New-York tribune., 1900-05-31
FINE HARBOR DISCOVERED
SHELTERED ANCHORAGE ON THE
COAST OF LUZON UNKNOWN TO
THE SPANIARDS.

THE SPANlAhDS.
Manila April s-With the approach OF this years
hot weather, which to Manila every April
May and June. the vessels of the United States
Navy have been slipping away to the cooler ports
Of China and Japan. II is mighty pleasant thing
thus 10 get away from the Philippines during the
heat of summer. and such a change FOR; three
months viii greatly benefit the whole ships COM
pany. This consideration OF the health Of HIS men
was a strong factor in deciding Admiral Watson
TO order several OF the ships from this station to
spend the summer between Yokohama and Hong
Kong. 1t is pity the Army cannot get this change
Persistent work tells on man out here. and the
Americans have not yet learned the Oriental habits
ot slowness in business and maps during the heat
Of the day 1t is estimated that on average the
American here does one-haf of the work he
would do at home under the say1s circumstances,
and every knows II is just twice as hard 70
accomplish this half Army officers can only get
this change TO the cooler ana even cold climate OF
China and Japan by obtaining sick leave, but 1t
TO many OF the naval officers part OF their
duties.
During the latter part Of April the Oregon, the
Brooklyn the Baltimore, the Newark the New
Orleans and the Concord from the Manila station,
and the Yosemite, from Guam, are TO rendezvous
al Yokohama Admiral Watson will transfer the
command of the Asiauc feet TO Admiral Remey
on April 20 and probably Hong Kong Admiral
Remey VIII then go aboard the Brooklyn and Ad-
nral Watson will to his former flagship the
Baltimore. Then the Baltimore will break out
that long, homewardbound pennant, and start for
American waters. She VIII go via the Suez Canal,
and TIE Navy Department has given the Admiral
permission to stop at such Mediterranean ports as
he desires. and he will also probably go to Havre
so that the ships officers may attend the Paris Ex
position. This trip to Paris may be made from
Marseiles but II there is time the vessel will
go around to the northern French port
The final examinations OF the cadets OF the Naval
Academy class of 99 will be held the Brooklyn
this month. Yokohama. This is great disap-
pointment 10 the cadets; 1t prevents their return
home and in many cases. viii result In the adding
of three years more sea service in Philippines
the two years they have already served
here. The return TO Annapolis, after the first
two years following their departure from
the academy is always a most pleasant incident in
the lives OF the young naval officers. It is class
reunion In the alma after years Of travel
and duty in parts OF the world II also means
a family and friends. All this is denied
class OF 'ss. 1t being inexpedIent return those
who are on this station Annapolis for their
finals they win begin their three years cruise
following the final examinations without the chance
OF getting home.
The Baltimore starts home from Yokohama and
Yosemite returns to Guam. stopping first one
week in Manila The rest OF the feet. the Oregon
the Brooklyn. the Newark, the New-Orleans and the
Concord will then begin a cruise down Japan 10
China. stopping about days at Kobe Nagasak
Shanghai and Hong Kong. Other ports may be
visited this cruise, but they have not yet been
announced
The Baltimore has just completed the circun-
navigation of Luzon Island and is her way
10 Hong Kong. While the eastern coast of
luzon the Baltimore made a careful survey or
Casiguran Sound and Bay, which TO the Navy is
locality OF considerable present and pos
sfble future value. Here Navy has discovered
practically splendid and sheltered harpor where
the Spanish charts gave indication OF such q
refuge. Last summer the Wheeling steamed into
Casiguran Sound and found at It's head a well
protected and large bay with deep water. The
Wheeling's examination OF this new find was cur
sorry only. she had other duties to attend to
al the time; but her reports OF its existence
interested Admiral Watson that he later detailed
the Charleston to proceed thither and make care
full survey Of the place 1nzhs the Charleston did
and it while the Inflated vessel returning
from this trip that she the rocks near Cana
guin Island and was lost The survey er Casiguran
Bay, prepared by her officers not saved. So
fore sailing Tor home Admiral Watson wanted this
Information, so about three weeks ago the Balu-
examine and report upon the newly discovered
She found the sound to be about nine miles long,
from cape Telelfonso on the sea side. into the
is from six to two miles broad and has very deem
water It's entire length. It's general direction is
into the inner bay is 300 yards wide. with deep
, water up to the shores ship like the Baltimore
could tie up at the shore and reach land with a
gangplenk The inner bay is three and two-tenths
general depth is fifteen fahoIns and fRe sncSoraes
II al .ha1 couia be desired The surrounding hills
winds that blow, and when is afioat upon its
waters the bay has the appearance of a Iandocked
lake. And the best OF the Spanish charts gave not
the slightest intimation that such a bay existed!
chart chart makers There is an island in Lingayen Gulr
which is down in the charts of the Spaniards in a
place.
Casiguran Bay and Gulf were carefully examined
by officers OF the Baltimore. For six days they
launches. and under the hot tropical sun. 1t was
learned that the west side of the bay showed
email shoal and that there is reef. visible in
N
trance to the sound. Otherwise there is deep
everywhere in bay and gulf.
The Baltimore held some little communication
with the natives shore while inside the bay
One day a canoe. or raft, seen approaching
the men who propelled it stopped every thee three
strokes of their paddles 10 a white flag.
for a garrison to protect them from the depreda-
tions of the alleged bands Of insurgents operating
Baltimore not there to establish garrisons and
the natives went sadly back TO their village.
Another day launch from the Baltimore was
sound taking the depth OF the water n6 stISIing %
the shore. II had got pretty historic
town Of Baler when the engine broke down, and
boat and crew were at the mercy of the waves
which broke hard the rocks to leeward Every
effort made TO repair the damage to the
machinery and get under way again before the
launch should be blown upon the rocks when the
crew noticed large crowd OF half naked natives.
armed with bows and arrows and bolos, concen-
trating on that part of the shore where the wind
had one 1-pounder, six rifles and a Mauser pistol
armament, and as the savages shore showed
placed in readiness for action But when the little
steamer was within thousand yards Of the beach
her machinery repaired and she turned and
steamed gayy away from the disappointed men on
shore
on the island add materially TO its value in this
guran Sound and Gulf is of particular interest
our biggest vessels could enter and anchor in this
bay without the slightest difficulty.
THINKS THERE WILL BE A DIVIDEND