The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP, v.] DIRECTIONS. 269
Lucipara island, to 5 fathoitiS, which d«pth will be found with the point
bearing N. ^ E. distant about 10 mUes.
' If, at night, a vessel should come into shallow water between Two
Brothers islands and Lucipara island, and not being certain whether she
is on either Arend or Boreas banks, or that oif the coast' of Sumatra, it
is advisable to anchor immediately, and to wait for daylight, for the depths
are moderate, and the bottom throughout this track generally favourable
for that ptirpose.
Banka Strait to Sunda Strait.—When bound from Banka
strait to that of Sunda, keep in depths of from 9 to 13 fathoms ; the
currents are two variable to trust implicitly to any course, and the depths
also are too irregular to depend upon them alone, for the 5 and 4J fathoms
on Boreas and Arend banks may be easily mistaken for those south-east-
ward of Tree island, which are dangerous. It will therefore be advisable
in daytime to keep on the Sumatra side in 8 or 9 fathoms, from which
depths that shore is generally visible from the deck, and at night to keep
off shore when the water '
shoals to less than 9 fathoms, and to approach
the shore when it deepens to more than 13 fathoms, as that depth with
westerly winds would be too far off.
Having arrived in about 4° 40' S., or about 30 miles distant from Two
Brothers islands, keep as nearly as possible in 9 or 10 fathoms, so as to get
sight .of these islands bearing South, but not to the eastward of that
bearing in order to avoid Clifton shoal ; otherwise, if made, when in
II fathoms, it would be difficult to weather them with a westerly wind,
especially as the currents run to the south-eastward during the western
monsoon. Caution must be exercised when passing the neighbourhood of
Comara shoal, the existence of which is doubtful. If passing eastward of
Two Brothers islands take care to avoid Brouwers reefs and Lynn bank.
Coming from the northward, Two Brothers islands appear like one
island, and hence some vessels have been led into danger by mistaking
mount Imbong and Knob-hill, in Sumatra,, when seen in the twilight, for
them. Sailing past these islands at night, the position of the vessel
should be well ascertained before dark, or else it would be better to
anchor.
Having passed on either side of Two Brothers islands, they should be
brought to bear northward of N. \ E. when nearing Swallow bank in
vessels of heavy draught ; thence a course may be steered for Sunda strait.
SUNDA STEAIT TO BATAVIA.
BANTAM BAY.—From St. Nicholas point {see page 240)- the
north coast of Java takes an easterly direction for about 2 miles and then