leading to the town, but gives no soundings whatever.

Mr. Looney, Lloyd's agent at Iloilo in 1878, says of Liangan
Bay : "The best anchorage is off the convent in 15 fathoms of
water. A heavy anchorage should be used, as the land winds
are strong. The river marked on the chart as flowing at the
head of Liangan Bay is only a shallow creek. The coast here
is rocky, and landing after dark is difficult. Supplies of fresh
water, buffaloes, and rice can be had, but no vegetables."

The coast, which trends south for 15 miles from Bankulin
Point to Bislig Bay, is very foul and bordered by dangerous
sand banks Avhich uncover at low water. The town of Kina-
tuan is situated on the right bank of a river- about 12 miles
south of Bankulin Point, fronted by Tigdos Islet, which is
surrounded by a reef. SupjDlies of buffaloes and rice can be
obtained at Kinatuan, but very little fresh water.

Bislig Bay and Town. — Masahuron Island, in the mid-
dle of the entrance to the bay, is surrounded by shoals which
extend i mile east and west of the island. In the passage
south of the islet there are two rocky shoals very steep-to,
having depths of 47 and 65 fathoms very near them. The
southern shore of Bislig Bay is clean; the northern shore, on
the contrary, is foul, and should not be approached within G
cables' length.



MINDANAO — EAST COAST. 171

Bislig town, a military residence, is at the bottom of tlie
bay on the right bank of the river ; the bar at the mouth of
the river has 2 feet of water over it at low water, and 8
feet at high water.

The anchorage is before the town in 3^ fathoms, bottom
sand and mud, and is completely sheltered from all winds.
Fresh water, buffaloes, and rice can be obtained at Bislig,
but no vegetables.

Caution. — If without a pilot in approaching the coast of
Bislig Bay, do not come into less than 6 fathoms, as the water
shoals rapidly. The channel for boats and lanclias is gener-
ally marked by bushes or stakes.

The coast. — A reef extends 3 miles out to the east and 6
miles out to the SE. from Sanko Point, the southern point of
Bislig Bay. The coast, from this point for 6 miles to the
southward, as far as Tambog Point, is bordered by reefs.
South of Tambog Point, between that point and Katarman
Point, there is a great reef which forms with the main coast
a small but safe port ; the narrow channel leading to it should
not be taken without a pilot.

South of Katarman Point there is a great bank which
dries ; at the edge of this bank is a depth of 3f fathoms, and
to the south of it there are two islets surrounded by rocks.
A shoal of sand projects ^ mile NW. of Point Tonkil. From
the Katel River, south of Tonkil Point, the coast trends south
for 13 miles, as far as Kinablagan Point, and is clean.

Kinablagan Point is high and wooded ; when seen at a dis-
tance it appears like an island. The river and town of the
same name lie on the south side of the point. There is
anchorage off Kinablagan near the shore in 8 fathoms, but it
scarcely merits the name of anchorage, as it is quite open and
exposed. The river can be entered by boats only.

Baganga Bay, between points Lambajon and Daguet, offers
good anchorage during the southwest monsoon in 5 fathoms,
a reef which i^rojects from Daguet Point giving shelter from
the east and southeast ; but during the northeast monsoon the
anchorage is quite untenable on account of the heavy sea
which sets in. Daguet Point is detached from the coast, and
consists of white sand covered by low wood. A shoal of 4i
f athoms water lies off it.

From Daguet Point the coast trends south for 15 miles as
far as Karaga Bay, and presents low points and some small



172 MINDANAO — EAST COAST.

rivers. A few villages of slight importance staiicl on the
shore.

Karaga Bay, between j)oints Sankol and Pusan, is semi-
circular in form, open to the eastward, and penetrates about
2 miles inland. The village of Sankol stands on the shore
near the point, and near a cocoanut plantation. There is
anchorage in 4^ fathoms WNW. of Point Pusan, off some
rocks at the commencement of a beach, but it is exj^osed to
the swell ; there is also anchorage off Tubu on the south side,
sheltered from the southerly winds ; it is the only place on
the south coast where there is a sand beach. Sankol Point is
low; a rocky shoal coA^ered by 1-J- fathoms water 2:)rojects a
mile out from it.

Pusan Point is low, and formed of cavernous rocks ; it is
clean, and may be rounded at a cable's distance. The current
begins to be strongly felt off this point, and at spring tides
violent eddies are j)roduced, raising a high sea.

Bunga Point, 9 miles south of Pusan Point, is the first
point which is not mountainous met on coming northward
from Cape San Augustin. There is a bay south of the point,
on the shore of which stands the village of Manai, with a
little fort surrounded by cogonals of a red color.

