The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

324 BANKA STRAIT. [chap. vi.
with that on Tanjong Kalian, afford good marks for ascertaining a vessel's
position, the eastern channel, which is nearly 8 miles wide between
Frederick Henry and Transit rocks, should be easier navigated.
From East channel, Gunong Penyabung, Paree, and Busukan, on the
north-west part of Banka, appear like islets. Penyabung, bearing N.E.,
leads 2 miles eastward of Frederick Henry rocks (marked by a buoy), 3 miles
westward of Transit rock, and 2 miles north-westward of Sebidung Uma,
the outer dangers bordering this channel.
Passing westward of Frederick Henry rocks, between them and Sumatra,
vessels should keep in 4^ to 7 fathoms water on the edge of the Bank off
Batakarang point, and not more to the eastward than in 9 or 10 fathoms,
while Monopin hill is between the bearings of East and E. by S.
Working through Banka Strait fom the Southward.
—Directions have already been given for working through Stanton and
Lucipara channels to Lalarie point at pages 319 and 322. In working between
Lalarie point and Nangka islands the lead is a good guide, as the soundings
decrease regularly, except near Lalarie point and Timbaga rocks, where they
decrease rather suddenly from a depth of 10 fathoms ; if, however, Lalarie
point be not brought southward of S.E. ^ S. until Brani peak bears
E.N.E., a vessel will keep clear of all danger near Timbaga rocks.
Having arrived within 3 miles of Great Nangka, the spit extending from
the south end of that island should not be approached under a depth of
7 fathoms ;
and to avoid the rocky ledges extending from Middle and West
Nangka, West reef rock, 6 feet above water, should not be brought to the
westward of North after the peak of Great Nangka bears N.E., until the
vessel is northward of Nangka islands.
From Nangka islands to Tanjong Tadah the shore may be safely
approached by the lead, as the soundings are shoal with a gradual
-decrease. When Tanjong Tadah bears N.E. J N., (which clears the
eastern side of Karang Brom-Brom,) vessels should cross over towards
Fourth point on the Sumatra coast.
The bank fronting the Sumatra coast may be conveniently approached,
when well between the points, by common atteotion to the lead ; but off
the points, and for a few miles on either side of them, great attention must
be paid to the soundings, and the bank approached with caution, and never
under a depth of 10 fathoms, as the water shoals suddenly from that depth.
The most dangerous part of the bank is between Fourth point and 6 miles
to the westward of it (page 297), which must be approached with the
utmost caution.
Westward of this dangerous part of the bank, the bank becomes shelving;
and may be approached to 5 or 4| fathoms. Woridng westward of