Talingting is a large village on the shore about 411⁄2 miles northwestward of Daquit Point. It contains a large prominent church and other buildings. The shore in front of the village is fringed by a narrow reef with deep water close-to.

Sandugan Point, the northern extremity of Siquijor, is low and gradually rises to a hill 530 feet (161 m.) high less than 1 mile southeast from it. It is fringed by a reef, bare at low water, about 1 mile wide, with deep water close-to.

NORTH COAST OF SAMAR

Samar is the third island of the Philippines in size. It has an area of 5.031 square statute miles and a general shore line of 358 miles (412 statute miles). It is about 136 miles long in a northwestand-southeast direction, and its greatest width is 51 miles. Samar is moderately high, heavily wooded, and well watered. It is sparsely populated, and but a small part of the island is under cultivation. The principal export is hemp. There are no ports of entry, and most of the business is carried on through Manila.

From Balicuatro Point, the northwest extremity of Samar, the coast trends in a general easterly direction for about 50 miles to the eastern entrance to Port Palapag and is faced by numerous islands, banks, and shoals. This coast is exposed to the full force of the northeast nonsoon which blows at times with the force of a gale and is accompanied with much rain and a very heavy sea; at this season of the year there is no safe anchorage between the Biri Channel and Port Palapag, and it is frequently impossible to communicate with the towns of Bobon and Catarman.

Balicuatro Islands are a group of islands lying north of the northwest part of Samar. Biri Island, the largest and most northern of the group, lies with its northwest extremity about 8 miles northeastward of Balicuatro Point. It is generally high (280 feet85 m. in the center) and heavily wooded. Biri Head, the northwest point, is a rocky, perpendicular bluff 200 feet (61 m.) high, clear and steep-to, and is a conspicuous landmark when approaching San Bernardino Strait from northeastward. About 1/4 mile eastward of Biri Head a steep-to coral reef begins which continues along the northeast and east sides of the island and also surrounds all the islands lying east and southeast of Biri Island. On the outer edge of this reef, which bares at low water, are a series of islands of limestone formation, 10 to 120 feet (3 to 36 m.) high, which are distinctive features. With the exception of the two ends of the island and these outlying islands on the northeast and east sides, the shore line is low and fringed with mangroves. On the west side is a low bluff and gravel beach most of the way. The interior of the island is covered with heavy timber. Most of the inhabitants are on the west side of the island.

About 1⁄2 mile east-northeastward of Biri Head is a rock 20 feet (6.1 m.) high, and about 3/4 mile southward of Biri Head and 3⁄4 mile from shore is a rock 15 feet (4.6 m.) high surrounded by a small coral reef.

Macarite and Cagnipa are two small islands southwest of Biri Island, from which they are separated by narrow channels; their

interiors are made up of detached hills of moderate height. Protected anchorage may be found in about 20 fathoms (36 m.) between the north end of Cagnipa and Macarite. This anchorage is not recommended, the bottom being rocky and the tidal current strong. Talisay, Magesang, Makadlao, Tinau, and a number of small, unnamed islands and rocks lie east and southeast from Biri Island; they and Biri Island all lie on one great reef largely bare at low water.

There is a small but well-protected anchorage between the south end of Biri Island and Makadlao Island (chart 4220). To approach it from Biri Channel, pass about 1/4 mile westward of a small, bright, sandy cay lying about 3/4 mile off the western end of Makadlao Island, stand northward, and anchor between the reefs in 15 to 20 fathoms (27.4 to 36.6 m.) The edges of the reefs marking this anchorage show plainly, are steep-to, and in many places are marked by fish traps.

Between the Balicuatro Islands and those nearer the coast of Samar is Biri Channel, generally used by coasting vessels bound for ports in northern and eastern Samar.

In Biri Channel and the other channels in this vicinity there are strong tidal currents, the flood flowing westward and the ebb eastward, the change of current occurring about four hours after high water and low water, respectively.

San Juan and Bani Islands, on the south side of Biri Channel, are a group of five heavily wooded islands, closely joined, and appear as one island. They are San Juan, Elonbachid, Nagnasa, Maravilla, and Bani. The first four are separated only at high tide. The outer shores are well defined, usually bold, and fringed by a narrow coral reef; the interior shores are largely mangrove swamps.

Bani Channel is a narrow passage between Bani Island and Samar sometimes used by coasting vessels. There are two shoals of 12 and 21⁄2 fathoms (2.7 and 4.6 m.), lying 1⁄2 mile from the west coast of Bani Island.

Balicuatro Point, the northwest extremity of Samar, is clear and steep-to, the reef which fringes it on both sides being narrow. The point rises to a hill 700 feet (213 m.) high about 1 mile from shore and is covered with heavy timber.

