mountain range from 3,000 to 4,000 feet (914 to 1,219 m.) high, running parallel to the coast.

Baybay is a small town near the mouth of the Pangbaganan River; it is a port of call for the coasting steamers. Anchorage, protected from all winds except from the westward, may be found in 12 to 15 fathoms (21.9 to 27.4 m.), muddy bottom, about 1/2 mile westward of the town.

From Baybay the coast line curves to form a bay about 1 mile deep between Baybay and the reefs off Catarman Point, 22 miles southwestward. A noticeable hill, 316 feet (96 m.), stands on the eastern shore of this bay.

A small coral reef with a least depth of 1 fathom (1.8 m.) lies 134 miles south-southwestward of Baybay. There is good anchorage back of the reef and also off the village of Pumpungan, at the head of the bay, in 6 to 10 fathoms (11 to 18.3 m.); muddy bottom.

Catarman Point is fringed by a reef which extends nearly 1/2 mile northwestward. From this point the coast trends southward with a bend eastward for 10 miles to Amogotada Point. From Catarman Point to the village of Guadalupe, 6 miles southward, the coast is coarse-gravel beach backed by hills from 600 to 2,000 feet (183 to 610 m.) high. The water is deep close to shore.

A reef covered by a least depth of 11⁄2 fathoms (2.7 m.) lies westsouthwestward of the village of Guadalupe, and another reef, bare at low water, lies 1 mile southwestward of the same point and 1⁄2 mile from shore.

Inopacan is a small town, 81⁄2 miles southward of Catarman Point, on the north side of Amogotada Point.

Amogotada Point is a low, flat point fringed with mangroves and covered with coconut trees. It is skirted by reefs to a distance of nearly 800 yards with deep water close up to them. Mount Bontoc, a very conspicuous, steep, flat-crowned hill, 665 feet (203 m.) high, lies immediately south of Amogotada Point; when first seen from northward it appears as an island and is liable to be mistaken for the point, which is quite low.

Cuatro Islands are a group of four islets lying west and northwest of Amogotada Point. The channels between the islands and between them and the coast of Leyte are deep and clear. Himuquitan Islet, the southern and largest, lies 212 miles westward of Amogotada Point; it is 328 feet (100 m.) high, very conspicuous, and fringed by a narrow, steep-to, coral reef. Apit Islet lies 11 miles north of Himuquitan; it is 150 feet (46 m.) high and fringed by a narrow reef. Mahaba Islet lies about 2 miles northwest of Apit; it is 137 feet (42 m.) high and fringed by a reef which on the south side extends to a distance of nearly 11⁄2 mile. Daquio Islet lies about 12 miles north-northwest of Apit. It is low and sandy and 40 feet (12.2 m.) high to the tops of the trees; it is surrounded by a reef which on the northwest end extends over 1/4 mile.

From Amogotada Point the coast trends southward for 41⁄2 miles to Binobolang Point; thence continues with a deep curve eastward for 15 miles in the same direction to Green Point, the southwestern extremity of Leyte. Along this coast the bottom shelves off more gradually, the 10-fathom (18.3 m.) curve being found in some places more than 12 mile from the shore.

Hindang is a small town about 3 miles southward of Amogotada Point. The shore reef widens in this vicinity to about 600 yards. The usual anchorage for Hindang is about 1/2 mile from shore in 7 to 10 fathoms (12.8 to 18.3 m.), with the church bearing 141° (SE. 12 S. mag.).

The small and unimportant towns of Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, and Cajagnaan lie between Hindang and Green Point.

Canigao Island lies about 1 mile from shore and 6 miles northwestward of Green Point. It is about 600 yards in extent, low, and covered with coconut trees. It lies on the northeastern edge of a reef 1 mile long north and south and nearly 11⁄2 mile wide at the southern end. An occulting white light, visible 12 miles, is shown from a white steel framed structure on the northeast point of the island.

The channel, between Canigao Island and Leyte, is nearly 1 mile wide, clean, and has depths of 9 to 14 fathoms (16.4 to 25.6 m.) in it.

Abel Reef, with a least depth of 334 fathoms (6.8 m.), lies 2 miles southward of Canigao Island. Adam and Eve Reefs and Cain Shoal, lying between Canigao Island and Danajon Bank, have already been described.

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Carmen Shoal, on which the steamer N. S. del Carmen was reported to have struck in 1891, formerly shown on the charts about south by west, distant 4 miles from Canigao Island, and marked position doubtful," does not exist in that position, the least water in that vicinity being 911⁄2 fathoms (17.4 m.). The sunken rock reported by the U. S. S. Bennington as lying 1/4 mile from the shore off Green Point has been investigated and found to be the termination of the shore reef; it has 12 fathom (0.9 m.) of water over it and 6 fathoms (11 m.) immediately outside. The natives of the neighboring village of Guadalupe state that this is the rock on which the N. S. del Carmen struck. No other shoal water was found in this vicinity, and the southwest coast of Leyte may be rounded safely at a distance of 3⁄4 mile.

