Tabanon and Bolanon Rivers, about 2 miles southwest of Sagay Point, are of little commercial importance, although considerable quantities of firewood are cut along their banks. A fairly good channel for small craft at high water leads across the bar at their common mouth.

Suyac Island is a small low island lying 3 miles west-northwestward of Sagay Point and 1 mile from shore. It is surrounded by a reef, bare at low water. Between it and the land there is a narrow channel with a depth of 12 fathoms (2.7 m.).

Sagay is on the coast 5 miles westward of Sagay Point. It has several stores and a fairly good market.

Carbin, Panal, and Maca are three large dangerous reefs northward of Suyac Island. They are all extensive areas of sand and coral and have shifting sand cays on them; these reefs are usually plainly visible. Steamers passing northward of Negros generally pass between Maca and Panal Reefs. This channel is over 2 miles wide and has a depth of 12 fathoms (21.9 m.) in the middle. Northward of Maca Reef are numerous reefs and shoal patches, as shown on the chart.

Himugaan River (chart 4466), the largest river in northern Negros, empties on the eastern side of Himugaan Point, about 2 miles westward of the town of Sagay. At its mouth are numerous sand banks, bare at low water, and a tortuous channel with 1/4 to 1/2 fathom (0.5 to 0.9 m.) on the bar at low tide, during the southwest monsoon in 1907, when the survey was made. This bar is liable to change and is entirely unprotected during the northeast monsoon. The best water across the bar is generally marked by private beacons and buoys, that are liable to be shifted. A private fixed red light marks the vicinity at night. The bar is passable by small vessels of 8 or 9 feet (2.4 or 2.7 m.) draft at high water and the river navigable for a distance of 7 miles to several lumber mills. In the fine-weather season vessels lie outside the bar and load from lighters. Fresh water can be obtained a short distance below the lumber company's wharf.

At Pandanan Point, about 12 miles westward of Himugaan Point and for a short distance either side of the village of Tiglauigan, about 1 mile westward of the point, is a rocky bluff 30 feet (9.1 m.) high, behind which the country is higher and grassy in places.

The town of Cadiz lies on the coast 42 miles westward of Himugaan Point at the mouth of the river of the same name. It is nearly obscured by a fringe of coconut palms. The bar of the Cadiz River is nearly bare at low water, but at high tide small craft cross it and lie aground at the end of a small, wooden wharf in the middle of the town. A private light is maintained at the mouth of the Hitalon River.

The village of Sicaba lies on the north side and close to the mouth of the Sicaba River, which empties on the south side of Sicaba Point, about 5 miles northwestward of Cadiz. The Sicaba River, while fairly wide and deep inside the mouth, is of little commercial value, due to the bar and shoals at the entrance, except for small craft, which can enter at high water. There is a bar in the middle of the river abreast the town, and the bottom of the river on the north

side is rocky. Considerable lumber, sugar, and firewood are shipped from here.

Talaban Grande River, 2 miles eastward of Sicaba, is similar to the Sicaba River as regards the bar at its mouth and class of traffic. Talaban Chico River, 4 miles eastward of Sicaba, is of no value, being only a passage through a mangrove swamp.

Carmen Shoals are a number of small shoals covered by depths of from 1 to 234 fathoms (1.8 to 5 m.). There are large bowlders on all of these shoals. A flashing white gas buoy marks the center of Carmen Shoals. Vessels should give the buoy a berth of at least 3/4 mile.

Daga Reef is a small coral reef which bares at low water, lying 214 miles northward of the western entrance point to the Cadiz River. Sacramento Rock is a small shoal covered with bowlders with a least depth of 11⁄2 fathom (0.9 m.). 44 miles northwestward of Carmen Shoal.

Sicaba Reefs are two large coral reefs baring at low water, lying over 2 miles northeastward of the mouth of the Sicaba River. The water between these reefs and Sicaba Point is shoal. About 5% mile northeastward of the northeastern extremity of Sicaba Reefs there is a small detached 1/4-fathom (0.4 m.) patch.

Ilacaon Point, the northern extremity of Negros, is low, rounded, and sandy. Shoal water extends about 134 miles northward from the point. The village of Cadiz Viejo lies in a grove of coconut trees on the eastern side of the point.

Ilacaon Island, 214 miles northward of Ilacaon Point, is a small, low island 6 feet (1.8 m.) high. It has some coconut trees, bushes, and grass on it and is inhabited by a few fishermen. It is surrounded by an extensive reef, baring at low water, which extends 11⁄2 miles east-northeastward, 1/4 mile northward, and 3/4 mile westward; the reef on the southern side of the island is narrow. There is a good channel with a depth of 32 fathoms (6.4 m.) for small vessels southward of Ilacaon Island; vessels using it should steer 91° (E. mag.) or 271° (W. mag.), giving the island a berth of 300 or 400 yards. Anchorage, good only in the northeast monsoon, may be found southward of the island in 3 fathoms (5.5 m.).

