The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

282 BATAVIA BAY. [ohai-.v;-
favourable weather occupied in going and returning by the lighters is such;
that it is said two steamers unloading at the same time exhaiust their
carrying powers.
' !Bata
new road, is the anchorage ground northward of the tNew
harbour, with depths of 51 to 7 fathoms. The remarks on the 'old road-
stead will also apply to this^'butit is more conveniently situated, #ith
regard to the harbour.
Tides.—During the monsoons there is only one tide in- the 24« hours*;
in the easterly monsoon it is high water, full and change at 10 p'.tn., and in
the .westerly monsoon at 10 a.m. During the period when the one moiisoon
is ,
changing to the other, (April and October) there are two tides.- The:
range of tide at springs is about 4 feet (maximum).
Currents.—The currents in the channels of the western approaches
to Batavia run with the prevailing monsoon, and are little affected by. the
tidal stream. It attains its greatest strength in the narrow portion of
Inner channel, between Middleburg island and Untung Java reef, where it
sometimes runs at the rate of 2 miles an hour. See also page 260.
ISLETS and REEFS.—Middleburg. island, and the islets and
dangers westward of it, have been described With the Inner and Outer
channels, see page 274. The dangers, eastward of Middleburg. island, wiU
now be described.
Shore bank.—From the buoy marking the north extreme of Untung ;
Java reef, south side of Inner chanuol, the mud bank within a depth of.
3 fathoms, fronting the shore of Batavia bay, trends south-eastwardj
gradually nearly the shore until abreast Onrust island where it is distant
about 4 cables ; thence it increases its distance to about three-quarters of
a mile from the shore towards Batavia and the harbour at Tanjong Prioki
Three white buoys mark dangers lying off the edge of this bank^ here-
after described.
Amsterdam island (Untung Java), on the north side of
Inner channel, is separated from Middleburg island by a passage 1^ cables
in breadth between the projecting reefs, with a patch of 3J fathoms near
the centre of it.
The island is low, covered with trees, and inhabited by a few fishermen.
Excepting on the south side the island is surrounded by a reef, which
in places extends to the distance of 1 J cables. On the island are buildings
belonging to a floating dry dock, which has fallen into a state of decay.
Westward of this dock and close to the shore, is a similar dock, which has
sunk ;
portions of it show above water.
Schiedam island (Ubi Kechil) is a small inland about one
cable in extent, with a few trees on itp eastern end. The reef around!
the islet extends northwards and eastwards for, the distance of one cable, >
but on the west side for, only a short distance.