Cocoanut Island, the first island eastward of Balicuatro Point, lies near the shore and is low and covered with coconut trees. The coast from Balicuatro Point to Cocoanut Island is high and covered with heavy timber, the points are rocky, and in most of the bights there are beaches.

Lavezares, a small town, lies at the head of a bight southward and eastward of Cocoanut Island. This bight is shoal and nearly blocked with reefs, but there is a narrow boat channel between them to the beach. Good anchorage for small craft, protected from westerly winds, may be found northward of Lavezares; this anchorage is bad in northerly and northeasterly gales or when a swell sets in from the Pacific.

Directions. Bring the church in Lazevares to bear 181° (S. mag.) and steer for it; pass in between the reefs and anchor in 2 or 3 fathoms (3.6 to 5.5 m.). The swinging room is limited but the holding ground is good. Sometimes there are two large stakes on the edges of the reefs in 2 fathoms (3.6 m.); small vessels should anchor

outside of them. Anchorage for large vessels will be found farther out with the church bearing 181° (S. mag.) and the detached shoal eastward of the entrance 91° (E. mag.).

The coast from Cocoanut Island to Baird Point is low and largely mangrove swamp, with the exception of Cave Point, which is about 300 feet (91 m.) high. Baird Point is on the northern part of Gilbert Island; it is clear and steep-to. From here to the village of Caranian the shores are low and fringed with mangroves. Gilbert Island is well wooded and separated from the mainland by a narrow boat channel. Good shelter may be found in the channel southward of Gilbert Island in 4 fathoms (7.3 m.), smooth bottom, entering from eastward.

Cabaun Island, the most eastern island in this vicinity, is low, fringed with mangroves, and surrounded by a reef, which extends 11⁄2 mile from the northeastern side. The channel between the south end of the island and the reefs surrounding Bat Island is over 14 mile wide, deep, and free from danger.

Ugamut Island is a small, low, mangrove-covered island lying close to the southwest side of Cabaun Island, from which it is separated by a narrow, impracticable channel. The region northwest of Ugamut is full of reefs.

Green Island, small and about 100 feet (30 m.) high, lies between Gilbert and Cabaun Islands. It is surrounded by a reef, and north and east of it the ground is foul.

Foot Island, between Ugamut Island and Samar, is a small island about 10 feet (3 m.) high and surrounded by a reef. There are a number of dangerous, detached reefs between it and Green Island.

Bat Island is a small, low island surrounded by a wide reef lying between the south end of Cabaun Island and Samar. The usual track of vessels is northward of Bat Island.

Caranian Channel is a narrow channel sometimes used by coasting vessels which usually pass south of Green and Foot Islands and north of Bat Island. The part of the channel southeastward of Foot Island has very irregular bottom, the least water found being 4 fathoms (7.3 m.). The channel is contracted by reefs extending from the islands and the coast of Samar. All the channels in this vicinity are subject to strong and irregular tidal currents.

Caranian, a regular port of call for coasting steamers, lies on the eastern shore of a small cove on the coast of Samar facing Foot Island. This cove is nearly blocked by reefs, leaving a narrow boat channel to the shore.

There is a range of hills nearly reaching the coast just eastward of Caranian, which is the only high land in this vicinity. From the beginning of the bay southward of Bat Island to Bobon Point the shore line is low and has a sandy beach, outside of which is the usual coral reef.

A rock about 10 feet (3 m.) high lies on a shoal, bare at low water, 113 miles west-northwestward of Bobon Church.

Bobon is a small town 411⁄2 miles eastward of Caranian, on the west side of Bobon Point, at the mouth of the river of the same name. Reefs project from both entrance points to the river, leaving a narrow boat channel to the beach in front of the town. The usual

anchorage in fine weather is in 6 to 8 fathoms (11 to 14.6 m.) with the church bearing 120° (SE. by E. % E. mag.), distant 3/4 mile. A rock, bare at low water, lies 23 mile westward of Bobon Church. A number of shoals and banks lie northward of this part of Samar. Fitzgerald Banks are three banks with 10, 62, and 62 fathoms (18.3, 11.9, and 11.9 m.), respectively, lying 5, 7, and 10 miles eastnortheastward of the highest point of Biri Island.. These banks, clearly indicated by their color, are of coral formation, and an examination indicates that the above are the least depths. The northeastern two probably break in heavy weather, but no reports of their doing so have been received.

Wright Shoal is a large shoal on which the sea breaks heavily in bad weather, lying with its center 15 miles eastward of the highest point of Biri Island. This shoal is about 3/4 mile in extent and has a least depth of 6 fathoms (11 m.).

A small shoal covered by an approximate depth of 5 fathoms (9.1 m.) lies about 111⁄2 miles southward of Wright Shoal.

