The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

106 SINGAPOEE STfiAIT. WESTERN PART. [chap. ii.
Pulo Sikukur, about half a mile long, but very narrow, lies nearly
niid-cbannel between West St. John and Blakan Mati islands.
Clearing Marks.—To avoid all the dangers between St. John
islands and Malay point, Peak island must not be brought to the eastward
of S. I E., whilst mount Serapong bears to the northward of W.N.W.
When mount Serapong is to the westward of that bearing, a vessel
may stand on until the western extreme of West St. John island bears
S. by W. 1 W., but no farther.
Blakan Mati island, lies to the southward of the southern part of
Singapore island, from which it is separated by a channel now known as
New harbour. The island is 2 miles long is an east-south-east and
west-north-west direction, and its western end tenninates in a point, but
its eastern extreme is a mile broad. It is fringed by a reef, which from
Berala pointy its north-eastern extreme, projects a quarter of a mile to the
eastward ; this part of the reef is known as Berala spit, and from its outer
part Berala point bears W. | S. ; thence it tends about S. by W. for the
eastern extreme of the island, from which it projects but a short distance.
Off the south point of the island the shore reef extends about three-quarters
of a cable, and about the same distance along its west side ; but a small
detached reef, named Pelawan, about 1 J cables in extent, lies 2 cables from
the west shore of the island, at three-quarters of a mile from its north-west
point.
Forts are being built on the east and west ends of this island, and one
also near its centre.
Mount Serapong, rising to the height of 303 feet near the north-
eastern extreme of Blakan Mati, is conspicuous when appoaching Singapore
roads from the eastward, and will assist a stranger in making out the land,
St. John islands being seen to the southward of it. There are several
other hills of less height than Serapong upon Blakan Mati, but they are
more observable in coming from the westward, when they will be seen
under the higher land of Singapore island.
Over Eimau point, the west extreme of the island, is mount Siloso, 170
feet high, to the eastward of which, and south from Berdaun rock, is mount
Imbeah, 202 feet high, and other hills to the eastward.
BANKS.—In the main channel about midway between Tree island and
Sultan shoal, is the north-western extreme of a bank which extends 3^ miles
in a south-easterly direction, its average breadth being nearly half a mile,
having from 5^ to 9 fathoms and 11 to 16 fathoms close-to. Its southern
extreme lies West, 1^ miles from Coney island.
Close to the south edge of the reef which surrounds Alligator island are
depths of 14 fathoms, but a bank with 7, 8, and 9 fathoms extends about
3 miles from the west side of that island, and parallel with the bank