Military notes on the Philippines. September 1898 online

Point Bondulan, opposite Iloilo, which is high and steep. A
bank of 14- to 2^ fathoms depth stretches out 3 cables oft' the
town of Tilat or Buena Vista ; from Point Bondulan a large
bank of 1 to 44- fathoms extends SW. for 1| miles. Point
Bondulan, in line with Iloilo Fort, clears this bank.

Point Kabalik, which is clean and bold, lies 34- miles SW.
by S. of Point Bondulan; this point should be passed close-to
in taking the channel south of Oton Bank, which is here (>
cables wide, but looking from the westward Kabalik is not
easily distinguished, being no higher than the rest of the
coast, and, in fact, is not so conspicuous as the j3oint 150 feet
high without a name, which is 1 mile SW. by S. of it, and
also clean and steep-to. From the south, or Sta. Ana, Kabalik
Point is, however, easily recognized. From this point the
coast turns south for 4J- miles to Port Sta. Ana, and is bold,
with several little islets close to it.

Port Sta. Ana is a little port, clear and deep, open to the
west, and easy to make; the entrance is ^ mile wide. Inside,
to the northward, is a point, with an islet to the westward of
it, and a rock awash at low water f of a cable to the SW. of
the islet. The plan shows a shoal of 1 fathom extending 1
cable south of the point. The anchorage is in the middle of
the port in 6|- fathoms. Water can be obtained from a rivu-
let at the bottom of the port. It is high water, full and
change, at 12 hours; springs rise 5^ feet.



216 PANAY — SOUTH COAST.

Igan Bay, immediately south of Santa Ana, is clear, with,
a depth of 11 to 13 fathoms in the middle and 2^ to 5^ fath-
oms at the edge of the bank that borders the shore.

Point Lusaran, the southwest extremity of Guimaras, is
safe and bold to the south and east of it ; to the NW. there
are several rocks, and an islet surrounded by reefs, and at 2^
miles N. 60° W. of the point there is a rocky shoal.

The southeast coast of Guimaras is foul, and skirted by
islets and rocks which form narrow channels that can only
be navigated by experienced pilots.

Guimaras Strait, between this island and Negros, is 6^
miles wide, but the passage is reduced to 1| miles by the
islets and banks at the southern entrance. Ilampulugan
Island is the most remarkable in the strait; between this
island and Guimaras there are six steej) rocks with flat sum-
mits, on some of which are trees ; to the northward of it are
two little islets connected with it on the SE. by a bank having
If fathoms water on it ; between this bank and the reef off
Pandan (on the coast of Negros) is a channel of l^ miles wide
and 4^ to 8 fathoms deep ; it is the least dangerous passage to
take, but care must be taken to avoid a bank not sounded
out, shown on the chart between Pandan and the islet of
Nadulao ; as also a bank of sand with 1^ fathoms over it, of
4 miles extent, which lies 3 miles SE. to SSE. of Ilampulugan.

The east coast of Guimaras is clear, and a depth of 6i
fathoms will be found at a distance of 1 mile from it.

Unisan Islets are a group of rocks that lie about 8 miles
SE. of Point Lusaran. They are surrounded by reefs,
and at 1 mile NW, of them is a little rocky patch; the islets
and the patch occupy an extent of 2^ miles. The soundings
in the neighborhood show 6^ to 8 fathoms to the northward,
20 fathoms at less than a mile to the eastward, and 4 to 6^
fathoms in the channel between them and the islet Guiuanon.

Iloilo. — The town of Iloilo stands on a low sandy flat on
the right bank of a river ; at the end of this flat is a spit on
which a fort is built, and close to which there is deep water.
Vessels of moderate draft (15 feet) can ascend the river a
short distance and lie alongside wharves which communicate
with the merchant houses, but large vessels must anchor out-
side near the spit. It is a town of great commercial impor-
tance, and a brisk coasting trade is carried on from it. The
better class of houses in Iloilo are built on strong wooden



PANAY — SOUTH COAST. 217

posts, 2 or 3 feet in diameter, that reach to the roof; stone
walls to the first floor, with wooden windows above, and an
iron roof. The poorer class of dwellings are flimsy erections
of nipa, built on fonr strong posts. The roads and bridges
are in a deplorable condition and almost impassable in the
rainy season.

