The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

200 WEST COAST OP SUMATRA. [chap. hi.
Siabung or Buffel point at about
'7 miles to the southward, forming on
either side of the town a large bay. The usual anchorage is between the
town and Pulu Tikus, in about 12 fathoms, at about 2 miles N.N.E. ^ E.
from the island. Under that depth the bottom is generally rocky, and
also farther out it is foul in places. Close to the entrance of Tikus island
basin, and fronting it to the distance of one mile north-eastward, the
bottom is mostly soft, and where vessels in the southerly monsoon may
anchor in 13|- or 14 fathoms under shelter of the reef.
When N.W. winds, which prevail from September to March, blow
strong, a heavy sea sometimes rolls into the road, which necessitates weigh-
ing or slipping the cables and running for Pulo bay in the south part of
road, and hereafter described.
In this season, vessels that do not go into Pulo bay, or Tikus island
basin, should anchor eastward and within a mile of Tikus light-house, in
about 15 fathoms, where the sea will be partly broken by the reef. The
same business may be done from this position in favourable weather as if a
vessel were in the usual anchorage in the road ; for sailing boats, passing
to and from the town, are confiued to one trip in 24 hours by the land
and sea breezes.
"Weatlier Signal.—A blue flag is hoisted on the iron standard of
the harbour light at the town, whenever it is dangerous for boats to go in
or out.
Inner road.—The inner road, with 4 and 4^ fathoms water, lies
north-westward of the fort, and inside Patah Sambilan reefs ; it is some-
times frequented by small vessels in the fair season, for the convenience
of loading and unloading. Vessels or boats should not venture inside
without a pilot as the North and South breakers are not always visible
when the sea is smooth ; then a high surge is only at times seen to roll
over the rocks, which would prove fatal to any boat that unfortunately
got into it.
Close outside Patah Sambilan, the North and South breakers, there are
depths of 7 and 8 fathoms, and 6 fathoms inside of them. Nearly abreast
the fort, a little outside the landing-place, there is a patch of 3^ fathoms,
at a short distance from the edge of the shore reef, which extends about
3 cables off shore. The landing-place is protected from the sea by a rocky
ledge fronting it at a distance of 150 yards : bosits pass round the eastern
point of this ledge, and then haul in to the southward for the wharf, which is
about 60 feet long, with a depth alongside of about 3 feet at low water.
Buoys.—A red buoy, with staif and cage, marks the north extreme of
the North breaker, but it is not to be depended on ; also an Iron mooring
buoy lies in the inner road in 5^ fathoms, for the use of boats warping in
and out.