The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

98 SINGAPORE STBAIT.—WESTERN PART. [chap. ii.
Bulang N.W. islands are those outlying this part of the Bulang
archipelago, and, together with Helen Mar reef, lie at the junction of
Singapore strait and Phillip channel.
Ganymede, the largest island, nearly a mile long north-west and
south-east, and half a mile broad, is composed of a number of moderately
elevated hills. Several islets lie off the main island, encircled by reefs.
Little GanymedeS are two small islands half a mile westward of
Ganymede island. They are connected with Ganymede by a reef which
further extends 3 cables westward of them.
Helen Mar reef is the outermost of the dangerous reefs which
lie ofE the north-west end of Bulang. From this reef, which is steep-
to, Round island bears W. by S. f S., distant 3^ miles, and Raffles
lighthouse is just inside the left extremes of Alligator island bearing N.W.
The south peak of Great Carimon in line with Red island W. | S. leads
about half a mile northward of this dangerous shoal ; and Steep cape
bearing S. ^ W., will lead half a mile westward of it.
Two coral ledges, dry at low water and steep to, lie midway
between Ganymede island and Helen Mar reef.
Buflfalo Rock, or Token, 5 feet high, lying well out towards the
fairway of the strait, is of a black colour, about 30 feet long, with depths
of from 12 to 16 fathoms within a short distance. It bears S.W. by S.
distant 4 miles from the south extreme of West St. John ; and E. ^ S.
4J miles from Raffles lighthouse.
Between Buffalo rock and the reef extending south-eastward of Middle
island, the strait is 2^ miles broad.
Barren Island, the outer of the islets on the western side of the
entrance to Salat Batu Hadji, is a mere rock, and bears S.E. f E. distant
1| miles from Buffalo rock.
Close to Barren island are depths of 7 to 11 fathoms, and 12 to 14
fathoms between it and Buffalo rock ; northward of it the soundings are
deep but irregular.
Islets, reefs.—A short distance south-eastward and southward of
Barren island are several similar islets, some of which have reefs extending
off them. The two principal islands are known as High island and Pulu
Urup. Midway between the southern ends of these is the northern part of
another island, about twice as large as High island ; it is surrounded by an
extensive reef, and has two small islets on each side of it. Further to the
southward are many other islets and reefs which, however, are not in the
way of the navigation of Singapore strait.
Close to the reef surrounding the island last mentioned ia- the eastern
end of a large reef which fills up the greater portion of the space between
Pulu Urup and Ganymede island. Near the middle of the southern edge