The chief imports are Australian coal, and general mer-
chandise from Europe, but most sailing ships arrive in
ballast.

The exports are sugar, tobacco, rice, cofi^ee, hides, and hemp ;
it is also the principal place of manufacture of piiia, juse,
and sinamoya, a tissue greatly in use among the Philippines.
In 1883 93,750 tons of sugar were exported, principally to
America.

Typhoons do not occur regularly, but in most years the
tail of one passes over the place, which sufl^ers also from the
visitations of locusts.

Siq^pUes. — Provisions of all kinds can be obtained, but the
prices are higher than at Manila. In 1886 beef was 12^ cents
per pound, bread 11 cents, vegetables 11 cents, fowls $2 per
dozen. Water is scarce and is brought across from Guimaras
in tank boats; it is supplied to the shipping at the rate of $1
per ton; the Europeans depend mainly upon rain water.

There are no docks, nor means for effecting repairs ; marine
stores are not procurable.

Coal. — There are generally about 500 tons in store, chiefly
Australian ; it is kept for the supx)ly of local steamers that take
in what they require alongside the wharves. Vessels in the
roads can have it brought off in bulk in lighters or schooners
at a cost of 50 cents a ton. Coolies can be hired at 75 cents
per ton, but they will not coal vessels if they can get other
work. Notice is required the day before coaling, as men are
not kept in readiness. Price of coal in 1886 was $11 per ton.

Mails. — There is regular weekly communication with
Manila, which is 250 miles distant; the steamers generally
arrive on Monday, and leave on the same or the following
day; there are, besides, casual steamers, and other small
steamers carrying on the local trade to Antiki and Negros ;
but most of the small coasting traffic is conducted in schooners.

Tugs are generally procurable from amongst the small
steamers, and sailing vessels are generally towed out past the
Oton Bank.



218 PANAY — SOUTH COAST.

River Iloilo. — From the town to the sea the river makes
two sharp bends, and, flowing with great force to the east-
ward, forms (between two banks consisting of its own deposits)
an entrance channel, running NW. and SE., of | of a cable
width, and 1^ fathoms depth at low water. The mouth of this
channel is ordinarily marked by two stakes on the edges of the
banks ; near tJie southernmost is the house of the port pilots.
In entering, the southern shore must be kept, as it is the
deepest, and as the bank projects from the north side; within
the bar the channel widens and the depth increases to 16 and
22 feet.

Anchorage. — The best anchorage for vessels drawing under
13 feet is within the river, ofP the wooden jetty near the ware-
houses. Vessels of more than 13 feet draft must anchor out-
side; there the best anchorage is with the fort bearing SW. ^
W., and the lighthouse at the entrance NW. ^ W. The
Challenger anchored south of the spit, with the fort bearing
S. 75° W. and the right extreme of the spit N. 2° W., in 10
fathoms at a cable's length from the shore, as it is convenient
for landing and walking up to the town ; but the captain of the
ship Panay, who has been trading here for many years, reports
that in southwest winds a heavy sea sets in which prevents
landing. Abreast of the fort the eddies are strong and irreg-
ular on the flood.

The anchorage recommended is ofl^ the entrance of the river,
with the north end of the fort spit bearing nothing northward
of west. Abreast of the fort the eddies are strong and irreg-
ular'on the flood; it is necessary to moor.

Tides. — The tidal streams reach a strength of 3 knots an
hour, and they turn at high and low water by the shore. It
is high water, full and change, at 12 hours ; springs rise nearly
6 feet.

Lights.— A fixed red light is exhibited on the southern side
( )f the entrance of the river Iloilo ; it is elevated 20 feet above
the shore and 24 feet above the sea, and is visible Q-j miles,
through an arc of 240°, between the bearings of N. 7° E. and
S. 53° E. The light-house is painted gray and the lantern is
of a copper yellow.

