The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

292 BANKA. STEAIT. [ohap. vi.
of which the principal are the Sungsang and the Asing, both navigable to
a considerable distance.
The entrance to Banka strait is encumbered with numerous long and
narrow banks of sand, having deep channels between ; only two of
which, however, viz., the Lucipara and the Stanton, are available for the
ordinary purposes of navigation.
Stanton channel, nearly three miles wide in its narrowest part, and
with depths varying from 7 to 20 fathoms, lies between Lucipara and
Banka. Mr. Stanton states that this channel wiU be found to possess many
advantages over that of Lucipara, for it is one mile wider, the approaches
are marked by well defined hills on Banka island, and a vessel of the largest
draught may pass through at any time of tide.
The water also being" much deeper than in Lucipara, causes the banks,
which are mostly of sand, to be easily recognised by the light colour of the
water on them. Tbe tide also ebbs and flows more regularly in this
channel, and sets directly through it, which enables vessels even in calms
to drop through ; whereas in light winds and calms they are often set over
amongst the dangerous banks whilst rounding First point in endeavouring
to get through Lucipara channel.
The wind in the north-west monsoon blows off the Banka coast, and
throughout the year land breezes generally occur during the night. A
strong laod wind from the north-east has been experienced in Stanton
channel during the south-east monsoon, when the wind was blowing
directly through Lucipara from the southward.
There is but little variation in the depth of water between the Sumatra
coast and the Lucipara shoals ;
and during the months of January, February,
and March, when the north-west monsoon is at its full strength, the southern
current is so strong as to make it almost impossible for an indifferent sailing
vessel to make any progress against it. Also during the latter part of the
south-east monsoon it frequently blows hard from the south-west, accom-
panied with much rain ; this would considerably retard vessels going to the
southward through Lucipara channel, and offer a fair wind to those pro-
ceeding through Stanton channel.
Pilots of vessels from Singapore still invariably use Lucipara channel, as
they say, " We always know where we are by the lead, as we keep it con-
stantly in hand, whereas in Stanton channel we have to stop to get a cast.
Also that the points on the west side of Banka strait are easily distinguished
from a distance of 1 or 8 miles."*
WINDS.—The winds in Banka strait follow the direction of the
«oasts, though writh slight variations from the influence of the land and sea
* Commander W. Chimmo, H.M.S,. iVa«»OM> 1870.