The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

220
CHAPTER IV.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE PASSAGES ROUND THE CAPE OF
GOOD HOPE TO SUNDA STBAIT, AND THE CHINA SEA ;
WITH A DESCRIPTION OP SUNDA STRAIT, AND THE
OPP-LTING ISLANDS.
At all seasons of the year it is usual for vessels bound from Europe
to Batavia, Singapore, Bangkok, Saigon, Sarawak, or Labuan, after
rounding the Cape of Good Hope to steer as directed at page 222 for
Java head, and to pass through Sun da strait into the Java sea ; and, with
the exception of those bound to Batavia to enter the China sea by either
Banka, Caspar, or Carimata straits.
The route by Sunda strait and the China sea is also the direct and or-
dinary one for vessels bound to China and Manila ; but those which pass
St. Paul island between the middle of September and the middle of
January, when the north-east monsoon is blowing in the China sea
especially those bound to Shanghai or other northern ports either in China
or Japan— generally proceed by some of the channels eastward of Java,
and enter the Pacific ocean by Macassar strait, the Molucca or Gillolo
passages, or by Dampier strait, which are recommended as the most
eligible routes at this season ; whilst other vessels during this period
enter the Java sea by Sunda strait, and then proceed by some of the
channels eastward of Borneo.
It is not, however, an uncommon practice for fast sailing vessels
bound to China to proceed through Sunda strait and beat up the
China sea against the north-east monsoon ; in weighing the advantages of
the two routes, it should be borne in mind that the Eastern passages are
but imperfectly known, whereas the hydrography of the China sea has been
much improved by the several British and Dutch Admiralty surveys.
Banka strait possesses unquestionable advantages over those of
Gaspar and Carimata, and is without doubt the best and safest route
into the China sea. It was carefully surveyed in 1859 by Messrs.
Stanton and Reed, Masters E.N. in H.M. surveying vessel Haracen, and
subsequently by Lieutenant Keuchanius, in H.N.M. surveying vessel
Pylades. Banka strait, although of much greater length, and not so direct
for vessels bound to China as G-aspar strait, yet it is manifestly supei'ior,
being easy and safe of approach ; affording convenient anchorage in every
—