Ilacaon Channel is about 41⁄2 miles wide between the reefs fringing Ilacaon Island and Anauayan Island. With the exception of Ilacaon Reef, lying nearly in mid-channel, it is free from danger and has nowhere a depth of less than 42 fathoms (8.2 m.).

Ilacaon Reef is a small reef of coral bowlders and sand, with a least depth of 134 fathoms (3.2 m.) and surrounded by deep water, lying about 2 miles north-northwestward of Ilacaon Island.

East Rock is a small coral patch with bowlders, with a least depth of 14 fathom (0.4 m.), lying 3 miles eastward of Ilacaon Island.

From Ilacaon Point the coast trends southwesterly for 912 miles to the mouth of the Victorias River, and thence westerly for 61⁄2 miles to Tomonton Point. The coast line is low and flat, bordered by a fringe of mangroves, trees, bushes, etc., and the interior is mostly open country with patches of trees and cultivated land and considerable uncultivated land, grown up with bushes and grass, extending back for several miles. The land slopes gradually from the coast to the base of the mountains. This section of the coast is faced by shoal

water, which extends 2 miles in places, and near the edge of the 3-fathom curve are several small, dangerous, detached reefs.

Balaulan Reef is a small reef with a least depth of 1/4 fathom (0.4 m.) with 42 fathoms (8.2 m.) immediately northwestward of it. It lies about 134 miles from shore, 3 miles southwestward of Ilacaon Island.

Salong Reef is a small reef, bare at low water, lying 11⁄2 miles northward of the mouth of the Manapla River.

Manapla, the principal town on this part of the coast, lies at the mouth of the Manapla River, about 5 miles southwest of Ilacaon Point. Coral reefs extend a considerable distance from both sides of the river mouth, and the bar is nearly dry at low water. Small craft can enter the river at high water. Anchorage in 3 fathoms (5.5 m.) may be found 134 miles northward of the mouth of the river. The town of Victorias is just inside of the mouth of the river of the same name which empties about 42 miles southwest of Manapla. The river has a narrow channel with about 1 foot (0.3 m.) on the bar. It can be entered by small craft at high water.

Cambanog Shoal is a small shoal which bares at low water, lying 114 miles from shore, 3 miles northeastward of Tomonton Point.

Cambanog Shoal and Salong and Balaulan Reefs lie close to the edge of the 3-fathom (5.5 m.) curve, and inside of them the water shoals gradually toward the shore.

Saravia lies about 1 mile from the coast at the head of the Madalag Daco River, a small river about 42 miles westward of the Victorias River. The Madalag Daco River is navigable by small craft at high water to the bridge at Saravia. The town is not visible from the sea, being inside the mangrove marsh which extends along the shore. There are good roads between Saravia and Sılay and Victorias.

Tomonton Point, the northwest extremity of Negros, is low and swampy and covered with mangroves to about 1 mile inland. The point is surrounded by shoal water, which extends 3 miles in a northwest direction. This shoal is marked at its northwesterly end by a black gas buoy. (For a description of Tomonton Shoal see page 215.)

WEST COAST OF NEGROS

From Tomonton Point the coast trends south-southwesterly with a curve eastward for about 24 miles to Pandan Point, forming a wide bay which extends 5 miles eastward. The entire shore of this bay is faced by shoal water which extends in places 21⁄2 miles, and vessels navigating it should not cross the 5-fathom (9.1 m.) curve unless they are bound into one of the various ports. From Tomonton Point to Calubcub Point, 4 miles southward, the shores are fringed with mangroves; thence to Pandan Point it is low and sandy and fringed with coconut trees. The towns of Silay, Talisay, Bacolod, and Bago lie on the shores of this bay.

Silay is about 6 miles southward of Tomonton Point and about 11⁄2 mile inland. There is a small, wooden wharf, the outer end of which is dry at low water, at the terminus of the road which leads to the town. Small streamers from Iloilo call two or three times a week. There is a large, long, prominent church with a dome in the middle. A narrow, tortuous channel leads across the flats by which

small vessels with local knowledge can approach within 12 mile of the town wharf. To approach the anchorage at Silay the church should be brought to bear 100° (E. 3⁄44 S. mag.) and steered for, anchoring according to draft. This course will carry a vessel northward of two 1-fathom (1.8 m.) patches lying near the edge of the 3-fathom (5.5 m.) curve, 2 miles westward and 211⁄2 miles west-southwestward, respectively, of the wharf.

Talisay lies on the coast nearly 4 miles southward of Silay and shows well from seaward. The 3-fathom (5.5 m.) curve is over 2 miles from shore in this vicinity.

Bacolod, the capital of Occidental Negros and the largest town on the island, lies 4 miles southward of Talisay. It contains a large iron-roofed church and a number of other prominent buildings. There is a cablemark buoy about 2 miles northwestward of the church, and vessels are cautioned not to anchor on this line to avoid damaging the cable.

