The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

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CHAPTER II. ,
SINGAPORE STEAIT.
Taxation 2° 40' l^ast, in'i886'.,'
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.—Singapore strait is bounded
on the north by the Malay peninsula and Singapore island, and on the
south by the Bulang archipelago, and the large islands pf :Battam and
Bentan. The entire length of the strait is about 60 miles. Its breadth,
at the western entrance between Little Carimon island on the south side
and Tanjong Bulus on the north is about 10 mMes, the main channejl of
the strait, between Coney island and the islands to the southward, is barely
3 miles wide, and the eastern entrance, between Tanjong Brakit on Bentan
island and Eamunia point on the Malay peninsula, is 20 miles broad.*
Owing to the many dangers in Singapore strait, its navigation was
formerly attended with much difficulty and anxiety, but such has ceased
to be the case since, the erection, in 1851, of Eaffles lighthouse upon Coney
island, and Horsburgh on Pedra Branca ro^ikjin the middle of the eastern
entrance. These are well situated, so that with; common attention the
strait can now be navigated either by day or by night, without risk or-
delay.
For the sake of convenient reference it has been thought best, in
describing this strait, to divide it into four portions, viz., Singapore strait,
vrestern piart; Singapore New harbour, town and "road ; Singapore strait,
eastern part ; and Old strait of Singapore. The western part to comprise,
a description of the strait from its western entrance to Singapore road, and
the eastern part, from Singapore road to its ea'steffi Entrance.
WESTERN PART OF smGAPbRE STEAIT.'
SOUTH SHORE.—Tree island, or Pulo Angup, situated
about 10 miles within the westerm entrance .of, Singapore strait, is the
north-westernmost of the islands and .dangers,which extend about 5 miles
* See Admiralty charts :—Singapore _sticait,JS'Q.^,403, scale, m= 0-66 ineh.; Banka
strait to Singapore, No. 2,757, scale, m=0-15 inch; China sea, No. 2,660a, scale,
m^O'Oi inch ; and plan of Singapore Main strait. No. 2,404, scale, »i=l inch.