The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

248 SUNUA STRAIT.— ^NORTH SHORE. [chap. ir.
Tagal Island, flat topped and conspicuous, bears N.E. If miles from
Mahitam, and about W. by S., 3^ miles from the Chundong islands.
Between Tagal and the western shore some sand-banks obstruct the
passage, leaving but a small channel, with 14 fathoms, mud.
In the bay north-westward of Tagal there are two villages, Eingong
and Urong ; and near the south point of the bay is the small island Laho,
connected to the shore by a reef, which also projects to the northward.
The general depth in this bay is 12 to 9 fathoms, mud, and on its northeme
side is the small island of Tabikel, attached to the main by a reef.
Between it and Tankil island, there is a channel with 11 and 12 fathoms,,
mud.
Tagal island, with its flat top, is visible throughout the whole of
Lampong bay. When coming in from the eastward, a vessel may steer for
it on a N.W. bearing, and pass it in 15 fathoms; entering from the south-
ward it is also a useful mark from Lagundi strait.
Tankil Island, is 3 miles north of Tagal. Its north side is lowr
but the south is high ; and from its eastern point a reef stretches o£F 2 or 3-
cables, showing, at low water, some black spots, which may be passed
in from 9 to 14 fathoms.
The Head of Lampong Bay, northward of Tankil, is about 4-
miles wide, and contains four islands :—Pamagotang, an islet lying nearly
2 miles north from Tankil, is a sand bank with some trees, and is sur-
rounded by a reef which extends to the distance of 3 cables southward and
westward of it. A bank with 1^ fathoms least water, and 1 J cables in
extent lies S.S.E. distant 4 cables from the islet. Kobur island lies about
8 cables south-west from Pamagotang, and about 4 cables off shore.
Passarang is a low island, lying 9 cables northward of Pamagotang, and on
the west side of Telok Betung road.
Reefs.— Besides these islands there are several coral reefs, with depthsvarying
from one foot to 3 fathoms : the easternmost, with 3 feet least water,
lies with Pamagotang islet bearing S.S.W., distant 7 to 8 cables. The-
north-east side of this reef is marked by a black beacon buoy. Foul
ground with some shallow heads extend about 3 cables southward of the
coast under Apen hill, north-east side of Telok Betung road.
Telolc Setung, situated in the north-western part of the bight, is
the chief place of trade in Lampong bay. Its population consists of
natives of Sumatra and Bougies, with a Eegent from the Dutch Govern-
ment as their Chief. They trade with the Javanese in Lampong tobacco^
which is highly esteemed.*
* See Admiralty chart:—Telok Betung, No. 940; scale m = 2-6 iacbes. Telok
Betung was destroyed by the earthquake and tidal wave in August 1883, but is being
rebuilt ;
the remarks, therefore, are subject to amendment.