The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP, m.] GUNONG OPHIR.—TIKO ISLANDS. 187
TIKO ISLANDS, distant 9 miles south-eastward of Ujong
Masang, are three in number, extending in a south-west direction from
Tiko. They are small and woody, about three-quarters of a mile apart,
and the innermost is a quarter of a mile from Tiko village on the main.*
Between Pulo Tapies and Pulo Tengah, the inner and middle islands,
there is a channel on either side of Kassi, a small coral bank, about one
cable in diameter, situated midway between the islands, and steep-to all
round. Between the coral bank and the middle islet there is a depth of
7 to 9 fathoms, but a one fathom patch lies 2 cables north of that islet.
North of the coral bank the depth is 6 to 7 fathoms, soft bottom, with a
patch of 2 fathoms near the edge of the shoal extendmg 2i cables from the
north islet.
Between Pulo Tengah and the outer islet there is a chapnel on either
side of a reef which always breaks, to which a proper berth must be given.
Auchorage.—Vessels sometimes run under these islands for shelter
from N.W. winds. There is a depth of 3 to 3^ fathoms at 2 cables
eastward of Pulo Tapies or inner islet j and 7 to 8 fathoms the same
distance eastward of Pulo Tengah or middle islet.
Directions.—In approaching Tiko road, the outer islet should be
approached bearing about East, or southward of that bearing, passing
within one mile of its west and south sides, where there are depths of
from 15 to 17 fathoms, to avoid the numerous shoals lying from 3 to 15
miles south and south-westward of it, over some of which the swell may be
seen to roll if there be any sea.
COAST.—Directions.—^Pulo Kasi, situated about 14 miles south-
east of Tiko islands, is small, covered with trees, with a sandy beach, and
distant about 2 miles from the main. Rocks extend in places to the
distance of one or two cables from the beach. The coast between it and
Tiko islands is hilly. The passage from Tiko to the southward, inside the
principal shoals, is generally considered the best, by keeping in from 16 to
] fathoms, and the coast is safe to approach to 6 or 7 fathoms in many
places. Some navigators state that there are no shoals in depths under 16
fathoms on this part of the coast ; others assert that some shoals are
situated near it in 5 or 6 fathoms. The bfest guide, therefore, is, after
leaving Tiko islands, to keep in from 16 to 10 fathoms, soft ground; for
the bottom is all soft, except near the shoals.
Earang Durian.—South-westward of Pulo Kasi are several isolated
reefs which break in bad weather, with deep water between ; the nearest
to the island is distant 1| miles. Karang Durian, the outer reef, lies
with Pulo Kasi bearing N,E. by B. ^ E. distant about 4 miles.
* Hee plan of Tiko road, scale, m = 1 J inches on Admiralty chart, No. 2,760.