Bago lies on the east bank of the Lagason River, just inside its mouth. The large, iron-roofed buildings of the town show well through the opening in the trees, at the mouth of the river. The Lagason River empties on the northern side of Pandan Point, about 10 miles southwest of Bacolod; it is quite broad, but its mouth is obstructed by a sand bar with little depth. Small vessels enter the river at high water.

Pandan Point, the most western point of Negros in this vicinity, is low, sandy, and covered with coconut trees; it is quite prominent from north or south. On both sides of the point the water is shoal, but the western extremity is clear and steep-to, 5 fathoms (9.1 m.) being found within 200 yards of the shore. The channel between Pandan Point and the Iogiog Bank is about 1/2 mile wide.

From Pandan Point the coast trends southerly for 28 miles to the village of Suay. It is low, intersected by numerous rivers navigable for small craft, and fringed with coconut trees; from Suay the coast curves westward and increases in height. The town of Pulupandan lies on the south side of Pandan Point. The wharf at Pulupandan, on the south side of Pandan Point, has 26 feet (7.9 m.) of water alongside at low water; mud bottom. It is being extended to give a depth of 30 feet (9.1 m.). Ocean-going vessels call here for sugar during the milling season. The best approach is from the southward. Round the gas buoy which marks the south end of Iogiog Bank and steer a course about 21° for the head of the wharf. Anchor about 100 yards off the fish traps with the Maao Dock, bearing 16° true and the old dock bearing 90° true. During the northeast monsoon a vessel seldom, if ever, swings inshore on the turn of the tide, and loading from lighters is greatly facilitated by the smoother water obtained in anchoring close inshore. In going alongside the wharf, a south-running tide should be chosen and the port anchor dropped well off the wharf. Customs inspectors and stevedores are usually brought from Iloilo, and a vessel can save time by arranging to clear without returning to that port. Practically no supplies can be obtained at Pulupandan.

Southward of Pulupandan on or near the coast are the towns of Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Miranda, Hinigaran, Binal

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bagan, and Himamaylan. The shoal water which borders the south side of Pandan Point extends about 11 miles in a south-southwest direction to about 9 miles westward of the town of Pontevedra: from here it narrows in toward the coast near Maquiliquily Point, where a depth of 3 fathoms (5.5 m.) is found about 1 mile from the beach. There are channels by which small craft can approach the mouths of the various streams, but they should only be attempted by those having local knowledge.

The Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Ilog Rivers are important commercially because they afford transportation by lorchas to and from the many plantations in this part of Negros. They have about 1/4 fathom (0.4 m.) on the bar at low tide with 1 to 3 fathoms (1.8 to 5.5 m.) inside and are navigable for a considerable distance from their mouths.

Himamaylan (chart 4466) lies at the junction of the Himamaylan and Bingig Rivers, about 1 mile above the bar at the entrance. Suay, a barrio of the municipality of Himamaylan, on the Suay River, is of no commercial importance. Ilog lies about 4 miles up the Ilog River and is a town of considerable importance. Vessels desiring to communicate with any of the towns in this vicinity can anchor anywhere along the coast from 1 to 2 miles offshore in 3 to 5 fathoms (5.5 to 9.1 m.), mud bottom, but there is no protection except from south and east.

From 4 miles southwestward of the mouth of the Ilog River westward to Sojoton Point, the coast is moderately steep-to and the highland approaches close to the shore. Mount Malapantao, 2,030 feet (619 m.) high, and Mount Tantauayan, 1,475 feet (450 m.) high, make good landmarks for navigating in this vicinity. About 3 miles eastward of Sojoton Point is a deep valley leading inland, and off of this valley are the only dangers outside the shore reef. They are a coral reef that bares at low water lying 3/4 miles east-northeastward of Sojoton Point, and a 234-fathom (5 m.) shoal 1 mile westward of the reef, both lying less than 1 mile offshore. Gihulngan, Cauayan, Isio, Tuyum, and Caliling are small towns close to the shore along this part of the coast.

Sojoton Point, outside the shore reef about 300 yards wide, is steep-to. The land rises rapidly from the shore to a height of 520 feet (158 m.) less than 11⁄2 mile inland. The point is an excellent landmark when approaching from northward or southward, appearing as a step from the shore to the higher plateau farther inland.

SOUTH COAST OF NEGROS

At Sojoton Point the coast makes a sharp bend southward. Maquiliguian Point, 114 miles southward of Sojoton Point, extends about 2 mile outside the general trend of the coast and is over 100 feet (30 m.) high near the outer end. A reef, bare at low water, fringes the point on all sides, extending 1/4 mile northward and the same distance southwestward. A landing may be made on either side of the lower neck of land back of the point on which the town of Linaon stands. From Maquiliguian Point the shore trends southsouthwestward for 8 miles to Binigsian Point and consists of alternate coral reefs and bright sand beach. About 14 miles south of