Directions. — Approaching Iloilo from the southwest ward,
steer in with Point Bondulan bearing NE. f N., until the
remarkable clump of trees on the north side of the river Iloilo
is half its width open of the point; this clears Oton Bank;



PANAY — NORTH AND EAST COASTS. 219

and when abreast the sandy beach, which is one-third tlie
distance from Point Kabalik to Point Bondulan — keeping
the point south of Point Kabalik open — edge to the west-
ward until the fort is open of Point Bondulan, and round this
point with the soutlieast angle of the fort in line with Point
Dapdap.

NORTH AND EAST COASTS.

Point Potol is flat and sandy, with a few trees on it. To
the east of the point, at less than a mile distance, are seven
rocky islets. Small craft can pass between them and the
coast at high water.

Coast. — From Point Potol the general trend of the coast is
approximately ESE. for 73 miles to Point Bulakau, the north-
east point of the island Panay. The shore is for the most
part sandy, and the coast in its neighborhood low.

Point Sabonkogon, 3^ miles east of Point Potol, with which
it forms a small bay, is high and clear, and can be aj)proached
to within a short distance. From it to Point Ibahai, 11^ miles
S. 02° E., the shore is clear and steep.

Point Ibahai is sandy and flat. On it is the town of the
same name. NE. of the town there is good anchorage, shel-
tered from southerly winds; but, as during the southwest
monsoon the wind often veers suddenly to NW., and Pontud
Bank would then be to leeward, a large vessel could not
remain here with safety.

Point Sigat, 2^ miles E. by S. of Point Ibahai, and Agpa,
2i miles farther on, are both high and surrounded by reefs a
cable wide, with 8 fathoms at the edge. Between them is a
little bay, open to the north, and fronted by Pontud Bank.
The soundings in it range 11 fathoms, coarse sand, between
the points, to 2 fathoms, sand, near the beach at the end.

Pontud Bank, the southeast extremity of which is 1^ miles
N. by E. of Point Agpa, extends 2i miles to the NW., with
a width of 1 mile. It has three heads; the center one is the
shallowest, having ^ fathom, sand and stones, on it ; that to
the SE. has If fathoms, coral, and that to the NW. 3i fath-
oms, sand and stones. The northern part of the shoal bears
NE. 3 miles from Point Sigat, and has 8 to 23 fathoms at its
edge, and no bottom with 100 fathoms line at the distance of
2 miles. The channel between the bank and the coast is good
and deep.



220 PAXAY — NORTH AND EAST COASTS.

Akdan Point and River are Ti miles SE. of Point Agpa.
The point, wliicli is fiat, is formed by deposits from the river,
which flows out to the west of it. On the bar there is ordi-
narily 5 feet water, and with fresh northeast breezes the sea
breaks heavily on it.

Port Batan (ch. 44, p. 220), 10 miles SE. of Akdan Bar, is a
deep bay surrounded by low land cut into by several creeks.
The entrance is open to the NNE. and can easily be recog-
nized by Okbok Hill, an isolated cliff with a flat top, sit-
uated 2 miles to the east of it in low land near the beach. On
each of the points that form the entrance there is a vantay,
and both points send out banks ; the one from the east point
extends 1^ miles NNE. and has f of a fathom on it, and 2
fathoms at the end ; the one from the west point extends i mile
to the north and has 1 fathom on it. Between these two banks
is a channel 3 cables wide and 6 fathoms deep, running approx-
imately N. IT'-' E. and S. 17° W., that leads to the interior of
the port, which is completely sheltered from wind and sea.
The bar fronting the channel has ordinarily 3 fathoms on it,
but it is liable, as well as the banks from the entrance points,
to shift with the freshets. There are no other dangers than
these banks ; they are not marked by stakes, but are indicated
by the color of the water over them.

Anclwrage. — The best anchorage inside is in 5^ fathoms,
mud, before the town of Batan.

