The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. III.] PADANG ROAD—BONGAS BAT. 193
towards the maia, and Pulo Pisang Kechil, the depths decrease to 4 and
3 fathoms, hard sand.
Prora the Southward.— ^Vessels approaching Padang from the
southward, with a favourable wind, should make Pulo Nianiok (Muskito)
& low islet with trees from 30 to 50 feet high, with a square tower 26 feet
high on its south-west extreme. The island should not be brought to bear
westward of N. by W. ^ W., to avoid the shoals between it and Pulo
Panyu, nor approached within one mile as reefs extend about 5 cables from
it. Having passed Niamok at about one mile distant, on either side,
course should be shaped to pass the same difctance west of Pulo Merak, and
at about half a mile westward of Pulo Bintangor and Seronda to avoid
Dolphin and Seronda shoals. There is also a narrow and safe passage
eastward of Pulo Bintangor and Pulo Seronda with depths of 20 to 30
fathoms, and which is generally considered the best. Having passed Pulo
Seronda by either channel, it should then be brought to bear South, steer-
ing North for Pulo Pisang Besar lighttibuse, which course will lead about
midway between Marlborough shoal and the 3-fathom shoal lying 1 ^ miles
north-eastward of Pulo Senaro, to Padang road. The general course
by this channel being about North it would not be available with the wind
near N.W.
There is also a straight channel to Padang road, close southward of
Palo Thoren beacon ; between it and the dry rock south-eastward of it.
An apparently safe channel in which the course is about N.E. is lo
make the low islet Pulo Laut, on which there is a beacon, and passing
it on either side theuee steer N.E. ^ E. between Pulo Senaro and thjB
small low islet lying 2^ miles north-west of it, steering for Pisang Besar
light when bearing N.E. by N. To make an East course from seaward to
the road, the channel south of Pandang lighthouse must be taken. A sail-
ing vessel may take either of the routes described which will give her a
leading wind. A good look-out aloft should be kept.
The CORSt, from Padang to the distance of 30 miles southward,
is intersected by numerous bays and inlets, several of which, being pro-
tected from the sea by the islands contiguous to them, form excellent
harbours. The land near the sea is generally of moderate height, and,
farther in the country, more elevated. Mount Talang, 8,330 feet in height,
at about 18 miles from the coast, should be a conspicuous object and a
good landmark when approaching the neighbourhood of Padang in clear
weather.
BONGAS BAY, situated 5 miles south-eastward of Padang road,
is a safe harbour, with 14 or 15 fathoms in the entrance, and from 10 to 6
fathoms inside. Pulo Cassie, a small islet, lies near the middle of the
northern arm of the bay, with a shoal about 3 cables N.N.E. of it. A
shoal is said to lie about the same distance eastward of the islet. In
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