The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

198 WEST COAST 01" SUMATRA. [ohap. ni.
In the daytime, with, a good look-out, most of the dangers will be
visible; at night, a vessel should keep well outside all the islets.
Moko Moko, in about lat. 2° 34^' S. and 28 miles south-eastward
of Indrapura point, lies in a small bay, and was once an English settle-
ment ; it is a place of some trade. The two points that form the bay
are covered with tall trees, and about 12 or 15 miles north-westward a
remarkable gap in the trees may be discerned. Approaching Moko Moko
from the northward, the position of the doubtful shoal, referred to in the
foot note, and which is about 6 miles off shore, should be passed with
caution, keeping within 3 or 4 miles of the shore. When the houses and
flagstaff at Moko Moko village are seen they may be steered for, anchoring
in 10 fathoms, soft ground, with the flagstaff bearing E. by N. distant
2^ or 3 miles, and Moko Moko peak, which is remarkable, N.E. | N.
Small vessels may, if requisite, anchor closer in.
Surf.—The native boats must be employed in landing, on account of
the surf. The coast in the neighbourhood is a sandy beach on to which a
heavy swell is generally sent, as is usually the case on most parts
south of the equator.
A shoal extends from Moko Moko, to the distance of 7 iniles, southward,
ahdto afeout 1^ miles off shore.*
Ayer Dikkit, about lO miles southward of Moko Moko, and a little
southward of a bluff point covered with trees, may be recognized by the
denseness of the trees on each side of the mouth of the river. The bar of
the river is dangerous and unnavigable, even for boats. There is anchorage
off its mouth in 8 or 10 fathoms.
Bantall River,
is 7 miles south-eastward of Ayer Dikkit, and may
be known by two white cliffs a little to the northward, appearing from the
offing- like boats under sail.
The best anchorage in the road is in 8 or 9 fathoms, ooze and sandy
bottom, with the white cliffs l^.N-.E., and the river N.E.
Between Bantall and Ipu are three rivers, Tramang, Ayer Itam, and
Tramang, the northernmost, has a small red cliff on the north
Ayer Euta ;
side of the entrance :
the coast, embracing those rivers, may be approached
to 12 or 14 fathoms regular soundings in most places.
Ipu, in lat. 2° 59' S., may be known by three red cliffs to the south-
ward, and three green hills near the sea. Large vessels may anchor in 9
or 10 fathoms, with the central cliff bearing N.E. by E.; here the road is
tolerably clear ; further in the bottom is foul. The coast southward of
* There is said to be a bank of rocks and sand, having 2^ or 3 fathoms -water on the
shoalest part, at about 10 or 12 miles W.N.W. from Moko Moko. Horsburgh.
A shoal, the existence of which is also doubtful, lies S.W. by W., distant 7 or 8 miles
from Moko Moko.
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