Sapian Bay is 3 miles wide, and the same in depth ; it is safe,
with 4 fathoms at the entrance, and 3 fathoms in the center of
the bay. It is sheltered from all winds but those from the
northward.

Mobai and Tuat are small rocky islets, with trees upon them.
Mobai is clean, with soundings of 3 fathoms off it ; but Tuat
has rocks on its northern and southern sides. Between these
islets and the point south of them the depth is 4i fathoms;
but the point is fringed with rocky islets and shoals of 2
fathoms.

Point Nipa (Kolasi) is high and very steep ; there are two
flat rocks f of a mile north of it ; the northern one covers only
at very high tides; between the two the depth is 3 to 4 fath-
oms, and between the south one and the point 3 fathoms;
outside the rocks there are 5^ to 7 fathoms.

Kapis Roads, open to the NW., offers an anchor c^ge in 6
fathoms, sheltered from the NE. between the bai of the river
Kapis and Point Nipa.




FORT BATAN

Spot » Lat.n'tusHcrs.-Um^.usraa.WK.



PANAY — NORTH AND EAST COASTS. 221

River Kapis, or Panay, one of the most important in the
island of Panay, is protected by a bar of sand, on which there
are 4 or 5 feet at low water and sometimes as much as 13 feet
at high water. Within the bar the depth increases to 3 fath-
oms and continues that depth for 3 miles, as far as the town
of Kapis, which carries on a brisk native trade, principally in
export of rice. Steamers from Manila call weekly.

Olutaya Island is 1 mile in length, NE. and SW., and very
narrow ; two rocks above water lie off its northeastern part,
and another off its southwestern end. The coast of the island
forms little bays, in which coasters Und anchorage in 3 to 4
fathoms. Around the island there is 7 fathoms water, but
the passage between it and the main is blocked.

Between Olutaya Island and Bulakau Point there is a great
bay, with no good anchorage in it.

Kasamayan Bank, 3 miles NW. of the town Sanayon, on
the southeastern shore of the bay, is f of a mile long, west
and east, and ^ mile wide ; it consists of sand and rock. The
middle part uncovers at very low tides; the remainder has
less than 6 feet water over it. From the center Sharp Peak
bears S. i W. and Olutaya Island WNW.

Bulakau Point, the northeastern extremity of Panay Island,
is a spur from the mountains Sibala and Sharp Peak ; the point
is low and terminates in a sand spit, with rocks at the end,
which extends out rather less than i of a mile, and uncovers
at low water.

Tidal streams. — In the sea north of Panay, sometimes
called the Sea of Kapis, the flood stream enters from the
westward by the passage between Panay, Karabao, and
Tablas, and also by the passage between Tablas Romblon
and Sibuyan.

This last stream passes along the southwest coast of Sibuyan
and between Kauit Point and Cresta de Gallo with great force,
but on the east coast of Sibuyan it meets the flood stream from
the eastward by the Strait of San Bernardino and loses all
its force.

The ebb stream moves in the reverse direction and by the
same passages, and is not felt on the southwest coast of
Sibuyan.

The strength of the stream at full and change of moon is
3^ miles an hour between Panay and Tablas, and 'I miles an
hour between Tablas and Sibuyan.



PANAY — NORTH AND EAST COASTS. 221

River Kapis, or Panay, one of the most important in the
island of Panay, is protected by a bar of sand, on whicli there
are 4 or 5 feet at low water and sometimes as much as i:} feet
at high water. Within the bar tlie depth increases to 3 fath-
oms and continues that depth for 3 miles, as far as the town
of Kapis, which carries on a brisk native trade, principally in
export of rice. Steamers from Manila call weekly.

Olutaya Island is 1 mile in length, NE. and SW., and very
narrow ; two rocks above water lie off its northeastern part,
and another off its southwestern end. The coast of the island
forms little bays, in which coasters find anchorage in 3 to 4
fathoms. Around the island there is 7 fathoms water, but
the passage between it and the main is blocked.

Between Olutaya Island and Bulakau Point there is a great
bay, with no good anchorage in it.

