tention was again directed to the subject, the experiments ordered to be renewed, and 5,000 rupees granted for this object; with the farther assistance of stores from the arsenal, a party of Sappers and Miners, and 50 convicts: and I was directed to superintend the work, which is now in active progress, and promises to be successful, as far as the sum allowed can be expected to go; and it is now almost certain that a 12 feet channel can, and will, be obtained at this point, the gulf of Manar having only this depth for a considerable distance.
The following Journal details the operations when I was at Pamban:
Journal—Feb. 1st 1837.—Embarked on board the native brig Agamud Buksh, with 3 Serjeants, 1 havildar, 1 private of the sappers, and the stores destined for the experiments at Pamban.
2d.—Anchored at Pondicherry, as there were a great number of passengers for that place, with some cargo, which was engaged to be landed by the evening. Leaving the party on board in charge of the stores, I landed for the purpose of examining the light-house, which I obtained permission to do and take any observation required. It is a plain, but neat, structure, 90 French feet above the level of the sea; the lights fixed, and of good description. It is altogether well adapted for the purpose, but requires a little more ventilation, as the light appears to become dim after some hours burning.
3d.—Embarked at 7 a. m., and soon after weighed anchor.
4th.—At day light off Negapaiam, and in the evening took our departure from point Colymere. I directed the Serjeant of the watch to see the lead cast every half hour. The first sounding was 5 fathoms, which soon increased to 6, at which it continued for about 15 miles; then to 7, which held till one in the morning, at which time I made the tindal anchor. As we could not be far from land, if the current was as strong as is generally supposed, we came to in 7 fathoms; bottom a strong blue clay, unmixed with either sand or coral. On trial found no current whatever, and the next morning a piece of timber, thrown over during the night, was still near the vessel. Ascertained the latitude by the meridian altitude of a star, and found we were 17 miles from land.
5th.—Weighed at day light, and at 10 a. m. were 3 miles from Pamban. The soundings now rapidly decreased to 5, 4, and 3 fathoms; I called on the tindal to anchor, which he did; in swinging round the vessel struck violently, and I found we had only 114 fathoms at the stern. The vessel was hauled off in an hour, the weather fortunately being very moderate, and by 2 p. m. the stores were all in boats.
6th.— I inspected the detachment, which, with the party I brought, amounted to 1 second Lieut. C. M. Elliott, 5 Serjeants, 1 jemadar, 6 non-commissioned officers, 82 sappers, 50 convicts, with some peons belonging to the collector of Madura.
