The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. 1.] BERMAN AND SELANGOK RIVERS. 77
SELANGOR RIVER.—The entrance to this river, 40 miles
south-eastward of Berman river, may be recognised by Salangore hill,
situated on the peninsula forming the south side of the entrance ; the hill
is high, conspicuous, covered with trees, and surmounted by a fort. The
coast mud bank extends across the mouth of the river ; its outer edge of
18 feet is about 3 miles westward of the entrance.
Settlement.— ^The magistrate resides in the fort on Salangor hill
and the settlement is at the foot of the hill, about 3 cables within the
south point of entrance. There is a Malay village on the opposite point.
The population of the district is 31,000; the exports are tin, gutta-
percha, gharnwood, ivory, bark, hides, salt fish and rattans ; the imports
are rice, salt, opium, tobacco, tea, and oil. Revenue ;^184,000. Tin is
brought by boats from the mines situated 15 miles up the river, and taken
to Singapore by coasting steamers.
Beacons. — The best channel, with about 15 feet at high-water
springs, is marked by two rows of beacons, one cable apart, surmounted by
baskets, the outer being placed in 2^ fathoms at low water.
Ligllt.—A white light is shown from a small house in the fort, visible
about 3 miles.
Directions. — Vessels entering Selangor river should bring the con-
spicuous tree on the south point of entrance to bear N.E. | E., passing
between the beacons and fishing stakes, aiid rounding the beacon marking
the edge of the bank off the south point, steer for the village, about 3
cables within the point. The holding ground is bad, being very soft
mud.
Selangor river is usually navigable for boats for about 19 miles, and for
steam vessels drawing 8 feet for 14 miles, or as far as Eampong Seear,
but there is little room to swing there.* The bottom is soft mud. There
is no danger in the river for a vessel of that draught, except a mud bank
with 3 feet water, situated about 3 or 4 miles from the entrance, and about
half a mile westward of a clump of attap trees 50 feet high. Close to the
shore on either side of the mud-bank there is deep water. Above Kam-
pong Seear there are several sand-banks.
The river is tortuous in its course, and the deepest water is found on
the concave side. The banks are low throughout, and lined with attap and
mangrove ti-ees.
Tides.—It is high water, full and change, at Selangor river at 5h.
springs rise 15 feet, neaps 12 feet. The flood stream runs five hours, the
ebb seven, at the rate of 5 miles an hour.
* In February 1885, the water in the river was so low that boats were unable to bring
the tin down from the mines. H.M.S. RincUdo, irayring 15 feet, entered the river in
1871, and bombarded the stockades (since destroyed) on both sides of the entrance.