Kasamayan Bank, 3 miles NW. of the town Sanayon, on
the southeastern shore of the bay, is f of a mile long, west
and east, and ^ mile wide ; it consists of sand and rock. The
middle part uncovers at very low tides; the remainder has
less than 6 feet waiter over it. From the center Sharp Peak
bears S. i W. and Olutaya Island WNW.

Bulakau Point, the northeastern extremity of Panay Island,
is a spur from the mountains Sibala and Sharj^ Peak ; the point
is low and terminates in a sand spit, with rocks at the end,
which extends out rather less than ^ of a mile, and uncovers
at low water.

Tidal streams. — In the sea north of Panay, sometimes
called the Sea of Kapis, the flood stream enters from the
westward by the passage between Panay, Karabao, and
Tablas, and also by the passage between Tablas Romblon
and Sibuyan.

This last stream passes along the southwest coast of Sibuyan
and between Kauit Point and Cresta de Gallo with great force,
but on the east coast of Sibuyan it meets the flood stream from
the eastward by the Strait of San Bernardino and loses all
its force.

The ebb stream moves in the reverse direction and by the
same passages, and is not felt on the southwest coast of
Sibuyan.

The strength of the stream at full and change of moon is
3^ miles an hour between Panay and Tablas, and 2 miles an
hour between Tablas and Sibuyan.



222 l^\NAV — NORTH AND EAST COASTS.

JiNTOToLO Channel is ilie name given to the passage
between tlu' sontliwest point of Masbate and the northeast
l>oint of Panay. Jintotolo Island, already described, and the
Zapatos, three islets on a bank lying 6 miles SW. of Jintotolo
Island, divide the channel into three passages; that between
Jintotolo Island and the Zapatos is generally used.

Zapato Mayor is 260 feet high, wooded, and cultivated ; a
shoal extends 1 mile to the westward from the island, and has
3i fathoms water over it, and 5^ to 7 fathoms at its edge.

Zapato Menor is 270 feet high, bare, and clean on all sides
except the western, from which there projects a narrow ledge.

The little islet Chinela, between the two Zapatos, is sur-
rounded by a reef 3 to 4 cables wide. The depth of water on
the bank and between the islets is 5^ to 8 fathoms.

Elcano Shoal. — In August, 1865, the Spanish gun vessel
Elcano struck soundings on a bank of sand and rock, 13 to 5^
fathoms. From the position in 5^ fathoms Zapato Mayor bore
S. 33° E., Pulanduta Point N. 85° E., and Kamasusu Island
N. 43° E. ; the extent of the bank was estimated at 3 miles
WNW. and ESE.

This bank is not shown on the Spanish chart corrected to
1873, but its position is close to the eastward of a sounding of

10 fathoms, obtained by H. M. S. Nassau in 1871. It lies
close to one of the most frequented routes of the archipelago,
but as yet no other notice of any danger has been reported.

Cucaracha Shoal, 6 miles N. 30° E. of Bulakau Point, and

11 miles S. 79° E. of Zapato Mayor, is a small cir^cular bank,
1^ miles in diameter, covered by 2i fathoms, with one rock
iiearly awash on its northern part. Off the northern edge of
the shoal the depth is 4 fathoms, and off the southern edge 6
fathoms.

Islands off the East Coast of Panay. — Manigonigo, 1|
miles N. 10° E. of Point Bulakau, is a conical islet, small and
sandy, 90 feet high, surrounded by rocks to the distance of 1
cable on all sides but the south, where they extend to 2 cables.
The channel between the islet and the point has a depth of
2f to 4 fathoms, and is only fit for small craft; the greater
depth is near the islet.

Danger. — A dangerous rock covered by If fathoms water,
with 2^ fathoms beside it, lies 1 mile S. 26° W. of Manigonigo,
and less than 1\ miles from the coast.

Currents. — The tidal streams are strong here; the flood tide
sets to the east, and the ebb to the west.



PANAY — NORTH AND EAST COASTS. 223

Lulughan, or Nabunat, 3^ miles W. by S. of Point Bulakau,
is 1 mile in extent and 100 feet high ; it is surrounded l)y rocks
which extend 4 cables from it to the SW. A patch of 2
fathoms lies 1^ miles SW. of the isle.

