The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

«aAp. VI.] STANTON CHANNEL. 317
MelvUl Bank, 5 miles long, and nearly half a mile broad, lies a
quarter of a mile eastward of the south-eastern part of Smits bank, with a
depth of 7 and 8 fathoms between. The shoalest part of this bank, 2 to
3 fathoms, is near its north-western extremity, and is about 2 miles in
length.*
Laboh point bearing N. by E. ^ E., leads south of the bank, in
7 fathoms; and Mamelou hummock just open of Pulo Besar leads I^
miles eastward of Melvill bank, in about mid-channel.
Between the above banks and Lucipara island, there are many others all
trending in the same direction, with narrow deep water channels between ;
but as these channels are exceedingly narrow, and no marks can be given
to clear the banks, they are not available for vessels.
Eastern Bank.—The bank marking the eastern side of Stanton
channel is 13 miles long and nearly one mile wide abreast Laboh point,
which is the broadest and shoalest part. It is formed by three smaller
banks nearly joined together, with from 1^ to 3 fathoms on the north-
western, 4 feet on the middle, and 2| to 3 fathoms on the south-eastern
bank. The north-western extremity is separated from a horn extending
from the shore mud-flat abreast of Pulo Dahuu, by a narrow channel
having 6 fathoms water.
Gadong peak, in line with Toboali fort, bearing N.E. ^ N., leads southward
of Eastern bank in 4^ fathoms ; Dapur island E. by S. f S. leads
westward ; and Mamelon hummock on with, or kept open to the west-
ward of Pulo Besar, also leads westward of the bank.f
A small bank of sand lies one mile to the westward of the south-eastern
extreme of Eastern bank, but as not less than 4J fathoms were found at
low water, it is not dangerous to vessels passing through.
Between Eastern bank and the Banka coast there is an inner channel
nearly a mile wide, with 4 to 6 fathoms water, but being encumbered with
shoals it is only navigable for small vessels. Dapur island bearing
S.E. by E. J E., leads nearly in mid-channel.
There are also two outlets from this channel into Stanton channel, over
Eastern bank ; Pulo Dahun bearing N. by E. J E. leads through in
5 fathoms; and Pulo Puni in line with G ossong point, E. by N. leads
through in 4 fathoms.
Nemesis Bank, lying nearly mid- channel between Pudi point and
False First point, is a long ridge of sand extending 9 miles in a north-
west and soutli-east direction, with irregular soundings of 3 to 10 fathoms.
The shoalest part consists of two patches of 3 fathoms, half a mile apart,
* This bank appears to have shoaled considerably, as trees which are visible about
6 miles are said to be growing upon it. Pola. Hyd. Notice No. 24 of 1885. Seepage
.