The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

oHAP.HiJ BANJAK ISLANDS AND CHANNELS. 175
situated 'fiearly midway betwixt the island and the main. Although
therfe is a' safe passage inside these shoals by keeping close to the Sumatra
shorfe, yet the channel between Passage island and the shoals has been
usually adopted.
FaSSag6 island channel. ^- in steering for this channel keep
about 9 or 10 mil^s ofE the coast unlU Passage island is seen, then steer
tofw-ardg it, 'observing never to bring it more easterly than S.E., to avoid
getting near the shoals' and irregular sonudin^, extending about 5 miles
to the westward of it.
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Having apjiroached' Passage island within '8 miles, bring it to bear
S.S.E., which will lead westward of the 4^ fathom patch, and when three-
quarters or half a mile ofE the island, alter course to pass about that
distance eastward of it, to avoid the shoals midway between it and
Taaaj&og Paljkala ; the encircling reef of Passage island is dry all round
tothe distance ,of a cable at low water, and projects about a quarter of a
mile, or rather more in some places, but is not visible at high water. By
preserving the distance mentioned the soundings will be tolerably regular,
and the depths never less than 10 or 12 fathoms, mostly rooky bottom.
A good look-out from the masthead is requisite when passing through
this channel, ais the coral shoals may be discerned in clear weather, but the
flat surrounding Passage island cannot be always distinguished. When
through' fee channel, which is about 2 miles in length,' the island must be
kept between the bearings of N.N.W. and N.W. by N., in steering to the
southward, where. a Vessel may anchor if the wind or tide be unfavourable
but' northward of the island do not anchor under 20 fathoms, for the
ground there is rocky under that depth.
Inshore channel.—Within 2 miles of the land in the viciuity of
Tanjong Palikala there are several rocky shoals, having only 2 to 3 fathoms
in some parts, with a safe channel of 8 and 9 fathoms between them and
the Sumatra shore. A vessel may venture within half a mile of the shore
in. some places.; The shoals on the western side of this channel occa-
sionally break.
Ou1;er channels-—There is a channel between Passage island and
Fulo Ujong Batu. Vessels should keep near Pulo Ujong Batu as several
dangerous shoals extends two-thirds of the distance across the channel
fromPassage islands. In approaching from the northward, do not' bring
little Pulo Balambak to bear southward of S. ^E.; even then, if the
water should shoal suddenly, tack immediately, as the shoals are steep to,
The soundings in this channel are irregidar, from 17 or 18 to 33 fathoms,
and it is about 2 miles wide in the narrowest part abreast the eastern side
of Pulo Ujong Batu. In proceeding through this channel, a gqod look-
out should be kept from the masthead.