The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

WIAP.-III.J SBAPLOWER CHANNEL—PAGI ISLANDS. 216
should keep in mid-cJiaHnel, in from 24 to, 30 fathoms, to avoid, theiro*}^
projecting from the points on each side of the entrance. The best
anchorage is in the south part, with tte sojitb point of the entrance.beai'ing
about N.E., in depths offrom 8 to 14 fathoms. As the plan is but asketchj
the precaution of sounding around the vessel should,be. taken, for in somp
p^rts thepe, are patches of coral rock. These is a brook of fresh watpr at
the north-west part of the,bay.*
Se Labba or Sikityi bay may be known by the Turks Cap hill close
to the southward,, and which is seen from both sides of the island.* The
bay is about one mile square, with reefs, extending from both points of en-
trance, narrowing the channel to about half a mile. There is a large coral
shoal, awash, near the middle of the bay, southward of which the bottpm
is mud, and suitable for anchorage in depths, of from 10 to 20 fathoms.
Supplies,—At either of these three bays, a vessel may be supplied
with wood, water, a few, hogs, yams,, poultry, and cocoa-nuts, by the
people of the few straggling villages on the east side of the island ; but the
west side is said to be destitute of inhabitants.
The W"est Coast of Sipora, is rocky,with some small islands adjoining,
and the sea breaks high upon the shore. Two of these islands, about' 12
miles to the westward of cape Marlborough, lie^close to the shore, and near
each other ; they are low and flat, covered with cocoa-nut trees, and rocky
to seaward.
Sipora Strait.—The channel between the south end of Sipbra and
North Pagi island is about 12 miles broad, and considered to be safe. The
islands are said to be connected by a coral ridge of from 20 to 40 fathoms ;
on this ridge, which lies with Turks Cap in line with cape Marlborough,
bearing N.W. by N., and at about 3 or 4 miles from Sipora, there is a bank of
about 7 fethoms water, which should be avoided as less water may exist.j"
The English vessel Dunleep Singh (1884) found depths of 22 fathoms,
rapidly decreasing to 13 and 7^ fathoms, with the bottom plainly visible,
but the actual positions of these soundings are not given.
PAGI (Pageh) ISLANDS are together about 55 miles in length,
separated by Sikakap strait. Both the islands are high, covered with large
trees, and may be seen in clear weather about 40 miles. The inhabitants
number about 1,500 and are simple and inofiensive. Cocoa-nuts and sago
palm are cultivated. |
North Pagi or North Nassau Island,
is 20 miles long, and
14 miles in breadth.
Simenaju road, situated near the north-east extreme of North
'fagr-islamJ,- iias-depthsfrom 5 to e-fathoms^ -mud^ a,t-»bout-hal£_a
* See Sketch, gfans,.of .Hillock,. Se JJban, and Se Labba bays, No. 866 j scale
m = 1"5 inches,
t See Admiralty chartj—Sumatra west coast, sheet II., No. 2761.