SOUTH COAST OF LEYTE

From Green Point the coast trends easterly for 6 miles to the town of Maasin and thence southeasterly for 13 miles to Taancan Point. All this part of the coast is formed by rocky points and small sand beaches off which the water is too deep to afford good anchorage. The town of Macrohon and a number of villages lie on the coast between Maasin and Taancan Point.

Maasin (chart 4426) is a small town on a sand beach from which a coral reef, bare at low water, projects about 400 yards southward. Good anchorage will be found off the eastern end of this reef in 5 or 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11 m.). Small craft can anchor closer in, off the northeast point of the reef, in 3 to 4 fathoms (5.5 to 7.3 m.); sticky bottom.

A fixed red light, visible 7 miles, is shown from a platform on a white, wooden post 200 feet (61 m.) northwestward of the boat landing. This light, steered for on a 328° (NNW. % W. mag.) course, will lead to an anchorage in 5 or 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11 m.).

Taancan Point, the southern extremity of Leyte, is low and formed of rock underworn by the sea, giving it the appearance of a

rampart. It is fringed by a narrow, steep-to reef, outside of which the water deepens rapidly, a depth of 10 fathoms (18.3 m.) being found within 3 mile of the point. Taancan Point is the southern termination of a low, wooded peninsula about 11⁄2 miles long northwest and southeast and 1⁄2 mile wide. The northern part of this peninsula is formed by a mangrove swamp through which there is a passage known as Santa Sophia Canal, used by native sailing craft at high water. Parts of this passage bare at low water, and in one place it is only 30 yards wide.

Limasawa Island, southeastward of Taancan Point, from which it is separated by a clear, deep channel 3 miles wide, is well wooded, and 719 feet (219 m.) high in the northern part. The western part is well populated, and a considerable part of the land is planted with hemp and coconut trees. Limasawa is fringed by a narrow, steep-to reef off which the water is too deep to afford good anchorage for large vessels. The only detached danger off this island is a small coral reef with a least depth of 434 fathoms (8.7 m.) lying about % mile from the eastern shore and about 1 mile northward from the south end. The tidal currents run with great velocity here, the flood stream to the northwest and the ebb to the southeast.

Sogod Bay is between Taancan Point, Leyte, and Ilijan Point, Panaon Island. It is deep, free from danger, and contains no good harbor. The shores are clear and so steep-to that there are very few places where anchorage with sufficient swinging room, except for the smallest class of vessels, can be had. The towns of Malitbog and Sogod and a large number of villages lie on the shores of the bay. Hemp is the principal product of this vicinity, all the more accessible hills being planted with it. Considerable copra is also made, but except for the strip of land along the beach the country is not adapted to the growing of coconuts.

Malitbog is a small town on the western shore of the bay, about 9 miles northward of Taancan Point. It has regular steam communication with Manila and Cebu, and there are a number of small steamers trading in the bay with Malitbog as their headquarters. Malitbog has a good wharf with a depth of 12 feet (3.6 m.) at its end, and there are two mooring buoys maintained for the use of vessels lying at it. Fresh water may be had from a pipe on the wharf. The best anchorage for vessels not using the wharf is just northward from it in 15 fathoms (27.4 m.), hard sand bottom. A fixed red light, visible 7 miles, is shown from the top of the jail.

Anchorage may be found in a bight just northward of the village of Banday, 91⁄2 miles northward of Malitbog in 17 fathoms (31 m.), sand and coral bottom. Immediately northward of the village of Bontoc, 3 miles northward of Banday, there is a bight in which many of the coasting steamers and small sailing craft seek refuge in typhoon weather, preferring it to Port Liloan.

Sogod and Consolacion, at the head of the bay, do considerable trade but afford no anchorage except for small craft, which anchor in very deep water and just clear the shore reef in swinging.

Panaon Island, separated from Leyte by Panaon Strait, is mountainous and is divided through its length by a ridge which rises near the northern end to a height of 2,600 feet (792 m.) and terminates southward in a peak 2,323 feet (708 m.) high, which forms the south

end of the island. The entire coast of this island is clear and steep-to, and there are no offlying dangers. With the exception of Liloan Bay there are no good anchorages.

Liloan Bay is a small, semicircular cove about 3 mile in extent, making into the northwest part of Panaon Island at the western entrance to Panaon Strait. The town of Liloan lies on the southwest shore of the bay. Good sheltered anchorage for small vessels may be found about 1 mile northeastward of the church in 7 fathoms (12.8 m.), sand and coral bottom. Liloan Point, the western entrance point to the bay, may be rounded at a distance of 1 mile or less and the vessel then hauled southward to the recommended anchorage. A fixed red light, visible 7 miles, is shown from a white frame structure on Liloan Point.

