The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CBAp.vi.] COAST OP StIMATBA. 299
The river is navigable for vessels as far as the lown by keeping close
to the right bank ; but those of large draft are recommended, when passing
Fulo Singris and the bank of Kampong Maya, to keep near the opposite
shore. Both sides of the river are wooded, and on nearly all the isolated
banks there are small trees, and on others fishing stakes, consequently
there will not be much difficulty in avoiding them.
Falembang, one of the largest Malay towns in the Archipelago^
and the largest in Sumatra, derives its name from the many bridges across
the numerous creeks that intersect it. A Dutch resident and other
officials reside here, and to support their authority there is a military
force. The population of the town is about 50,000, and the climate in the
vicinity is considered so salubrious that convalescent soldiers are sent here
from Banka.
Near the extreme end of the town, commanding the mouth of the Ogan
river, is a large fort ; there are several smaller forts some distance up the
river.
Covered boats (called bedahs) daily arrive from the interior, laden
with large supplies of cotton for exportation. This useful article grows
quite wild some distance up the river, in some places close to the stream, and
covej'ing may miles of land. The greater portion of it is sent to Batavia.
All the necessaries of life are here found iu abundance. The country
abounds in large game, deer, wild pigs, i&c. ; and the river with fish.
Beef, fruit, vegetables, &c. are cheap and plentiful. The export trade,
consists principally of pepper, rattans, cotton, honey, dye woods, and
gutta-percha.
Freshets.—From November to March rains prevail, and the wind
varies from N.W. to N.E. At this period vessels belonging to Palembang
either remain in port or trade to other places, as it is almost impossible
for sailing vessels at this period to make any progress up the river against
the freshets. During a stay of five days off the town in January, the
influence of the flood was not once felt. The ebb slackened during the
day, but at night it often ran 5 knots. After much rain the freshets out
of the river are felt as far as Muntok bay.
Sungi Banju Asiug, which lies close to the westward of Sungi
Sungsang, offiBrs the best passage to Palembang, being at all times naviga-
ble for vessels of heavy burden.* At the entrance, in mid-channel there
are 8 to 10 fathoms. Higher up this river the Pontian and Jarang channels
are as good as that_ through the Sungsang.
The difficulties in going up Asing river, caused by the narrowness of
Pontian, Sebalick, and Jarang rivers, and the necessity of stopping so
* Seamaa's guide round Java, page 267.