The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

152
CHAPTEE III.
WEST COAST OF STJMATRA AND OFF-LYING ISLANDS.
Variation 2° 15' E. in 1886.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.—The western coast of Sumatra is
mountainous, and in many parts the ranges which traverse the islands from
one extremity to the other approach near the coast, leaving between their
bases and the sea a narrow plain which is broader in the northern half
than in the southern.
This coast was cursorily surveyed in 1833 by Mr. Endicott, and in 1834
by Mr. Gillis, and from their charts and remarks, Horsburgh's sailing
directions, as well as recent Dutch survey of small and isolated portions,
these directions have been drawn up. Much caution is necessary when
navigating this coast ; a good look out should be kept aloft when in the
vicinity of the shore ; and as there are probably many shoals, yet unknown,
too much confidence must not be placed in the charts.*
CajUtioH.—Vessels visiting places on the west coast of Sumatra, and
many other outlying places in the China seas should be on their guard
against being surprised by the natives, and never allow armed parties to
come on board, nor unarmed ones in any number.|
WINDS and WEATHER.~On the west coast of Sumatra the
winds are subject to great irregularities, owing probably to the meeting
of the !N.W. and S.W. monsoons with the S.E. trade, also to the nume-
rous islands in the vicinity, and also to the two extremities of the island
being far distant on either side of the equator. The same winds therefore
do not prevail along the whole of the coast. Thus from October to April,
whilst the north part of the coast enjoys fine weather with variable winds,
N.W. winds with rain and squally weather prevail on the south part ; and
in the opposite season, when the S.E. trade is blowing on the south part of
the coast, N.W. winds prevail with squalls and rain, close to the coast in
north latitude.
North of the Equator.—From October to April the winds are
variable with land and sea breezes and fair weather.
From May to September, the period of the S.W. monsoon in the bay of
Bengal, the winds inshore of the outlying islands are from N.W., light
with calms, rain, and bad weather. N.W. winds cause a considerable sea
in many of the roadsteads. Gales are of rare occurrence, and seldom blow
* For the descrip;ion of Sumatra island, see page 10.
t The crew of the S.S. Holt Canton ivere overpowered by the natives, when at anchor
off Rlgas, iu Jane 1886, and most of the Europeans murdered. '' Shipping Gazette/'
24th August 1886.