The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

«HAP. IT.] NEW ANJER.—^WINSOR BOCK. 241
-are unfavourable, when good anchorage will be found in the bays along this
shore, in from 8 to 10 fathoms.
St. Nicholas point is the extreme end of the high bold promontory form-
ing the northern point of Java. Dangers extend about a third of a mile
off the point, with 11 fathoms close to, and 30 to 35 fathoms at a distance
of one to 2 miles.
Toppers (Button) Island, about one cable in diameter, is 230 feet
'high, steep, and covered with trees. It lies weU out in the fairway of Sunda
strait, 5 miles N.E. by E. ^ E. of the high part of Thwart-way island, and
has 30 fathoms close-to and about 55 fathoms at 3 cables distant.
The CHANNSL between Thwart-way and Zutphen islands is 4 miles
wide, with two dangers, viz., Stroom rocks off Thwart-way, and Winsor
rock off Toppers (Button) island. Owing to the great depth of water,
40 to 50 fathoms, it is not so convenient as the channel between Thwartway
and Java, where the depths being only 20 to 30 fathoms, greater
facility is afforded for anchoring in calms. Horsburgh says that the
channel between Thwart-way and Sumatra is much frequented in the
westerly monsoon by vessels bound to the westward, being shorter although
more contracted than the other channel between Thwart-way and Java
The former may be adopted with a steady wind, for in such case, with
the westerly current, a vessel will get speedily through ; but in light
^baffling winds, she is liable to be drifted about by strong tides or currents
near Stroom rocks, where the water is too deep for anchorage.
Stroom Rocks, lying N.N.W. ^ W. if miles distant from the west
point of Thwart-way, are a group of rocks with some of their heads just
above high water. At times they may be seen at a considerable distance
by the breakers on the reef which connects them under water. They are
steep to, having 40 and 50 fathoms near them.
A rock, said to be well known to the local pilots, lies one mile south-
east from Stroom rocks.
The currents which meet here from the north and eaet are very strong,
and with the opposite wind, causes such strong eddies, that it almost
appears as if Stroom rocks are connected to Thwart-way.
Winsor Rock, marked by tide rips, has a least depth of 14 feet,
with other rocks close to, beyond which the depths increase suddenly to
about 30 fathoms in all directions. From the rock the summit of Toppers
island bears S.E. by E. f E,, distant 1^ miles, and in line with Merak light.
DIRECTIONS.—With a steady and commanding breeze a vessel
from about 2 miles off Third point may steer N.N.E. | E. for Fourth
point, passing it at about the same distance, thence on the same course,
westward of Brabands island, taking care not to borrow too close on
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