The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

228 APPKOACH TO STTNDA STRAIT. [chap.it.
running water was discovered. The centre of tlie island is assumed to be
in lat. 10° 31' S.,long. 105° 33' E.*
JAVA HEAD,t the western extremity of Java, is a bluff promontory
at the foot of high land, and is discernible at a considerable
distance in clear weather.
Caution.—When making Java head in hazy weather, the appearance
of the land to the eastward of cape Sangian Sira, between it and Sodon
point, bears much resemblance to the high land of the west point of Java,
with the adjacent hills on Princes island; and the lowland in such cir-
cumstances not being distinguishable at a distance, the position of it is
often mistaken for the entrance to Princes channel.
Cape Sangian Sira.—From Java head the coast trends S.E. by S.
about 3^ miles to Palembaiig point, which is 2 miles northward of cape
Sangian Sira the most southern point of this part of Java. From this
cape, and 1J miles to the southward, several rocks project, some of which
are above water. The soundings are very deep close to these rocks, and
along the shore as far as Java head there is no bottom with 100 fathoms ;
but as the breakei-s which line the whole coast seem to indicate that there
are rocks under water, it will be advisable to give the shore a berth of at
least 2 miles in passing.
Klapper (Breakers) Island, named by the Malays, Pulo
Deli, lies 8 miles from the nearest shore of Java, and about 18 miles
S.E. by E. I E. from cape Sangian Sira. It is low, covered with large
trees (those along the beach being cocoa-nut), and is surrounded by a reef,
which in many places stretches off a distance of one mile. On the north-
west side there is a good watering place in the south-east monsoon, and
boats can enter a stream through a channel with reefs on both sides.
Vessels may anchor in 18 to 24 fathoms, clay bottom, 2 miles from the
island, close to those reefs which partially dry at low water. The depths
a,re from 30 to 40 fathoms at 4 miles off the south shore of the island.
Trowers island (Pulo Tinjil), is nearly of the same circum-
ference and outward appearance as Klapper island, from which it lies
E. by N. distant 13 or 14 miles. This island is also surrounded by a reef.
On the north, and west sides of this island there are from 13 to 19
fathoms water, and at the south-east, and south sides, at some distance, no
bottom at HO and 100 fathoms. A rock is reported to exist at one mile
northward of the island, and on which native craft have sometimes struck.
* See Admiralty chart :—Indian ocean, northern portion, No. 7485. ; scale, (i=0'5 of
an inch.
t
See Admiralty charts:—Snnda strait, No. 2,056; scale, m = 0-3 of an inch; and
Bastern Archipelago, western ponion, No 941a; scale, m = 2-75 inches.