The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

0HA1-.IV.] ANJER.—GREAT MEBAK ISLAND. 239
Brabands or Cap Island (Pulo Ular),
is a small round
island, about a cable in diameter, lying about B.S.E. 4 miles from the south-
east end of Thwart-way island.
A shoal of 2 fathoms lies 2 cables off the Java shore, with Brabands
island bearing N.W. by W. distant one mile.
Brauwers Sand is a bank lying off the Java shore, between Brabands
and Merak islands. It is composed of hard sand, and extends nearly
3 miles along the coast in a N.E. by N. direction, with a breadth of 2 cables.
There is a depth of 4 J fathoms on the south part of the bank with
fronn 4| tQ 7f fathoms over the remainder of the bank. Its southern
limit is 2J miles N.E. from Brabands island ; and its northern end forms
with Merak island a channel 2 cables wide, with depths of 10 fathoms.*
It affords convenient anchorage for vessels working through Sunda strait.
Between this bank and the shore there is a channel one mile wide, with
6 to 10 fathoms water, which increases in the direction of Brabands island
to IS and 20 fathoms. Krunjo rock, which dries at low water, lies about
2 cables off shore, with Brabands island bearing S.W. by W. J W., and
the west point of Merak island N. ^ W.
The depths close to the west side of Brouwers sand are from 10 to 15
fathoms, increasing to 19 and 20 fathoms at the distance of one mUe. When
standing inshore, Brabands island should be kept inside of Fourth point, as
the island in line with Fourth point leads only just outside the edge of the
bank.
GREAT MERAK ISLAND, or Pulo Merak Besar,
lying N.E. § N. 5^ miles from Brabands island, is of considerable height;
nearly round, and about half a mile in diameter. Within it is New Anjet
road.
LIGHT.—A fixed white light is exhibited from the northern hill on
Great Merak'island, at an elevation of 218 feet. It is visible from a dis-
tance of 10 to 12 miles over an arc extending seaward of Fourth point to
within one-fourth of a mile westward of St. Nicholas point, except where
intercepted by islands. Position, lat. 5° 66^' S., long. 105° S8f' E,
A Semaphore
is placed just eastward of the lighthouse.f
Bank.—A small patch of coral, with a depth of 4J fathoms, and steep
to nearly all round, lies with Merak lighthouse, bearing about S. i E., and
distant 1 J miles. When the current is running from one to 2 miles an
hour, the bank is marked by ripples, and sometimes by discoloured, water.
Little Merak Island, or Pulo Merak Kechil, lies near the
shore, about half a mile south-eastward of Great Merak islandr- It is con-
* Bronwers sand, previous to the earthquake, had in one place a depth only of 1^
fathoms, -^ith a general depth* of 3| or 4 fathoms. . , , '
t See page 237, Anjer, on intended removal of semaphore, &c.