The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

96 SIKGAPORE STRAIT. ^WESTERN PART. [chap. ii.
in a south-easterly and north-westerly direction, and limit the southern
«ide of Singapore Main strait. The islet, half a mile long in a north-west
and south-east direction, is formed of rocks and sand, very little elevated
above the sea at high water, and with a few mangrove trees.
A stone beacon surmounted by a basket, both painted red, has been
erected on the north-western edge of the reef, which is steep to, and
extends nearly half a mile north-westward from Tree island ; Raffles
lighthouse bears E. ^ N., 5-J- miles from the beacon.*
In passing northward of Tree island, Baffles lighthouse should not be
brought to the northward of East, which bearing will keep a vessel one-
third of a mile northward of the reef.
Kent rocks, between Red and Tree island reefs, lie north-west
and south-east from each other, nearly half a mile apart. From the
southern rock, which is the larger of the two, and has 2^ fathoms at low-
water springs, the east extreme of Long island is in line with the centre
of Red island, bearing S.E. by E., and Raffles lighthouse E.If.E. The
northern rock is about 15 feet in length, with 6 feet water. The position
of these rocks may easily be perceived when the tides run strong, by the
ripplings over them. The depths close to, are 7 to 10 fathoms, deepening
suddenly to 15 and 20 fathoms.
The channel between the south-east rock and the reef surrounding Red
island is one mile wide, with depths of 8 to 13 fathoms; that between the
northern rock and Tree island reef is thi-ee -quarters of a mile wide,
with depths of 12 to 20 fathoms. These rocks, however, render the
passage between Red island and Tree island unsafe, and it ought not to
'be attempted.
Red island, or PulO Falompang, is a mere islet or rock
20 feet high, covered with green trees, with a beach of red sand, lying
2| miles E.S.E. of Tree island. The reef which surrounds Red island,
extends only a short distance on the east side, but projects more than
half a mile on the west side.
Reefs.—Two detached reefs lie in a .south-westerly direction from
Red island, the outer and larger being distant nearly 1^ miles. Raffles
lighthouse in line with the north-west extreme of Long island, leads to the
eastward; Round island bearing E. by N. leads to the southward; and
Tree island, bearing N.N.W., leads to the westward of these reefs.
Long island or Tekong Besar, lis feet high, and lying three-
quarters of a mile south-east of Red island, is similarly surrounded by
reefs, and a small islet lies close to its north shore.
* See Admiralty chart :—SiBgapore Main strait. No. 2,404, scale, m = 1 inch.