The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CH.VP. II.] WATER ISLAND.—BAMUNIA ISLANDS. 137
Close southward of Tanjong Fungi is the small islet, Pulo Pungi, lying
off the entrance of Pungi river. About 4^ miles N. by W. from Tanjong
Pungi is Sitajam point, which bears about West from the northern edge of
North patch, the outermost of the shoal patches which ex.tend from
Ramunia shoals.
A shallow bank fronts the whole of the coast from the point situated
half a mile northward of Bamunia point, to Sitajam point, projecting
about midway a distance of 1^ miles from the shore. Off Pungi point
it extends about a third of a mile, and off Sitajam point three-quarters
of a mile.
Except near that part of this bank extending from abreast North rock
to a mile nearly north of it, and which shoals suddenly under a depth of
9 or 8 fathoms, the bank may be approached by the lead, as the deptlis
decrease regularly from 10 to 6 fathoms.
The country abounds with various kinds of timber, wild elephants,
buffaloes, mooae-deer, hogs, guanas, monkeys, and peacocks ; oysters will
also be found upon the rocks ; but this part of the Malay peninsula is not
inhabited. Near Romynia river there is a considerable extent of forest,
which being without much underwood is easily penetrated ; but in other
parts the woods are generally impervious.
RAMUNIA ISLANDS comprise six islets or rocks which,
together with many dangers around and amongst them, front Kamunia
point ; they extend nearly 2 miles in a N. by E. and S. by W. direction.*
Large Island, the westernmost and largest of the islands, lies half
a mile E.S.E. from Eamunia point ; it is barely a cable in extent, but is
conspicuous from being covered with trees. An islet, or rock, one-third
the size, lies about a cable north-eastward of it, both being situated towards
the southern part of a reef which extends 3 cables northward of Large
island, but a much less distance in other directions.
South. Island
lies 4 cables east-south-eastward from Large island
it is small, covered with trees^ and therefore easily discerned. There is a
rock, about 12 feet high, near the south point of South island, and a reef
of straggling rocks extending to the eastward, which are bold to approach
on the south side.
Peak Rock, a remarkable barren rock, easily recognised, lies 6 cables
eastward of Large island. A rock awash lies close to the north-eastward of it.
North. Island, very small but covered witji trees, lies N.W. by N.
6 cables from Peak rock : shoal water extends 3 cables to the northward of it.
* These islands and dangers have not been thoroughly examined. The survey of
the ncighbourliood was commenced in H.M.S. Rifleman, 18ti8, and after a few days had
to be discontinued for more urgent work. Most of the descriptions here given are from
the survey of Mr. Thomson, formerly Government Surveyor at Singapore, and from
Jlorsb'argh's Directory.