The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

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"word Lucipara on either side in white letters, and has one mast surmounted
by a black ball.
HindOStan Bank lies close northward of Round shoal, and is
nbout Z\ miles in length. The depths on the southern and middle parts
are one to 3 fathoms, but about three-quarters of a mile from its northern
extreme is a patch of hard sand with only 3 feet water. From this position
Green point bears W. by N. \ N. distant 3;^ miles.
Merapie Shoal, the most northern of the banks on the eastern side
of Lucipara channel, is composed, like the others, of hard sand, and is
three-quarters of a mile in extent north and south, and more than half a
mile broad. The least water is 2^ fathoms, and lies with First point bearing
W. by N. ^ N. distant 3 miles ; False First point is just in sight.
DIRECTIONS.—Lucipara Channel from the south-
"Ward.—When bound towards Banka strait from the southward, Lucipara
island is generally made between the bearings of N. by E. and N.W.,
in depths of 5^ to 8 or 9 fathoms ; but should it, when first seen,
have a more westerly bearing, run to the westward till it bears North,
distant 4 or 5 miles ; and then, by steering N.W., the vessel will pass
between it and Lucipara point. With westerly winds it is advisable to
keep on the western side of the channel in 4| to 5^ fathoms.
In Lucipara channel the bottom is generally hard sand on the banks
towards the eastern side, and soft mud on the western or Sumatra side ;
yet close to the north-western edge of Hindostan bank, the bottom is also
soft, with 5^ and 6 fathoms ; it is therefore advisable not to keep in too
soft bottom, but in the middle of the channel.*
In clear weather, when the Parmassang range is visible, the highest peak
on the western extreme of the range in line with First point, N. by W. f W,,
will lead into Lucipara channel, nearly three-quarters of a mile clear of
the 3-fathoms edge of the mud-bank projecting from Lucipara point.'f
When Lucipara island bears S.E. by E. ;^ E., Lucipara light vessel should
be N.E. by N. about one mile, and Mamelon hummock N. by W., this
latter mark being steered for on that bearing will lead through between
the bfink off First point, and Merapie shoal. When False First point
opens, a vessel may edge away to the westward to round First point, taking
care not to approach it nearer than one mile, as the bank projecting from
the point is steep-to, especially on its north-east side. After rounding
First point a N.W. by W. course will lead midway between False First
* Seaman's guide round Java, page 252.
t Formerly this mark led through the middle of the channel, but owing to the mud
hank having become of late years considerably morel extended, it no longer answers
that purpose.
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