The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. III.] SIKAKAP STRAIT—SANDION ISLAND. 217
The trees in Sikakap strait are cut into planks by the natives for the
Padang and Beakuleu markets. These also make good spars, and are
more conveniently obtained than in most places in these seas, the natives
afEording every assistance.
South Pagi or South Nassau Island, is about 37 miles
long and 10 miles broad. Several small islands lie near the western
and south-east sides. The sea coast of Pagi islands, in several places
where the land is low, abounds with cocoa-nuts ; some small spots have
been planted with pepper-vines.
Belabuan Ju, or S.E. harbour, is formed by four small islands lying
ofE the south-east coast of South Pagi, and is the only sheltered anchorage
on this coast.* It is about 2 miles square, with depths of 6 to 14 fathoms.
A reef extends nearly one mile from the main, at about the same distance
southward of Pulo Singinging, the northern island. The channel between
the two northern islets is nearly half a mile wide, with a depth of
10 fathoms.
Belabuan Ju road apparently lies just northward of Pulo Singinging,
with depths of 12 to 13 fathoms at about 3 cables off shore. The
channel from the road to the harbour between Pulo Singinging and the land
appears to be shallow.*
A large reef lies about 3 miles north-eastward of Pulo Singinging.
Between S.E. harbour and the east point of South Pagi, temporary
anchorage may be taken off some of the small villages, where the depths
appear to be moderate.
Tides.—The tide among Sipora and Pagi islands rises from 3 to
5 feet at springs ; but currents often run with the prevailing winds.
Suman and MongO islands, are situated 2 and 5 miles respectively
south-eastward of S.E. harbour. Mongo is high, and a reef lies If miles
S.E. of it.
Sandion Island lies 14 miles south-eastward of South Pagi, and
is low. A small round island, with trees, lies close to the east side of
Sandion, on the reef which surrounds that island to the distance of one
mile.
A coral bank lies westward of Sandion, on which the Europa (in 1797)
steering E.S.E. to pass southward of Sandion obtained soundings in
33 fathoms, soon shoaling to 4 fathoms; she then hauled off S.W. and
deepened in half an hour to 65 fathoms, no bottom. When in 4 fathoms,
the east point of Sandion bore E. by N. about 9 miles distant.
* See plan of Belabuan Ju, or S.E. harbour, on Admiralty chart, No. 2,761 ; scale.
= 0-76 of an inch ; also plan of the road, scale, m = 3 inches.