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caiP-^i] COAST OF SUMATRA. 297
The inud--bank does not extend more than half amile off Third point,
but it is very steep-to, and should not be approached under three-quarters
of a mile, or in less than 13 fathoms water. Between Third and Fourth
points the bank is. straight, its edge being distant one to 1^ miles from
the shore, except in front of the bight just to the westward of Third point
where it is two miles distant.
The soundings between Third and Fourth points are irregular, but
vessels may, with careful attention to the lead, stand towards the mud-
bank into 7 or 6 fathoms, until nearly abreast of Fourth point, where the
bank is steeper, having 10 fathoms close-to, and only 8 fathoms a little
farther off.
FOURTH POINT (Katima Bongko), lies W. fF. distant
23 miles from Third point. The trees upon it are about 112 feet high.
The coast from Fourth point stretches westward for 22 or 23 miles,
and in this space the different branches of Palembang river fall into the
strait.
BANKS.—-A. mud-bank, about 2 miles in length, and three-quarters
of a mile in breadth, and having depths of 4J fathoms, lies about 8 miles
eastward of Fourth point, and nearly 3 miles from the shore ; between
this bank and the edge of the mud-flat extending from the shore, is a
channel about three-quarters of a mile broad, with 7 to 9 fathoms water.
A bank of sand and shells, having 4f fathoms waterj lies 4 miles off
Fourth point. It is 3 miles long in a north-west and south-east direction,
about 1^ miles broad, and from its western extreme Fourth point bears
S.W. distant 4 miles. Between it and the mud-bank extending from the
shore there are depths of 7 to 9 fathoms. Depths of 6 fathoms will be
found between this bank and the 4^ fathoms bank lying about 4 miles to
the eastward.
Another patch, about one mile in extent, and having a depth of
6 fathoms, lies with Fourth point bearing S.W. ^ S. 6J miles, and the dry
rocks on Karang Brom-Brom N.E. by N. 3 miles.
The mud-bank from Fourth point trends in a W.N.W. direction for
18 miles, thence nearly South, forming one side of the entrance to Sungi
Sungaang; a spit projecting from the land forms the other side of the
entrance to that river, as also the south-east side of the entrance to Sungi
Asing.
Oaution.-T-This bwk for 6 miles westward of Fourth ppjnt is com-
posed of hard sand, covered with a thin stratum of soft mud, a.nd is
exceedingly dangerous, being steep-to, and many vessels have grounded
upon it. The lead cannot at all be relied upon for giving, warning in tune
to avoid it, for 11 fathoms may be had and the vessel be aground the next