The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

jlNNEl, 335
Berikat bank, fronts the- eastern shore of Banka island from
Lepar strait to Berikat point, from which point it extends 4 mUes
S.S.E,, having 1| fathoms upon its outer edge, decreasiiig' suddenly from
10 fathoms. The bank then takes a southerly and westerly direction, aiid
has depths of 2 to 3 fathoms at 9 miles from the shore. The elbow,'one
mile west of Wilson bank, has a depth of 9 feet, with 6 fathoms olose-to.
Wilson bank, on the eastern edge of Berikat bank, has 7 feet
water on its shoalest spot, with the extreme of Berikat point bearing
N.N.W. ^ W. distant 6f miles ; the hummock just inside the point, which
is more conspicuous, bearing N.W. by N. The bank extends about one
mile northward of the shoal patch, having 3 fathoms over that part of it,
and is steep-to. The extreme of Berikat point bearing N.W. by N., leads
one mile eastward of Wilson bank.
Lepar strait, between Banka and Pulo Lepar, is 7 miles wide at
the south-east entrance, but narrows to 1^ miles abreast Roe point. This
entrance is barred by a flat which extends right across from Tanjong
Baginda to Pergam point ; the depth over the centre of this flat is about
2 fathoms, between banks which dry at low water.
The northern entrance has about the same depth, the strait, therefore, is
only available for small craft, with local knowledge. Tingue island, with a
sugar-loaf shaped peak, 915 feet high, lies within the north entrance of
the strait,
PULO LEPAR 'S an irregularly shaped island, about 12 miles in
length, and 10 miles in breadth, separated from the east coast of Banka by
Lepar strait. On its southern part are several ranges of hills of moderate
elevation ; viz. :—Six-peak range 780 feet high, Maroon hiU 850 feet,
Four-peak range 750 feet, and two hills not named on the chart 650 feet
high ; near its western end is False Sugar-loaf, a hUl 700 feet high.
Murong or Entrance Point is the south-eastern extreme of
Pulo Lepar. The land over it is hilly, and the point is bordered by a reef,
extending from one to 2 cables.
Pergam or Round island is a small islet surrounded by reefs lying
2^ miles westward of Murong point, and about 2 cables off Pergam point,
on the south coast of the island.
Water.—Northward of Murong point the coast forms a bay, in which
are two small rivers, where water may be obtained, though slightly tinged
with a red colour it produces no ill efEects. Vessels may anchor about
one mile north-eastward of the point, abreast of which position is a sandy
beach.
LabU or Rocky Point is the north-east extreme of Palo Lepar.
Rocky point hill, 522 feet high, stands If miles westward of the point.