The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

116 SINGAPORE STRAIT. [chap. n.
Buoys.—The channel on their eastern side is marked by three white
buoys, one near their south-east extreme, one near their middle, and the
other at half a cable inside their north-west end. A white buoy also lies
in 10 feet on Brani shoal, about one cable west of the middle white buoy.
The soundings decrease gradually towards these shoals, and if the lead
be properly attended to, it will show when a vessel is nearing them.
Timbaga rocks, dry at low water springs, and lie between Pagar
docks and Brani shoals ; they are about half a cable long in a north-west
and south-west direction but only a few yards broad. Two red beacons
mark these rocks, one on either extreme.
Timbaga shoal, about half a cable in extent, and with a depth of 9 feet
lies about a cable north-westward of Timbaga rocks, and its north-western
end is marked by a red buoy.
Both of these dangers have depths of 3 to 5 fathoms within a short
distance.
South Chaunel
lies between Brani reef and Brani shoals, it is
about 6 cables long and three-quarters of a mile broad, with depths of 3 to
10 fathoms.
Middle Cliaiinel, between Brani shoals and Timbaga rocks, is
about one cable broad, with depths of 4^ to 8 fathoms.
North. Chanuel, between Timbaga rocks and Pagar docks, is nearly
one cable broad, with depths of 4| to 10 fathoms.
Anchorage.—The general depths in New harbour are from 6 to 8
fathoms, but the bottom is foul, rocky, and very indifferent holding ground.
Staff Commander Richards, R.N., who surveyed this harbour in H.M.S.
Saracen, which vessel remained at anchor there for 3 months, remarks :—
" The holding ground is bad, and great care is necessary to prevent fouling
the anchors ; vessels remaining more than a day should moor." The best
anchorage is considered to be off the Torpedo stores, on Ayer Brani island.
Caution.—Vessels are not permitted to anchor in the fairway of New
harbour, except for such length of time as may be necessary, preparatory
to dropping alongside or moving from the wharves.
TIDES.—It is high water, full and change, at the Peninsular and
Oriental Company's wharf, at 9h. 45m. ; springs rise 10 feet, neaps 7^ feet,
During the north-east monsoon the day tide rises the highest, and in the
south-west moonsoon the night tide. The low water at Singapore is afiected
by a large diurnal inequality, amounting at times to 6 feet. The ordinary
rate of the tide at springs is 2\ knots, but it is much influenced by the
prevailing monsoon, and often runs 4 knots at the springs. At the Pagar
Dock Co. wharf there is a self-registering tide gauge.
The irregularities of the tides are very great, so that no dependence can
be placed on them from one day to another ; for although a tide may rise