The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

202 WEST COAST OF SUMATRA. [chap. m.
one by a narrow channel having a; depth of 6 fathoms. The; eastern
shoal is a mile long north and south, and separated from iJie reef fringing
Ujong Karang by a narrow diannel having 6 fathoms water.
Middle Sboal, with a-depth of about 4 fathoms and 8 to 9 fathoms
close to, lies nearly midway between the South breaker and G-usong
Lan-puyang, with the Sugar-loaf bearing about N.E. by N.
G-usong Lampuyang, or Black Bock, about if miles southeastward
of Middle shoal, is generally discernible by the sea breaking
on it; between the rocks and the shore, distant 2 miles, the depths are
8 and 9 fathoms, with the same depth in the channel betwixt it and False
Black Eock, which lies about half a mile West from the other, with
3f fathoms water. These shoals are avoided by keeping in more than
11 fathoms water. Vessels may pass inside of them by keeping in
8 fathoms.
Karang Bayan and Karang Ikan Tandu are two reefs
nearly connected, with depths of 5 and 6 fathoms, bearing from Eat island
between "West and W.N.W., distant 2 or 2^ miles ; between these shoals
and the reef suiTouiiding Eat island there is a passage nearly one mile
wide, with 16 and 17 fathoms water.
Karang Lebar or Asia Sboal, is the southern shoal in Benkulan
road. It is about one mile in extent, with a depth of 4 fathoms, probably
less, coral and sand, and lies about 4 miles westward of the west point of
Pulo bay. There is a heavy ground-swell on it, which sometimes breaks in
bad weather ; it ought therefore to be carefully avoided, more particularly
as it lies much in the way of vessels approaching the road from the south-
ward.
DIRECTIONS.—Approaching Benkulen road by the Northern
channel, Tikus island should not be approached between the bearings of
East and E.S.E., within the distance of 3 miles, to avoid Karang Bayan
and Ikan Taadu. The Sugar-loaf, bearing N.E. ^ E., or eastward of that
bearing, until Tikus island lighthouse bears S.E. leads clear and northward
of them, Avhence course may be taken for the anchorage in the road
according to the season. In working to or from the road by this channel,
a vessel may stand near the edge of Eat island reeft and to 13 fathoms
towards Sungi Lamu rock and the main.
Coming from the westward, the trees on Pulo Tikus will be seen
before the Snga/r-loaf, which- is a conspicuous hill on a nearer approach.
Approaching the road from the southward, a vessel should not bring
Tikus island to the westward of N. ^ W. until within 3 miles of it,
which will lead westward of Asia shoal; then she may steer N.N.E. for
the road, or due East for Pulo bay, if bound there. There is a channel
3. miles wide, eastward of Asia shoal, with general depths of 17 or 18