The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CSIAP.VI.J COAST OP SUMATKA. 295
Rocky Patches.—Lucipara should not be approached on its south
•east side nearer than 3^ miles, for a rocky patch with 2J fathoms water,,
lies S.E. by E. ^ E., distant nearly 2^ miles from the island.
Lucipara point, which forms the south-western limit of Banka
TStrait, is covered with trees, the tops of the highest being about 90 feet;
above the level of the sea.
The coast between Lucipara and First points is formed of mangrove
jungle, and was found in the survey of 1859 to have extended considerably.
This extension may be attributed to the sediment from the numerous small
rivers in that vicinity affording more soil for the growth of the prolific
mangrove.
Dutch uaval officers state that the whole coast of Sumatra facing Banka
strait in the bights, and wherever mangrove is found growing, is annually
progressing outwards. This remark applies to the bays, and more especially
to the outlet of rivers, but not to First, Second, and the other principal
points, where a different kind of tree will be found, and the rapid current
sweeping round these abrupt points prevents any further extension taking
place.
GIl££!N POINT, so called from the trees on it being of a lighter
and brighter green than elsewhere, bears N. ^ W., distant 9 miles from
Lucipara point, the coast between forming a bight about 1^ miles deep;
Between these points is a ridge of high trees standing about 1 J miles
back from the coast line, with a conspicuous tree about 150 feet high, near
their centre.
FIBST POINT,
lies 4 miles northward of Green point, the coast
between forming a bight. The trees on it are about 60 feet high, and
present a level appearance.
The coast from First point trends in a west-north-westerly direction for
6^ miles to False First point, having a small bight between. From False
First point it recedes S.W. bj W., about 3 miles, and then forming a deep
bay gradually curves round to a small point, whence it extends nearly
straight for 7 niiles to Second point.
Mud-bank.—From the southward the coast line approaches Lucipara
point in a north-easterly direction ; but the 3-fathoms line, which may be
considered the edge of the mud-bank which fronts the whole coast of
Sumatra, approaches it nearly straight in a N. by W. direction, from a
distance of 10 or 12 miles southward of the point, and passing it about
2 miles off, follows, with a slight curve in towards the coast the same
general direction until abreast of Green point, from 'tf'hich it extends a
little over one mile ; it then takes a direction a little more westerly, uijj;^}
abreast of the south part of First point, from which it is distant, three-