NOTICE EXPLANATORY OF A CHART
op
THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE GULF OF PE-CHE-LEE,
YELLOW SEA.
I n constructing this chart. I have assumed the longitude of ° • t . ' used in conthe
fort at the mouth of the Pei-ho to be; ,117°.49' east of fh™°tios the
Greenwich, or 11' west of the place where the squadron Jay
a t anchor. From this the difference of longitude was measured
by two chronometers. The latitudes were ascertained
by frequent observations of the stars, as well as of the sun.
The coast on the south and south-west sides of this Aspectofthe south and south-
Gulf is very low, resembling, in this respect, the shore a t "cst ““,sthe
entrance of the Pei-ho, or Pekin river, where it , is
uniformly low and sandy ; occasionally a few houses are. to
be seen, and also square mounds or buildings like forts, but
generally, a low white beach is all that can be discovered.
The coast is not visible till within about three leagues
distance, and the eye elevated eighty feet from the .sea,
which is the height of the Lyra’s foretop-gallant yard. The sounding,,
depth of water when the land firstcame in sight, was generally
five fathoms; a t some places only four fathoms, and at the