Buan Point, 6 miles south of Bunga Point, is sandy, with
a narrow reef off it, and may be recognized by a cogonal on
it. A little river, which can be entered by boats only, passes
through the cogonal. Fresh water can be obtained from it.

Maglubun Point, 4 miles S. by W. of the last point, is clean
and projecting and easy to recognize. Several villages stand
on this part of the coast, which is clean and wooded, but
beaten by the sea. The village and fort of Mamponon are
near a small river, but there is too much sea on the coast
for anchorage.

Mayo Bay, between Tugubun Point, 8 miles south of Mag-
lubun, and Lamigan, is a large bay, over 5 miles wide at the
entrance between these two points, and penetrating 7 miles to
the westward; it is but little known. Tugubun Point is
hilly and wooded; a shoal of sand rock projects 1 cable from
it. Yukatan Anchorage is on the north shore, 2 miles west
of Tugubun Point. Points Flaca and Gorda, west again of
Yukatan, are formed by hills which terminate in low points;
a reef extends 2 miles out from Gorda Point.




t#



:MINDAXA() — EAST COAST. 173

PUJADA Bay (ell. -^r., p. ITo), separated from Mayo Bay by
tlie long peniusula of Guauguan, wliicli terminates in Lami-
gan Point, would be the best in Mindanao were it not for the
A'ery great depth of water in it. It penetrates some 10 miles
from the entrance, and has an extreme width of o or 6 miles
about the middle of it. Pujada Island, 200 feet high, divides
tlie entrance into two channels ; of these, the southern, although
the narrowest, is the safest on account of the reefs on both
sides of the northern channel; the reef of Pujada Island ex-
tends 2 miles eastward, and ends in a flat-topped islet or rock;
the sea breaks on this reef even at high water.

Lamigan Point, the northern point of the bay, is said to be
clean to seaward, but fringed on the side of the bay by a wide
reef as far as Batiano Point, and should not be approached
within i mile. Velasco Shoal, awash at low water, is reported
to lie SE. by E. of Piedra, with a depth of 18 fathoms between
it and the point; neither Velasco Shoal nor points Batiano
and Piedra are given on the chart. The shore continues foul
as far as the town of Mati ; a small creek, 3 miles ESE. of
Mati, leads to an isthmus 40 yards wide, separating the bays
of Pujada and Mayo. The natives haul their canoes across
this neck of land and launch them in Mayo Bay.

Mati is a small town, standing in a wide prairie land, sur-
rounded by picturesque scenery ; the shore near it is steep-to,
and there is a depth of 11 to 13 fathoms close in. Good water
is obtainable, but provisions are scarce. The coast at the
head of Pujada Bay makes several indentations, the principal
of which is called Balete Port. Kamainsi Point, in this
locality, is foul.

Makambol Point, on the south side of Pujada Bay, ends in
a reef, to the westward of which there is anchorage in 8
fathoms near the shore. A shoal of 2| fathoms water lies oft'
the point. There are plantations of cocoanut and plantains
on this part of the coast. Off Magun (not marked on the
chart), east of Makambol, there is indifferent anchorage
exposed to the sea.

Tumadgo Point, the southern point of Pujada Bay, and also
Alo Point, a little to the southward, are peaked and clean.

Tides. — In Pujada Bay it is high water, full and change,
at 7h. Springs rise feet.

Steamers from Zamboanga and Palak trade to Mati. The
shores of the bay abound in good timber, such as Alintalo,



idon-PutJished althe-/



MINDANAO — EAST COAST. 173

PujADA Bay (cli. 2(j, p. 173), separated from Mayo Bay Ly
tlie long peninsula of Guanguan, wliicli terminates in Lami-
gan Point, would be the best in Mindanao were it not for the
very great depth of water in it. It penetrates some 10 miles
from the entrance, and has an extreme width of 5 or (J miles
about the middle of it. Pujada Island, 200 feet high, divides
the entrance into two channels ; of these, the southern, although
the narrowest, is the safest on account of the reefs on both
sides of the northern channel; the reef of Pujada Island ex-
tends 2 miles eastward, and ends in a flat-topped islet or rock;
the sea breaks on this reef even at high water.

Lamigan Point, the northern point of the bay, is said to be
clean to seaward, but fringed on the side of the bay by a wide
reef as far as Batiano Point, and should not be approached
within -J- mile. Velasco Shoal, awash at low water, is rex)orted
to lie SE. by E. of Piedra, with a depth of 18 fathoms between
it and the point ; neither Velasco Shoal nor points Batiano
and Piedra are given on the chart. The shore continues foul
as far as the town of Mati ; a small creek, 3 miles ESE. of
Mati, leads to an isthmus 40 yards wide, separating the bays
of Pujada and Mayo. The natives haul their canoes across
this neck of land and launch them in Mayo Bay.

