The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAr. II.] TIDES.—DIRECTIONS. 109
the strait, shape course E.N.E. to pass northward of Horsburgh light, and
proceed as directed at page 143.
In. working through between St. John islands and Eafl3es light-
house, it is usual to keep on the north side of the channel, making short
tacks if necessary, as that part of the strait affords tolerably convenient
anchorage along the greater portion of it, and vessels are liable to meet
with light baffling airs which would render it necessary to anchor. It is
especially requisite to attend to this when eastward of Buflfalo rock, for on
that part of the south side of the strait the water is deep, and the bottom
Tocky and unsafe for anchoring, the danger being much increased by rapid
currents and tides with violent eddies and overfalls.
All danger on the north side of this part of the channel will be avoided
if the south extreme of St. John islands be not brought eastward of
N.E. by E. i E., or Eaffles lighthouse southward of S.W. by W. | W.,but
these bearings more particularly apply to the rock now marked by a
beacon, which lies S.E. by E. from Middle island. While to the westward
of the rock, vessels may stand to the northward until the south end of
St. John bears E.]S'.E. ; and eastward of the rock, between Middle island
and the Sisters, as far as E. by N., observing that Pulo Jong open west-
ward or eastward of Middle island, clears the rock.
When approaching Buflfalo rock from the westward, until Middle island
bears N. by W. | W., the vessel will be westward of the rock, and in day-
light may stand to the southward, if necessary, until Eed island bears
W. 4 S., whic*h clears Helen Mar reef, but it is better to keep over towards
the lighthouse. When Middle island bears N. by W. ^ W. be careful to
keep Eaffles lighthouse to the southward of W. \ S., until eastward of
Buffalo rock.
To proceed from Singapore road or from the eastward,
through the western part of Singapore strait,
steer to pass the south point of St. John islands as close as prudence and
the wind may permit, and then about S.W. by W. ^ W. to round the
Eabbit and Coney. It is better to keep near the north side of the channel
in this track. The south end of St. John bearing N.E. by E. I E., or
Eaffles lighthouse S.W, by W. | W., leads clear of danger, and either of
these are safe bearings to lead along the north side of the channel until
Eaffles lighthouse is approached, which may be rounded at the distance of
2 or 3 cables, if the wind be northerly.
After rounding the lighthouse, steer W.N.W. to pass between Tree
island and Sultan shoal; the lighthouse kept between the bearings of E. by
S. and E.S.E. will lead in a good fairway course, but it must not be brought
at all to the northward of East to avoid Tree island reef, or to the south-
ward of S.E. by E. or, if at night, the bright light must not be lost sight