THE NEW COALING STATION IN THE EAST, PORT HAMILTON.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5250, 23 July 1885, Page 2

THE NEW COALING STATION IN THE EAST, PORT HAMILTON.

The Shipping Gazette gives the following description of Port Hamilton, taken from the China Pilot :— The Nan-how or Nagnhau group, laying about NNEjE, 88 miles from the north-east end of Quelpart. consists of two large islands, deeply indented, the northern parts of which nearly meet, and which, with a third and smaller island — Observatory Island — situated between their south-eastern points, form a spacious and well-sheltered harbor named Port Hamilton, the main entrance to which is at the south-east part of the group. These islands may be readily distinguished from the numerous clumps of islets and rocks in the neighborhood by their greater size and massive, bold appearance, as well as their peculiar position. Except at a great distance from the southeastward, thpy invariably make as one island. Within Observatory Island a vessel may. be -safely hove down for repairs. Wood is scarce, fresh water is .plentiful and good, and easily embarked. Fish may be caught with the seine. Although the natives were friendly, their supplies were too limited, and the surveying vessel Saracen could not obtain : ffesh stock of any description in 1856. 'The crew roamed over the island as they pleased, but the inhabitants would not allow them to enter their houses. The largest village is in the north-west part of the harbour, and in 1859 it contained 250 inhabitants. The Port Hamilton group, so far as examination went, is clear of danger on all sides, but is best approached from from the south-east. There is also difficu'ty in entering the port at night if the weather be not very thick."