Tulunanaun, If miles SW. of Lulugban, has a hill 200 feet
high; on its northern part it is 1^ miles long, NE. and SW.,
and is surrounded by rocks to the distance of 2 cables, with
soundings of 2^ to 4 fathoms at the edge ; on its northwest
coast are three steep rocks. The channel which separates it
from Lulugban has 2^ to 4 fathoms water. At 1 mile SE. of
Tulunanaun is a patch of 34- fathoms, surrounded by G4- to 74
fathoms.

Balbagan is about a mile long, north and south, narrow, and
about 100 feet high, with a little sand hill on its southeast
extremity. It is surrounded by rocks and by a shoal which
extends from it 8 cables to the north, a mile to the NE., and
2 miles to the south, where on the end of the shoal there is 3^
fathoms water and 5^ off it. The west coast of the isle is clear
at 2 cables from it. At 1^ miles S. 75° E. of Balbagan, be-
tween it and South Gig ante, are rocks awash at low water, and
at the northern entrance of the channel, between it and North
Gigante, a patch of 5| fathoms.

The channel between Balbagan and Tulunanaun, with the
exception of the rock above-mentioned, S. 45° E. of Balbagan,
is clear, with 7 to 16 fathoms depth, but midway between
Balbagan and Lulugban is a patch of 2f fathoms, and the
soundings on the western side of this channel are irregular
from 3i to 6 fathoms. Vessels of large draft will do well to
take the passage north of the Gigantes, rather than that be-
tween Balbagan and Tulunanaun islets.

Gigantes Islands, or Sibuluak, are a group of two islands
of moderate height, together with several islets, and sharp,
detached rocks. The group is clear on its northern side, and
the shoals on the other sides do not project more than f of a
mile.

North Gigante, or Sibuluak Babai, is 2 miles long, north
and south, and 1 mile wide, with a wooded hill on either ex-
tremity ; it is surrounded by a shoal which extends to i mile
to the east and west of it. At 7 cables to the east of the
northeast extremity lies the islet Uaidajan, clear and steep,
with 51- to 9 fathoms between it and North Gigante. On the
southeast edge of the bank there are three detached rocks,
with no channel between them and the island.



224 PANAY — NORTH AND EAST COASTS.

South Gigante, or Sibuliiak Lalaki, ^ mile south of tlie
northern island, is of irregular form, about 2 miles long from
east to west, and | mile wide on the western side, which is
the highest. On its northern side is a reef which dries, and
forms, with the reef of the northern island, a channel with 1^
fathoms at the eastern end and fathoms at the western ; the
other sides are clear. At 8 cables SE. of South Gigantes are
three small islands ; the southernmost, named Antonia, is clear
on the outside. Between these islets and South Gigantes there
is a channel of 6 to 8 fathoms depth.

Anchorage. — In the northeast monsoon vessels of all sizes
can anchor off the southwest coast of South Gigante in 7
fathoms, mud and sand. In the southwest monsoon very small
vessels can anchor in the channel between the islands.

Bank. — About 5 miles N. 61° E. of the northeast point of
North Gigante, is the shallowest part (3:^ fathoms) of a bank,
which extends approximately 9 miles ESE. and WNW., with
a mean width of 3^ miles. The depth on it is irregular, from
3i to 9 fathoms. The bank is included between the bearings
NE. by N. and E. i N., from the northeast point of North
Gigante. The channel between the shallow part of the bank
and North Gigante, is the most open and direct for going
through Jintotolo Channel.

Isolated shoals. — Within a radius of 12 miles from NW. by
W, to SE. by E. of North Gigante, there are a certain number
of isolated patches covered by 4 to 7 fathoms water. The
northernmost of these, of 4 fathoms, has not been examined;
and the position of another, of 6 fathoms, near the edge of the
last described bank, is doubtful.

Coast. — From Point Bulakau the coast trends SSE. for 2-j