The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

70 MALACCA STRAIT.—MALAY COAST. [chap. i.
the north extremity of the tongue trending nearly parallel to the adjacent
shore of Great Binding, at distance of 4 or 5 cables. The depths on the
western edge of the bank vary from 3 to 1 5 feet, mud.
Anchorage.—Abreast of port Pangkor there is secure anchorage
for vessels of large draught, and sufficient space for several vessels to moor.
A good berth is with the mouth of Sungi Penang bearing W.l^. W., distant
3. cables, in 8 fathoms, mud, and the same distance from the edge of East
bank. The usual anchorage is off the police station, where there is a
landing place just southward of it.
Bathing is unsafe on account of numerous alligators.
Tides.— It is high water, full and change, in Binding channel at
3h. 15m. ; springs rise 9 feet, neaps 3 feet. The flood stream in the
north entrance sets fairly through the channel. In Binding channel and
south entrance the ebb sets N.N.E., and flood S.S.W., at the rate of
2 to 3 knots at springs. In Binding river both the flood and ebb set
at the rate of 3J knots at springs, and 2 knots at neaps.
South-westward of Great Binding the flood sets S.E., and ebb N.W.,
and through the narrow passage between Pulo Pangkor Laut and Great
Binding at the rate of 2 to 3^ knots at springs.
DIRECTIONS.—North Entrance.—The North entrance is
not recommended for vessels of more than 12 feet draught, for although
the channel is buoyed, and there is not less than 4 fathoms, yet the passage
is narrow, being only 2 cables wide in the narrow parts. As buoys may
be out of position, the eye is the surest guide, when the sun is in a favour-
able position for showing up the shoals ; due attention should be paid to
the speed of the vessel and to the set of the tide. The saving in distance
is only about 5 miles to vessels coming from the northward.
Approaching from this direction, the north peak of Great Binding
should not be brought to bear southward of S.E., which leads well to the
westward of North bank. North-west islet wiU be sighted ahead on this
bearing, and passing it on the starboard hand at one cable distant, steer
to pass half a cable northward of Off-lying rock, and between it and the
buoy on North bank ; then bring the summit of North-west islet midway
between Off-lying rock and North point. This mark astern will lead
one cable north of Bower patch, marked by a buoy, and one cable south
of North bank. When Scorpion point bears S.W., or being abreast of
the white buoy at south-east end of North bank, alter course to pass about
] ^ cables eastward of Table rock, and thence, preserving the same distance
from the island, to the anchorage recommended off port Pangkor.
If bound to Binding river, still keep North-west islet midway between
North point and Off-lying islet, and when Scorpion point bears S.W.
sheer a little to the southward to give the south-east extreme of North