The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

B20 BA.NKA STRAIT. [ohap. vi.
Prom the '
westward.—Proceeding through Stanton channel
from the westward, when abreast and 1^ miles dist(int from Lalarie point,
an E.S.E. course will lead nearly mid-channel between Nemesis bank and
the bank extending from the Banka shore, until Mamelon hummock is
only just open of Pulo Besar, or Parmassang summit is eastward of that
islet, either of these marks kept astern will lead through the channel
between Melville and Eastern banks.
Working through from the westward in the south-east monsoon,
the same precaution must be taken as already mentioned to avoid the
shoalest part of Nemesis bank, which will be passed when Mamelon hum-
mock bears N. by E. \ E. ; and should a strong flood tide be then running
it would be advisable to anchor in 8 or 9 fathoms, sand, on Nemesis bank,
as the water on both sides is deep, and wait for a change of tide, or the
chance of the land breeze, which blows generally either during the night
or early in the morning from the Banka shore. When Panjang hill
bears N.E., Lalarie point must not be brought to the northward of
N.W. by W. ^ W. to avoid Smits bank, and the same directions as already
given in not approaching the banks under 10 fathoms until Labu point
bears N.E. ^ N. will be quite sufficient to enable any vessel to work
through.
LTJCIPARA CHANNEL.—The south entrance to this channel
is between Lucipara island and Lucipara point. The western side of the
channel is bounded by the raud-flat which projects from the coast of
^Sumatra for 2 miles and more ; and its eastern side, by various hard and
dangerous sand-banks, which narrow the breadth of the passage to 1^ and
2 miles.*
Hound. Shoal.—The southern sand-bank in this channel is nearly
2 miles long, and one mile broad. The least water, 1^ fathoms, is near
the centre, with the summit of Lucipara island bearing S.E. ^ E. distant
8 miles.
The narrowest part of Lucipara channel, 1^ miles, is between the
western extreme of this bank, and the mud-flat extending from the Sumatra
coast.
A light vessel, i" 5 fathoms, and 8| miles N.W. | W. of Lucipara
island, marks the western extremity of Eoutid shoal, and exhibits at an
elevation of 28 feet above the sea a ^xed white light, visible in clear
weather from a distance of 8 miles. The vessel is painted black, with the
* In 1 860 Mr. Stanton ivas of opinion that this channel would, -within a few years,
become unnavlgable for vessels of large draught, o-wing to the rapid extension of the mud-
-flat projecting from the Sumatra coast on the western side, and to the extension, also, of
the sand-hanks on the eastern side.