Fisher Shoal, on which the sea breaks in bad weather, lies 51 miles northward of Bobon Church. This shoal is about 1 mile in extent and has a least depth of 5 fathoms (9.1 m.).

Catarman Shoal, on which the sea breaks in moderate weather, lies 42 miles northward of Catarman Church. This shoal is about 5% mile in extent and has a least depth of 1 fathom (1.8 m.).

The town of Catarman is about 5 miles eastward of Bobon on the west bank of the Catarman River. It lies about 1/2 mile back from the beach and is nearly obscured by trees, only the roofs of the houses being visible. The western side of the river mouth is formed by a long sand spit, which is reported to shift considerably during the northeast monsoon. From the shore immediately eastward of the river mouth two coral reefs, partly bare at low water, extend about 1/4 mile north, leaving a break between them where small boats may land when it is too rough to enter the river or land on the beach in front of the town. Maguran Reef, a large coral reef, bare at low water, lies northward of the above break and protects the landing in bad weather. Coasting vessels usually load at Cawayan. The channel into Cawayan is narrow but is marked by two beacons. The kedge anchor is used to hold the vessels into the swell. The channel across the bar into the Catarman River is very narrow and has a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m.) at low water, and there is very little water in the river. In fine weather small launches may enter at high water by keeping close to the end of the sand spit westward and turning sharply southwestward when it is abeam to avoid rocks eastward and inside the entrance. A fixed red light is shown from a concrete pillar on the beach at Cawayan.

The usual anchorage is in about 5 fathoms (9.1 m.), sandy bottom, about 2 mile northwestward of the mouth of the river. To clear Catarman Shoal bring Catarman Church to bear 187° (S. 12 W. mag.) when about 5 miles distant and steer for it. This anchorage is frequently unsafe during the northeast monsoon, which sends in a heavy sea.

From the mouth of the Catarman River to Livas Point, the western entrance to Laoang Bay, the coast presents few distinctive features.

It is heavily wooded to the water's edge and traversed by low ridges seldom over 300 feet (91 m.) high. There are no prominent peaks and very few landmarks. Little or no cultivation is visible from the shore. From the Catarman River to Bugtu Point the shore is faced by numerous coral reefs. The village of Cawayan lies on the eastern side of the mouth of Catarman River, and the village of Maquinalo, the town of Mondragon, and the village of Bugtu, all of which are small and unimportant, lie on this coast. The Bugtu River, a small stream, empties just westward of Bugtu Point.

Bugtu Point is fringed by coral, bare at low water, which extends nearly 11⁄2 mile northward. From Bugtu Point the coast trends easterly and then curves around northerly and northwesterly to Oot Point, forming Bantayan Bay. The villages of Bantayan and Lauangan lie on the shores of this bay.

Oot Point is a long, low, sharp point projecting in a northwest direction. Its extremity is a mangrove swamp bordered by a reef for nearly 3 mile. From Oot Point the coast trends eastward, with a curve southward for about 6 miles to Livas Point.

The town of Pambuhan lies at the mouth of the river of the same name about 2 miles southwest of Livas Point. The church at Pambuhan is prominent and forms a fairly good landmark. Anchorage may be found off Pambuhan in about 6 fathoms (11 m.), sandy bottom, about 11⁄2 mile northward of the church. To approach this anchorage bring the church to bear 181° (S. mag.) when about 3 miles distant; steer for the church on this bearing and anchor according to draft.

Livas Point, the western entrance to Laoang Bay, is low, wooded, and fringed with reefs. A large detached reef, bare at low water, lies with its northern extremity 114 miles northwestward of Livas. Point.

Hirapsan Island, about 3 miles east-northeastward of the mouth of the Catarman River and 1 mile from shore, is about 12 feet (3.6 m.) high, but the trees are tall and dense, giving it the appearance of being more elevated than it is.

Palijon Island, about 1 mile northwest from Hirapsan Island, is a mangrove swamp, all of the ground being covered at high water. Hirapsan and Palijon lie on a reef 2 miles long in a northwest and southeast direction; between the two islands the reef bares at low water. Fairly good anchorage, protected during the northeast monsoon, may be found westward of Hirapsan Island.

Cajoagan Island is a small island about 3 miles northwestward of Oot Point. It is surrounded by a reef, beyond which shoal water extends 1 mile from the island.

Within an area bounded by Hirapsan, Palijon, and Cajoagan Islands and Bugtu Point are a number of dangerous reefs and shoal patches whose position will best be understood by reference to the chart; this area must be navigated with caution.

Villalobos Reef, with a least depth of 42 fathoms (8.2 m.), breaks heavily in the northeast monsoon. It is about 11⁄2 mile in extent and lies with its center 6 miles northward of Pambuhan Church.