The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. II.] TREE ISLAND.—MID-CHANNEL REEI". 97
Between tlio south-east side of Red island and the reef extending from
Long island, is a channel about a third of a mile broad, with 8 to 17 fathoms
water in it.
Round island, or Tekong Kechil, is a small but elevated
island, lying half a mile south-east of Long island. It is surrounded by
reefs to the distance of a quarter of a mile.
Long island and Round island are also known as the Brothers, both
being covered with trees.
Between Long island and Round island reefs, is a narrow channel, close
to the south end of the former, with 11 to 13 fathoms water.
Phillip channel is formed between Long and Round islands to the
north-westward, and the numerous islands fronting Battam and Bulang
islands to the south-eastward. It appears to be free from danger, with
good anchorage, and is a short route for vessels proceeding to or from
Singapore, through Durlan strait. See. directions, page 458.
Cap island, so named from its appearance, is situated at the south
entrance to PhiUip channel, 3f miles southward of Round island, and 2
miles westward from Steep cape. Cap island is a rock about 40 feet in
height, with a flat top and perpendicular sides, surrounded by a reef to the
distance of about 300 yards, near to which the depths are from 5 to 9
fathoms.
Mid-Ch.annel reef, situated nearly midway between Cap island,
and Steep cape the north-west extreme of Bulang island, is about three-
quarters of a mile long north and south, and 1^ cables broad; there is a
depth of 12 fathoms between Cap island and the reef, and 6 to IS fathoms
between the reef and Steep cape.
The Coast.—That psrt of the southern side of Singapore strait
between Phillip channel, and the Sambo islands, a distance of 8 miles to
the north-eastward, is formed of numerous islands lying on each side of the
entrance of Salat Batu Hadji, which separates the islands of the Bulang
archipelago, from Pulo Battam.
The north-west coast of Battam comprises the islands and coast extend-
ing from the entrance of Salat Batu Hadji, in a north-east direction to
Tanjong Pingi a distance of 3 miles. Prom Tanjong Pingi the coast
on the west side recedes south-south-eastward, forming a deep bay 1^ miles
wide at the entrance, which, however, with the exception of a channel a
quarter of a mile wide close to the point, is blocked by coral reefs. Tree
island, at the entrance of this bay, is a third of a mile in extent, and stands
on the edge of the reef which fronts the islets and coast from High point,
at the entrance of Salat Batu Hadji.
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