Panaon Strait (chart 4424), between Leyte and Panaon Islands, is about 90 yards wide at the narrowest point, where the depth in the middle is from 6 to 7 fathoms (11 to 12.8 m.). On account of the strong tidal currents no sailing vessel should attempt this passage except in a case of necessity. The tidal currents run with a velocity of 3 to 4 knots at spring tides with strong eddies and whirlpools at either end. The flood tide sets west and the ebb east. The eastern entrance is the shoaler, having a least depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.) at a point about in mid-channel, 4 mile eastward from the narrows. Coasting steamers passing through the strait usually pass southward from this 9-foot (2.7 m.) spot and favor the Panaon side to avoid the stronger current and whirlpools on the Leyte side.

The only danger in the western entrance is a detached rocky shoal with a least depth of 11 feet (3.3 m.) and surrounded by deep water, situated 1/4 mile east-northeastward of the western entrance to Liloan Bay. Vessels should pass southward of this shoal, as foul ground lies between it and the Leyte shore.

EAST COAST OF LEYTE

Mangayao Point, immediately northward of the eastern entrance to Panaon Strait, is formed by a little, rocky promontory, precipitous at its outer end, about 50 feet (15.2 m.) high, and wooded on top; it is clear and steep-to. A shoal about 1 mile long northeast and southwest and with a least depth of 321⁄2 fathoms (6.4 m.) lies about 3 mile eastward of Mangayao Point. The channel between it and the shore is over 1/4 mile wide, deep, and clear.

From Mangayao Point the coast trends northerly for about 6 miles to the mouth of the Himbangan River. The long peninsula, terminating at Panaon Strait, is traversed by a range of heavily wooded hills broken up into little peaks. They approach close to the eastern shore of the peninsula and form a series of steep, rocky bluffs, interspersed with short sand beaches.

Marangay Point, about 134 miles northward of Mangayao Point, is the most prominent point on this coast. It is formed by a bold, wooded bluff descending steeply from a height of 200 feet (61 m.) to the rocks at its foot. Two rocky islets on the outer edge of the reef, off the village of Molopolo, 1 mile south of Marangay Point, are prominent.

From the Himbangan River the coast trends easterly, with a bend southward for about 7 miles, to Magusan Point, and thence northward, with a bend eastward for 81⁄2 miles, to Pandan Point, forming a large promontory, which is dominated by Mount Cabalian. Mount Cabalian, which is the most prominent mountain in the vicinity of Surigao Strait, is 3,100 feet (945 m.) high about 2 miles inland. It is cone-shaped, with the upper part broken off and ending in three main peaks, the central one being the highest. The land rises gradually at first and is well cultivated for quite a distance up the slopes, only the upper portion of the mountain being wooded.

The shores as far as the village of Anahawan, about 1 mile northeastward of Magusan Point, are formed by a steep, cobblestone beach with deep water close-to; from Anahawan northward to Pandan Point there is a narrow, fringing reef. The shore is lined with coconut groves and thickly settled.

Himatagon, just eastward of the mouth of the Himbangan River, and Cabalian, about 2 miles eastward of Himatagon, are the principal ports between the Himbangan River and Magusan Point. The water off both these places is very deep, and the anchorages are only tenable during the northeast monsoon. The small vessels trading on this coast anchor with a light anchor and line and seldom remain overnight, preferring to run to Liloan and return the following day. Magusan Point is low and rounding and covered with coconut trees; it is clear and steep-to.

Hinundayan Cove, a small indentation in the coast line about 6 miles northward of Magusan Point, is very much exposed in the northeast monsoon. Anchorage in the fine-weather season may be found in 7 fathoms (12.8 m.) about 400 yards from shore, with the church bearing 243° (SW. by W. 12 W. mag.) and the tangent to Bogho Point 26° (NNE. 14 E. mag.). A detached reef with a least depth of 334 fathoms (6.8 m.) lies in the southern part of the cove about 3% mile from shore.

Bogho Point, the northern entrance point to Hinundayan Cove, is low and rounding and fringed with a narrow reef; the land rises steep and wooded at the back.

Pandan Point is very prominent; it is composed of weathered coral rock 12 to 15 feet (3.6 to 4.6 m.) high and wooded on top. The land back of the point rises abruptly and is well wooded.

From Pandan Point the coast trends southwestward for 11⁄2 miles and thence northwestward for 4 miles to Saingan Point forming Hinunangan Bay, the head of which is shoal. The town of Hinunangan lies on the north side of the mouth of the Malaga River. The Malaga River has very little water on its bar at low water. The water shoals gradually in Hinunangan Bay and anchorage may be taken up off the town, according to draft. In the northeast monsoon, when it is too rough to lie in front of the town, partial shelter may be found off Kanipaan, 114 miles north-northwestward of Hinunangan, the Cabugan Islands acting as a breakwater. Most of the little steamers trading to Hinunangan discharge their cargoes here when the northeast winds are strong and when it would be impossible to discharge in front of the town. Good shelter may also be found under the lee of Cabugan Islands, but the depths here are greater.