The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

OHAP. ly.] KBAKATOA ISLAND AND CHANNEL. 253
3 miles iu length, east and west, by 1^ miles in breadth, and from the
peak which is 2,657 feet high, the north side of the island is a perpendi-
cular cliflf, forming part of the arc of the crater, which lies between it and
Verlaten island. No bottom was found at 164 fathoms, about 1^ miles
north-westward of the peak, and where the larger portion of Krakatoa
formerly stood. Eeefs extend about one mile westward and south-west-
ward of the island.*
The whole group of islands are covered with volcanic mud.
Formerly, good shelter was obtained in the N.W. monsoon, with the
peak of Krakatoa bearing S.W. by W. distant about 2 miles, in 20 to
23 fathoms. It is probable that shelter may be found under the lee of the
newly formed Calmeyir and Steel banks, but suflScient information is not
at hand for directions to be given.
TidSS.—It is high water, full and change, at Krakatoa island, at 7h.
springs rise 4 feet, neaps scarcely perceptible. The tides, however, are
much influenced by the prevailing monsoon.
Verlaten, or Forsaken Island, lying north-west of Krakatoa,
is nearly three times larger in area than formerly, and is 673 feet high. It
is also an active volcano separated from Krakatoa by a channel 2 miles
wide. The island is about 3 miles in length in a north-east and south-
west direction, by one mile in breadth. Eeefs extend about 2 miles
northward from the island, and one mile eastward and westward.
Lang Island, about 2 miles long, north and south, and about half
a mile broad, is separated from the north-east side of Krakatoa by a
channel nearly 1 ^ miles wide, and is 443 feet in height. This island does
not appear to have altered very much, but the channel formerly between it
and Krakatoa was only 2 cables wide. A reef stretches out from its
west side nearly half a mile, and a new small islet has arisen about three-
quarters of a mile west of the south point of Lang island, while Polish
Hat has disappeared. A large new reef lies between Lang and Verlaten
islands.
Krakatoa Channel between Krakatoa and Lang island, is about
l^- miles wide, with deep water. As reefs extend from Krakatoa and
Verlaten island, great caution is necessary in making use of this channel.
Sebesi (Bezee) or Tamarind island, bearing about N. by
E., 11 miles from Krakatoa peak, is nearly 3 miles in extent north and
south, and the same, east and west. This island has a high peak,
resembling a sugar-loaf, which rises abruptly to a height of 2,818 feet fipom
the southern extremity of the island, and slopes gently down to the
northward. Off the north-east side, at the distance of about half-a-mile,
there are three small islets named Husband, Little Tamarind, and Gorts,
No. 9410.
See Admiralty chart, Svmda strait,No. 2,056 ;
scale, m = 0-3 of an inch, and plan on