The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

GHAP. 111.] BENKITLEN. —PTJLO BAY. 203
fathoms. Vessels using .this channel should keep within 2 miles of the
west point of Pulo bay until it bears East, and may then steer for Titus
island or Pulo bay ; the point may be approached within half or three-
quarters of a mile occasionally, in working ; but a reef projects from it
about a third of a mile, with 3 fathoms on its edge, and 13 to 14 fathoms
close to. Asia shoal may be seen by the overfalls on its edges.
Pulo bay, 8 miles to the southward of Benkulen, is an excellent landlocked
harbour, 2 miles in length by one mile in breadth. The entrance at
its north east extreme is about 2 cables wide, with a depth of 3^ fathoms,
and lies between the eastern extreme of the low peninsula forming the
harbour, and the main.
When vessels at anchor in Benkulen road are unable to remain during
strong north-westers, they slip their cables if it is daylight, and run for Pulo
bay. In doing so they should steer to the southward in not less than
12 fathoms, until the entrance of Pulo bay bears eastward of S.E. by E. ^ E.,
to avoid Lampuyang reefs, as they may not be always discernible in
blowing weather, when tlie sea breaks much in the channel. Then, haul
to the eastward for Sillebar river, and the depth will decrease gradually to
8 fathoms as the low sandy entrance point is approached; this point, at low
water, may be rounded close to, and at high water, at the distance of a
cable ; then haul up under the south side of it, and anchor in 7 fathoms,
with the extremity bearing N.N.E., distant from the Crown pepper house
nearly half a mile.
The south side of Pulo bay, near the shore, is shoal and rocky, and there
is a 4-feet shoal on the western side, the only one in the bay. If a vessel
happen to lose all her anchors, she should haul close round the entrance
point, and when well inside, run on shore in the mud, opposite the nearest
tree, having previously prepared the boat with a hawser to make fast to it
Thfe bay, being surrounded with low swampy ground, is unhealthy, and the
water also is bad ; it is, therefore, little frequented.
Vessels driven from their anchorage in the night cannot run for Pulo
bay without the risk of getting on the outer low sandy point, for it will not
be visible, nor is the lead of any assistance, there being 8 fathoms close to,
and the same depths in a direct line to the N.N.W. ; it therefore seems
advisable, if a ,vessel cannot ride it out during the night, to run to sea.
Sillebar River, about one mile north-