The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

322 BANKA STRAIT. [chap. vr.
point and Nemesis bank, and when Lalarie point bears N. by W. | W.
course may be altered to N.W. From Lalarie point, see page 323.
A vessel entering this channel with Parmassang peak in line with First
point, N. by W. | W., will have about 4 fathoms at low water, with an
occasional cast of 4J or 4^ fathoms, until Lucipara island bears E. by S. ^ S.
when the soundings will deepen to 4| and 5 fathoms, and shortly after-
wards to 5^ and 6 fathoms, till abreast the light vessel o£E Round shoal
thence 6, 7, and 8 fathoms until nearly abreast Merapie shoal, when the
water will suddenly deepen to 11 or 12 fathoms. If,, from the haziness of
the weather, Parmassang peak cannot be seen, keep midway between
Lucipara island and the coast, taking care not to bring the island to bear
southward of S.E. by E., until First point bears N. by W. | W., or
Mamelon hummock N. bj W.
Prom the northward,—Entering Lucipara channel from the
northward. First point must be rounded with caution, on account of its
being steep-to, especially on its north-eastern side, and it must not be
,- approached nearer than one mile at the same time if the tide is running
to the south-eastward it will be necessary to use proper care that, in giving a
safe berth to First point, the vessel is not set too near Merapie shoal, which
the tide will be likely to do unless guarded against. Mamelon hummock,
kept astern, bearing N. by W. is the leading mark through, until abreast
Lucipara light vessel, whence Parmassang high peak should be kept in
line with First point, astern, steering S. by E. f E., which will lead clear
of the Sumatra shore bank ; or a S.E. by S. course may be steered, which
will lead midway between Lucipara island and the main.
Working through this channel a vessel may stand towards the
Sumatra bank safely by attending carefully to the lead, but must not stand
into less than 6^ fathoms when near the elbow projecting off Green
point. Lucipara island must not be approached nearer than 2 miles, when
bearing northward of N.E.
Careful attention to the lead and a good look-out, will also give sufficient
warning when standing towards the banks on the eastern side.
Caution.—Many vessels passing through Lucipara channel have
grounded on the mud-flat extending from the coast of Sumatra, especially
a short distance southward of Green point, where the flat extends farther
out, and all have been obliged, before they could get off, either to tranship
or to throw a part of the cargo overboard, as the anchors which were laid
out on the soft muddy bottom to heave them off" came home. This part of
the flat shoals suddenly from 6 to 3 fathoms, and therefore should never be
approached to a less depth than 6^ fathoms.
It vrill also be necessary to use gi'eat caution when working through this
channel from the southward and standing to the eastward to avoid being
;