The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

332 & A SPAR STRAIT. [chap. vii.
Larabe shoal, distant 6 miles E. by N. J N. from Hancock shoal,
is about one-third of a mile in extent, having 3J fathoms water, and 5 to
8 fathoms around.
SAND ISLAND is the name given to a small patch of sand, awash
at high water, with 8 fathoms around, lying about 3^ miles N. ^ W.
from Larabe shoal.
At one-third of a mile E. by N. from Sand island, is a shoal patch
about one-third of a mile in extent, having 2^ fathoms water, and 8 to 9
fathoms around; the tide also ripples over this bank.
Padang reef lies about If miles W. by N. ^ N. from Sand island ; also,
a reef named Haaijen is situated W. | S., distant 3^ miles from that
island. Between Padang reef and Sand island there is a patch of 3
fathoms.
Middle reef, lying N.N.E. | E. nearly 2^ miles from Sand
island, is a small sand patch having a rock which dries on its northern end,
and 8 to 9 fathoms around.
Branding breakers.—North-west, nearly If miles fiom Middle
reef, are two small patches occupying a space about 6 cables in extent, and
with 12 fathoms water between them. The western patch has IJ fathoms
water, and the eastern one 3 feet.
Fairlie rock,
lies lO^ miles westward from Sand island. It is a
coral rock about one cable in diameter, nearly awash at low water, with
from 6 to 7 fathoms close around. The sea breaks over the rock, and all
around are overfalls caused by the rocky and uneven character of the
bottom, particularly to the north-eastward. Shoal-water island bears
N.E. by E., distant 15 miles, and just in sight from the deck; therefore,
to avoid this rock, Shoal-water island must be below the horizon by the
time it bears N.E. by E., and the lighthouse be visible only, this island
being the only land distinctly visible from the rock.
Bias Mateu rock of l^ fathoms, lies in the fairway track of
vessels proceeding through Gaspar strait by Macclesfield channel. It lies
with Shoal-water island bearing E. by N., distant 1 7^ miles.
SHOAL-WATER (Se Medang) ISLAND, or Embleton
island, lying 10 miles N. by E. ^ E. from Sand island, is a little more than
half a mile in diameter ; it is surrounded by a reef which extends from
5 to 7 cables off. Detached reefs lie off the eastern side at a distance of
one mile.
Hancock island is small, and lies N.N.E. ^ E. three-quarters of a mile
from Shoal-water island. Off its north-east side a reef extends about
one-third of a mile, and off its north-west side about three-quarters of a