The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

302 BANKA STRAIT. [chap. ti.
Belayer (Layer) reef is above water, and lies on the outer edge
of the bank just mentioned, and S.W. by W. distant 1| miles from the east
extreme of Keyang point.
Dapur point.—The coast from Tanah-robu point trends west about
one mile, and then curving north-westward into a small bay about half a
mile deep, extends with a ragged outline to Dapur point, under Toboali
Lama peak, which forms the south-western extreme of Banka. Adjoining
Dapur point is an islet or rock 40 feet high, with smaller rocks above water
on both sides of it.
From a distance of 7 to 10 miles the rocks on Dapur point appear like
a large town, showing out white against the trees in the background.
Dapur Islands* are two islets about a cable in diameter, connected
at low water by rocks ; they lie about one mile S. by E. from Dapur
point, and form the south-eastern limit of the entrance to Banka strait.
The southern one, 120 feet high, is fronted by a sandy beach ; rocks above
water lie about one cable to the southward, and a rock under water about
2 cables south-eastward of the islet.
There is a channel half a mile wide, with depths of 5^ fathoms, between
Dapur islands find point ; thence to Nangka point there are several white
rocks lying close to the shore.
The bottom, off the south end of Banka is very irregular, and composed
of long sand-ridges, with .deep water over a muddy bottom between.
None of these banks have less than 5 fathoms on them, with the exception
of one, the west end of which lies S.E. 1^ miles from Dapur islands, thence
extending about 5 miles to the eastward, where there are several patches of
3^ fathoms over a sandy ground. At about 4 miles E. by S. of these
patches, and separated by deeper water, is a bank of 4 and 4^ fathoms,
coral and sand, e.'stending in an easterly direction for 3 miles ; it appears
to be a continuation of the Dapur bank, and from its shoalest part Baginda
point bears N.E. ^ N., distance 7 miles.
The survey of this locality should give mariners confidence to approach
the south coast of Banka, and enable them at night to know their position
by the soundings.
Overfalls.—At full and change great overfalls occur, caused by the
meeting of the ebb stream from Banka and Gaspar straits over an uneven
bottom.
TOBOALI BAY.—Nangka point, the south-east extreme of
Toboali bay, lies 2 miles N.W. from Dapur point, and the coast between is
fronted by rocks, extending about half a mile off shore. The edge of the
* Dapur, means cooking place. Native boats, in passing, generally land on these
islands to catch turtle, as it is the only place in Banka strait where they are seen.