The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. Ill,] BATU ISLANDS—SIBERUT STRAIT. 211
Southward of Pulo Pinie and nearly midway in the channel between it
and Tanah Masa, is a reef on which the Netherlands India SSiGraqf van
Bijlandt struck an 1885 ,•
it is reported to lie about 2\ miles southward of
Pasakie islands, with Easakie Besar beaiing N. by E., and Pasakie Kechil
N.N.W. f W. As other shoals yet jincharted are reported to exist . in
'this {Channel, caution must be exercised when navigating it.
Tauah. Balah., is the southern large islet of the Batu.groupi It is
thickly woodedj attains a height of from 600 ,to 700 feet, and forms the
north side of Siberut strait.
SIBERUT STRAIT, between Tanah Balah and Siberiit island
is 26 miles wide, and the passage usually about taken by steamers running
between Achi and Batavia vid PadaUg. Sailing vessels have hitherto
chosen the Seaflower channel, southward of Siberut island, said to be free
from danger, but in which there is no alichorage ground. Since the
survey of Siberut strait in 1877, and the establishment of a light on Pulo
Bojo,-as well as the safe anchorage afforded in the southern portion of the
strait, more particularly in the N.W. or fair monsoon period (November to
May), most vessels will find it to their advantage to use it in preference
to any other.*
LIGHT.—On Pulo Bojo, from a white lighthouse 197 feet high,
erected on the south-west side of the island, is exhibited at an elevation of
360 feet above the sea, &flashing white light, showing two flashes in quick
succession every half minute, visible in clear weather between the bearings
of S. by W. I W. (through west and north) and E. by S. f S., from
a distance of 27 miles.
Tides.—It is high water, full and change, in Siberut strait during the
N.W. monsoon period at 7h. 30m., springs rise 2\ feet. The flood runs
to E.N.E., at times from 2 to 3 knots, but is sometimes stopped altogether
and even reversed by the westerly current which runs at this season. The
ebb, increased by this current, is said to vary from 3 to 6 knots. On the
east coast of Siberut, the flood runs to the southward and the ebb to the
northwards
Winds.—From November to May, when the N.W. monsoon prevails
south of the equator, the weather is fine in Siberut strait, with cool westerly
winds. During the day the wind is mostly fresh from N.W., shifting towards
evening to S.W. and south. Over the coast of Sumatra, lightning with
squally weather is seen towards night, but it does not extend off to
Siberut. On that coast at this season, the N.W. monsoon is seldom felt
northward of Kroe (5° S.) but land and sea breezes prevail with fine
weather, and sometimes rain at night.
* See Admiralty chart :—Sumatra west coast, sheet I., No. 2,760.
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