The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

266 SUNDA STRAIT TO BANKA STRAIT. [chap. v.
A 9-fathoms bank of fine speckled sand extends from 2 to 3^ miles eastward
and southward of Two Brothers islands. This bank shows dis-
coloured water of a pale green colour, and has been seen from a distance
of 2 miles j it would prove at times a convenient anchorage. Two Brothers
islands just touching, lead over the shoalest part.
Swallow bank, with a least depth of 22 feet, is a round patch of
coral, 87 yards across, with 8 to 10 fathoms, mud and sand, close around,
and lies with the Two Brothers bearing N. by E. ^ E., distant 7^ miles=*
Vessels of heavy draught should be careful to give it a wide berth, as
except under very favourable circumstances (calm water and with a
current of one knot, there is no ripple to indicate its position. At one
cable due south from Swallow bank, is a patch of 5 fathoms, sand and
shells, with 9 fathoms between it and the bank. The depths around the
bank are 9 to 10 fathoms, sand.
Iiynn bank is composed of coral, about one cable in extent, with a
least depth of 2 feet; from the bank the highest part of the southern of
the Two Brothers bears W. by N. ^ N. 6J miles. There are depths of
6 fathoms close to the bank, deepening to 12 and 13 fathoms at one cable
distant.
The extremes of Two Brothers islands subtend an angle of 9 degrees at
the bank ; if therefore they be made, whilst passing on (or within a point
or more of) the above bearing to subtend an angle of 8°, a vessel will pass
about a mile outside the bank ; and if an angle of 10°, half a mile inside
it. In calm weather the shoal from its dark colour is extremely difficult
to see until close upon it ; the above method as a safeguard will then be
invaluable and may be used with confidence. A sharp look out should
always be kept as the shoal may only be detected by a slight ripple. At
night it is recommended to close Two Brothers islands and pass them at
the distance of from one to 2 miles.
BrOUWerS reefs are 'two dangerous coral reefs, extending about
S-L cables, in a N. by E. and S. by W. direction, with a dry patch of sand
and coral upon each. Between the two patches there is an apparently
clean fairway 2^ cables wide, with depths of 10 to 14 fathoms. Hard
around stretches out from their north and south ends ; at a short distance
to the eastward and westward the bottom is soft, and the depths at 2 miles
eastward are generally 14 and 15 fathoms, regular soundings.
The northern reef lies with the northern Two Brothers island bearing
S.W. by W. i W. distant 9| miles, and North Watcher island S.E. by E.
14-1 miles. They may usually be seen from the distance of 2 miles.
Clearing Mark.—Mount Imbong kept open southward of South
Brothers leads southward of Brouwers reefs, and the same mount open
northward of North Brothers leads northward of the reefs.
* H.N.M. surveying vessel Blommendal, 1885, gives the least depth as 27 feet.