The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

164 WEST COAST OP SUMATRA. [chap. m.
one mile in length and a third of a mile in breadth. Though Rigas bay is
4 or 5 miles in circumference this is the only safe anchorage it contains,
nearly the whole of the remainder is covered with coral reefs which are
dry in many places at low water. Inside Pulo Rusum, between the reefs
which join that island and those extending from Pulo Pogase, there is a
clear space with 3^ and 4 fathoms, sand, where there is sufficient room for
a vessel to heave down, and where the water is always smooth. By buoy-
ing the channel a vessel could easily be warped between Pulo Eusum and
Pulo Engang ; there is also a passage round the north side of Rusum, but
.more difficult of access. In an easterly direction from Batu Tutung point
is a small cove where a vessel might perhaps heave down to the rocks on
the shore.
Town.—The town of Rigas on the north-west side of Rigas bay, is a
considerable pepper port.
Directions.—Anchorage.—A. vessel bound to Rigas should pass
between Pasier Besar and Pulo Rangas. The entrance to the harbour is
between Pulo Rusum and Selung point, passing about one cable from the
point which is steep-to, with the south extreme of Pulo Samete N.N.E. | E.,
to avoid the rock north-west of the point, distant about 3 cables. From
abreast the point course may be altered to about I^ cables off Batu Tutung,
where there is anchorage in about 5 fathoms, with Tanjong Batu Tutung
S.E.
Between Pulo Engang and Pulo Samete there is a line of coral
i-eefs, dry in some places at low water, which forms the north-west
.boundary of the anchorage. A vessel in Rigas harbour is nearly land-
locked ; it is considered to be one of the best on the coast, but is well
known to be one of the most unhealthy.
For the latter reason it is advisable for a vessel waiting to load pepper
or other produce to anchor in a clear space eastward of Rusum rock in
9 fathoms, where the bottom is dark green sand, or sand and mud, at about
1| miles from Rigas (and no farther off the town than from the anchorage
in the harbour), with the rocks on Rigas point just touching the inner
ipoint of Pejabah Besar. Pejabah Besar may be known by its being the
first island which will come in line with Rigas point after shutting in Pulo
Epu Rahnu, and by a clump of trees on the inner extremity ; the rest of
the island appears low and level. A vessel in this berth appears to be
very near Rusum rock, but she swings in that direction only with the land
wind. Vessels should moor with a good scope of cable, else the currents and
variable winds will soon cause the vessel to foul her anchor. From October
to April the heavy anchor should be placed to the southward and the
•stream to the north-west ; and the reverse after April has commenced as
N.W. winds are then expected.