'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎91] (108/258)

GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH—SURVEYS IN INDIA.
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feetly surveyed, including in their explorations the creek and anchorage of
Porebunder off the Kattiawar Coast. The tidal channels between Minora
Point, Kurrachee Harbour, and the Kedwaree mouth of the Indus were at
the same time surveyed by Mr. Ferrer, Acting Master. His charts were
published in 1853.
Malabar Coast —It is, perhaps, a singular illustration of the adage, that
while we seek for information regarding places at a distance, we are often con
tent to remain in ignorance in reference to what is at our doors, that for
twenty years after we had prosecuted our surveys within the shores of the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Bussorah, and straits and channels amongst the islands in
the Malayan Archipelago, we submitted to remain in ignorance of the Malabar
Coast. Captain Cogan’s survey of the coast in 1828 comprised an examina
tion of Bombay Harbour, and extended as far south as Bankote River,—from
thence to the southward no systematic or trustworthy survey seems to have
been thought of for the next sixteen years. In 1844, the Palinurus, in charge
of Lieutenant Montriou, was sent on survey southward, and in the course of
this and the following year completed the examination of Kari Pultun, or
Viziadroog,* and Tiracoll Rivers and Harbours ; Algoada Roads, the Coast
from Malwanto Algoada, with the Burnt Islands or Vingorla Rocks. In 1846,
a small cutter was added to the survey establishment, and operations carried
on along the shores of Malabar and Canara, Cawar, or Sudasheoghur Bay
and River ; the anchorages off Mergui, with part of the river Onore Manga
lore, with the coast line from Mount Dilly to the Beypoor River; Ayadeva
Island, with the coast adjoining, with the entrance to the principal rivers from
Algoada to Beypoor River.
From betwixt 100 and 150 miles to seaward all are towards the shore, the
banks shoal so regularly and suddenly, and form such admirable guides to the
mariner, who may track his way by the sounding line alone. On this duty
Lieutenant Selby was employed betwixt the years 1849, 1850 and 1851. His
survey extended from Diu, on the Kattiawar Coast, to Vingorla, or a longi
tudinal distance of 330 miles, his soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. covering an area of 40,000 square
miles. The matter will be found discussed in one of the lectures given be
fore the Society. Although not bearing very directly, perhaps, on the in
terests of navigation, few things would be more desirable than a sectional sur
vey of the Arabian Sea from Bombay across to Aden, giving us deep sea
soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. every half degree or so ; with a parallel set from Ceylon to Zanzi
bar. The method of accomplishing this resorted to in America so fully sup
plies our difficulties, that the work does not appear at all to exceed what the
lesser vessels and younger Officers of the Indian Navy might accomplish in
their leisure time.
Having thus concluded a cursory notice of Marine Surveys, the Review of
Geographical enquiries in India would be incomplete without a short outline
of one of the greatest geodistical operations recorded in history.
The Great Trigonometrical Survey in India. —The survey was
recommended by the Marquis of Wellesley and his illustrious brother. It
* a survey of Viziudroog Harbour had been made by Lieutenant Domeniohetti. An extract
from his report was published, by order of Government, in June 1819, and is republished in the
Asiatic Journal of the following year (1820, Vol IX. p. 123). I can find no other trace of his
survey—his charts and diagram seems to have been lost. A memoir of a position of Captain
Montriou’s operations appears in our Journal for 1846, Yol VIJI.