Latitude 16.25N. Longitude 93.43E. Course S28E. wind south force 1 becoming north westerly force 2 with broken cloud.
Under sail and steam. Performed divine Service.
Noon. Cape Nigrais S58E 41 nautical miles.
1500.Sighted land on the port bow.
1800. Pagoda Point N80E. Diamond Isle S56E. Steered for Diamond island on a SE course until Pagoda Point bore north, then steered east making an allowance for tide.
1830 sighted Alguanda Light SSE
1945. Came to in 5 fathoms with sandy bottom and veered to 2 shackles. Anchored off Diamond Isle. Anchor bearings Pagoda Point NW by W. Diamond Island SSW ½ W.
Remarks
Vessels anchoring off Diamond island should only just open Alguada light to the east of the shore nor open it too much. Cape Nigrais may be known by the rocks off it and also being at the end of a range of high land. Pagoda Point had a pagoda on its very point and is therefore very conspicuous. Porian Point is very low with white cliffs. Received a pilot from Diamond island and started up the river on the morning of the 4th. Alguada Light on with east end of Diamond leads clear of Fairway buoy. During the SW monsoon the sea breaks very heavily on outer shoals and raises a very heavy sea. In the channel. The south buoy on the outer shore has been washed away and not replaced. Port Dalhouria although described in sailing directions does not exist.. The channel between Negrais Island and mainland is blocked up. The Fairway buoy is red and marked as Fairway bearing NE one nautical mile and a half. The town of Bassein is situated about 80 feet up high on the on the east bank. There are several villages on the way up. The largest of which is Napecta just above the junction. The passage to the north of Diamond Point island should not be attempted during the SW monsoon by sailing vessels. Diamond Point is a low island covered with trees. There is a pilot station house where the pilots board from.
