The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. 11.] DIKECTIONS.—OLD STRAIT. 149
Having crossed the banks, the S. ^ W. course should be continued to
avoid getting too near Congaltou Skar. Vessels should be careful not to
bring the east extreme of Tanjong Punji to the northward of N.N.W. ^ W.
until Peak rock is open northward of Large island. The vessel will then
be to the southward of Congalton Skar, and may steer S.W., until
Tanjong Stapah comes open of South point, when she will be to the
southward of all the dangers near Ramunia islands, and may steer W. by S.,
through Singapore strait.
In "Working through, the southern part of North channel, Horsburgh
lighthouse should not be brought to the southward of S.E. ^ S.
when standing towards the south-west extreme of Ramunia shoals ; nor to
the eastward of S.E. by E. ^ E. when standing towards Congalton Skar or
Jones reef. The soundings are not to be depended upon to guide a
vessel when near these dangers for the bottom is irregular, and the shoals
are steep-to.
The Inner channel, between Ramunia point and the islands,
cannot be considered safe, and we refrain from giving any directions which
might have the effect of tempting vessels to u.se it. But it is of no great
importance, as vessels can proceed more easily and safely by North channel.
OLD STRAIT OF SINGAPORE OR SALAT TEBRAU
(TAMBROH).
This strait not being now used in proceeding to or from China, the
approaches only have been mentioned in describing the northern shores
of Singapore strait ; the following brief description will however be
useful to vessels trading to ports in the Old strait ; these are said to
enter and leave by the eastern or Johore channel only, but the services q£.
a pilot are necessary.*
Vessels load granite at Pulo Ubin, and timber at New Johore.
Old Strait of Singapore, the channel between the northern-
shores of Singapore island and the Malay peninsula, was formerly the
passage by which all vessels proceeded between India and China, when
the strait at present in use was not known to be navigable. Its western
entrance has very much filled up, even since Horsburgh's time ; he
gives 3^ fathoms as the least water, but the Admiralty chart (1878) shows
a bar of sand, with but 2 fathoms water, stretching across from Tanjong
Gul to Tanjong Bulus.f
* See Admiralty charts :—Singapore strait, No. 2,403 ; scale, m = 0- 66 of an inch
and plan of Sirang6n harhour, and Johore channel, No. 1,734 ; scale, »!=2 inches,
f This depth was corroborated hy H.M.S. Fly in 1883, see footnote, page 151.