The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

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CHAPTER V.
STJNDA STRAIT TO BANKA STRAIT, AND BATAVIA.-
Vakiation 2° 10' East in 1886.
MONSOONS.—In the Java sea the eastern monsoon prevails when
the sun is northward of the equator, and the western monsoon when the
sun is southward of it, their general tendency being towards that parallel
when the sun is in the zenith. The easterly or south-east monsoon begins in
April, is in its greatest strength from June to August, and ends in October,
when the winds become variable. The north-west or westerly monsoon
commences early in November, is at its height from December to February,
and ceases at the end of March, when it is succeeded by light winds, squalls,
and rain. In Garimata, Gaspar, and Banka straits the monsoons prevail
as in the Java sea. But the times of the changes of these monsoons and
their direction are somewhat irregular, and the south-east monsoon is
subject to calms.
Land and sea breezes will be found at times within a certain distance of
the north coast of Java, and may be advantageously employed in an
adverse monsoon, but they are not regular, and in the strength of the west
monsoon the wind does not at all deviate from its common direction ; and
in the strength of the east monsoon seldom more than one or two points.
From many years' observations at Batavia, it appears that the direction of
the wind there is nearly as follows :—Prom about N.W. by W. to W.N.W.
from November to March ; about North from April to June ; from N.N.E.
to N.E. by N. from July to September ; and North in October ; the north-
west monsoon again beginning in November.
Rain.—The north-west monsoon period is the rainy seasouj the heaviest
rains occurring from December to March.
CURRENTS in the Java sea are for the most part influenced by
the prevailing monsoon, and are generally stronger during the north-west
than in the south-east monsoon. They incline to the northward or south-
ward, according to the influence of the' currents of Sunda, Banka, and
Gaspar straits ; for, during the north-west monsoon they run to the east-
ward, or more southerly, according to the set of those which come frOin the
straits ; and in the south-east monsoon they run to the westward or more
northerly from a similar cause ; a daily allowance from 8 to 12 miles
inay be made in the south-east monsoon, and from 20 to 24 miles in the
north-west monsoon.