The latter, Nimrod Sound, seems to hare commended itself as being the most suitable for the put establishing a Naval base; for nie the past three months an active surrey has been made of the portion decided upon, and is still being vigorously pursued by the officers attached to the Chinese cruiser Hueshing, assisted by one or two foreign experts. Nimrod Sound is one of the finest inlets on the coast of Chekiang, if not on the be whole coast of Chins. It is situated south of Ningpo, and south of Chusan Islund.
Geographically its position is Lat. 29° 37' 42" North, and Long. 121°.50' 6" East.
Its entrance is about four nautical miles wide, and it extends inward some thirteen nautical miles. Ite northern boundaries include portions of the Ningpo and Fenghua hsiens; and its southern boundaries are for the greater part in the Heiangehan bsiep, whilst the head of the sound is in the Ning hai hsien. The cities of Heiangshan and Ninghsi are both within a few miles of the waters of the Sound. Nimrod Sound is not unknown to the navies of Western nations, as during the past few years, especially, many of the ships of the British, American and German Navies have sailed its waters, That vessels of a big draught can safely the Sound will be recognized when it is stated that the First Bismarckhasbeen among the visiting ships.
The Chinese, however, have selected portion of the sound which is comely little known to foreigners known as Medusa Creek, and ated some seven or eight nautical miles from the entrance, and some little distance above Middle Islands.
Creek is a fine stretch of water situated on the south shore of the sound in the Heiangshan territory. It affords a safe and protected anchorage, unseen by vessels passing up the sonnd.
'The term 'Creek' for the major portion el It is fally one mile wide in its narrowest part; its head being several miles wi Pid, howerer, only, cored wise water, apart from channels, at full tide. it is known that of some three miles in length with an average of about six fathoms of water at low tide, then the possibilities of this harbour for Naval purposes will be realized; for above this three miles stretch is plenty of room, and sufficient depth of water for smaller craft such @ gunboats, torpedoboat-destroyers, ete. The survey, 0 far as it has proceeded, indicates that experts were at work, and that this important Imperial undertaking was to be carried out in a very efficient manner.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.