The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

80 MALACCA STRAIT.—MALAY COAST. [chap. i.
Prom tlie Southward.—When Parcelar hill bears about E. by N.
the entrance of Klang strait may be easily discerned, the several points
appearing as bluffs, the most southerly of which is Lumaut point with a
large Malay house on it ; the framework for exhibiting the light on the
western point of the strait should also be seen.
The light should.be approached bearing about N.N.E. until the passage
is well open bearing N.E. ^ N., when that course may be steered, keeping
in mid-channel.
The lead is a safe guide foi vessels working through. The directions
from the northward must be reversed for the remainder of the strait.
Caution is required in passing across the entrance to Lumaut strait on
the ebb, on account of the strong tides which set into it ; also in steering
for Klang strait not to get set to the westward of the entrance, as a dry
bank extends in that direction with deep water close to its edge. TJie
best time for entering is near the time of high water.
Tides.—It is high water full and change, in Klang strait at about
4 hours, rise of tide being from 10 to 12 feet.
The tides at springs are rapid and somewhat irregular. The stream
sets to the southward from first quarter flood to first quarter ebb, and to
the northward for the reverse period.
ELANG RIVER.—The entrance of this river is in Klang strait.
Its banks for a distance of 30 or 40 miles in the interior are high and
covered with mangroves and various sorts of palms. It is from one to
4 cables broad, and free from danger for about 1 1 miles from the entrance,
with a least depth of 6 feet at low water. Vessels drawing 8 feet can
proceed for a distance of 12 miles beyond Klang. The soundings are
irregular.
Iiigllt.—-A- small light is shown from the police station on the south
shore, at the entrance of Klang river.
Klang.—The village of Klang is situated at about 12 miles from the
entrance, and defended by a fort on a hill. A spit extends about 20
yards ofE the pier, below the fort at Klang, narrowing the channel to about
80 yards. There ai-e about 20,000 Chinese in the interior working the
tin mines, the tin being brought down in boats, which take a return cargo
of rice. Supplies are scarce.
Kwala Limpor the capital of Selangor is 25 miles from Klang. Steam
launches run from Klang to Dama-sara, 16 miles up the river, whence the
distance by road to the capital is 16 miles. A railway is under construction
to connect the two places,*
Lieutenant H. Belam, R.N., 188.5.