The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

268 SUNDA STRAIT TO BANKA STRAIT, [chap. v.
except the 4J and 5 fathoms on Arend and Boreas banks, tolerably regular
from! 10 to 16 fathoms ; but nearer to Sumatra, about 22 or 24 miles from
the coast, they become irregular, changing often, and suddenly, from 10 to
5 and 6 fathoms.
DIRECTIONS—Stinda Strait to Banka Strait—Having
passed through Sunda strait, and bound to Banka strait, it is usual to steer
a direct course for Two Brothers islands. With a Working wind, it will
be prudent to keep within a moderate distance of the Sumatra coast'. A
good mark in daylight is, when standing inshore, to tack when IsTortb island
is just on with Eimau, the highest Zutphen island ; the soundings will then
be generally 7 or 8 fathoms, and a large vessel should not risk a less depth
when working between North island and Swallow bank, which she will
pass eastward of, if the southern Two Brothers island be not brought
eastward of N. by E.
Although the space between Thousand islands and Two Brothers islands
can be navigated with more confidence since its partial examination by
Commander Bullock in H.M.S. Serpent in 1865, and since then by the sur-
veying vessels of His Netherland Majesty, yet, as no complete survey has
been made, the mariner is recommended to proceed with caution. Two
Brothers islands may be passed at a prudent distance on either side. On
passing to the eastward, take care to avoid Lynn bank and Brouwers
reefs; and when passing between the islands and Shahbundar banks, a
vessel should not keep farther from the islands than 3 miles, and not nearer
the coast of Sumatra than the depth of 7 fathoms.
Having passed Two Brothers islands steer northward towards Lucipara
island, keeping Two Brothers islands to the westward of South, to avoid
Clifton shoal, and endeavouring to keep in soundings from 9 to 12 fathoms,
as a direct course cannot be depended upon on account of irregular currents
or tides setting out from the rivers. Neither can the soundings, in .this
track be implicitly trusted to, being irregular, from 8 to 11 or 12 fathoms
in some places, particularly so near Tree island bank, the edges of the
other banks projecting from the coast of Sumatra, and in the vicinity of
Arend and Boreas banks in the offing. It will be, however, prudent to
borrow towards the main if the depths increase to 12 or 13 fathoms ; and
to haul off from it if they decrease to 8^ or 9 fathoms towards the banks
that front the coast. Near these banks the bottom is generally hard, and
the soundings more irregular than farther out from the land.
When the weather is clear, during the day, it may be proper, to get, a
sight of the coast from a large vessel at times, edging out occasionally in
the night, or when the depths decrease to 8^ or 9 fathoms. Having
passed the bank off Tree island, the coast may be approached with greater
safety, but the position of the doubtful bank, south of Tromp patch, should
be avoided;' the -depths will decrease regularly steering northward for