Mati is a small town, standing in a wide prairie land, sur-
rounded by picturesque scenery ; the shore near it is steep-to,
and there is a depth of 11 to 13 fathoms close in. Good water
is obtainable, but provisions are scarce. The coast at the
head of Pujada Bay makes several indentations, the principal
of which is called Balete Port. Kamainsi Point, in this
locality, is foul.

Makambol Point, on the south side of Pujada Bay, ends in
a reef, to the westward of which there is anchorage in 8
fathoms near the shore. A shoal of 2f fathoms water lies ofl:
the j)oint. There are plantations of cocoanut and plantains
on this part of the coast. Off Magun (not marked on the
chart), east of Makambol, there is indifferent anchorage
exposed to the sea.

Tumadgo Point, the southern point of Pujada Bay, and also
Alo Point, a little to the southward, are peaked and clean.

Tides. — In Pujada Bay it is high water, full and change,
at 7h. Springs rise 6 feet.

Steamers from Zamboanga and Palak trade to Mati. The
shores of the bay abound in good timber, such as Alintato,



174 BASIL AN DISTRICT.

an ebony; Molavi, a teak; Caniunu, Counarus santaloides,
useful as a cabinetmaker's wood ; and cedar. Cacao, coffee,
and tapioca are cultivated ; mastic of good quality, wax, and
honey are plentiful; deer and mountain hogs abound.

Coast. — Luban Point, off which there is a small round islet,
is clean and bold ; in a small bay to the northward of the point
vessels can find shelter in 5i fathoms during the southwest
monsoon, while waiting for favorable weather to round Cape
San Augustin. The coast between Point Luban and Pujada
Bay is clean, and presents several scarped points with patches
of red cogonal on them. The coast between Point Luban and
Cape San Augustin is high and clean, with little points of
sand and rock.

Currents on the east coast of Mindanao. — A constant current
to the south has been observed on this coast, especially at a
distance beyond 4 miles from the shore ; within this distance
the tides preserve their influence in some places, but near the
projecting points the current remains constant. To the north-
ward of Mayo Bay (ch. 26, p. 173) this current shows itself in
strong races, which increase on approaching Pusan Point,
where they attain their greatest force. They are very vio-
lent off Daguet Point, and also off points Lambajon and
Kinablagan. In order to lessen the effect of the current, a
vessel should keep at a good distance from shore. Near the
coast the sea is always very rough and choppy, and vessels
suffer a good deal from it.

DISTRICT OF BASILAN.

It is situated on an island to the south of Mindanao and
opposite the District of Zamboanga, and is 21 miles long by
14 wide. The island is crossed in all directions by a mountain
chain covered with luxuriant vegetation and abounding in
streams of potable water. Three of its mountains have an
altitude of from 3,300 to 3,000 yards. The products are rice
and sugar cane. Starting from Mindanao it is connected with
Borneo by a long chain of islets extending in a southwesterly
direction. The population is 1'2,000.

The capital is Isabela de Basilan, with a population of
1,300. It is situated about GOO miles from Manila, and is de-
fended by a fort.



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COTTABATO, DAPITAN, DAVAO. 175

DISTRICT OF COTTABATO.

It is bounded on the north by the districts of Misamis and
Surigao, on the east by Davao, and on the south and south-
west by the Celebes Sea and the Bay of Illana. It is a mili-
tary establishment.

The capital is Cottabato, with a poi)ulation of 3,000. It is
situated 138 miles from Manila.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

PoUok (ch. -2?, p. 1T5). — Population, 2'.)o; situated 10 miles
from Cottabato.

Tamontaco. — Population, 1,900; situated 3 miles from
Cottabato.

DISTRICT OF DAPITAX.

Situated in the northern part of the island of Mindanao, it
is bounded on the north by the Visayas Sea, on the east by
Misamis, on the south by Zamboanga, and on the west by the
Yisayas Sea. The area is 4 square miles and the population
12,615.

The capital is Dapitan, with a population of 3,955. It is
situated 190 miles from Zamboanga.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

Dipolo. — Population, 4,G11 ; situated miles from Dapitan.
Hay a.— Population, 1,099.

Lubungan. — Population, 5,157; situated 'iO miles from
Dapitan.

DISTRICT OF DAVAO.

It is bounded on the north by the District of Surigao, on
the west by that of Cottabato, and on the south and east by
the Pacific. The country is very mountainous and covered
with forests ; all vegetables grown in the rest of the archipel-