The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

6 MALACCA STRAIT. [chap. i.
Pulo Butofig and then keep, on the Malayan side of the channel, where, as
already stated,, a tidal influence prevails, and where there is less calm, but
generally variable winds, or land and sea breezes. Sometimes a brisk
westerly wind will be carried as far as Penang. When once the islands on
the Malay coast are sighted there will be no difficulty in getting to the
south- eastward.
In the entrance of Malacca strait near the Nicobar and Achi islands, and
between them and Salang (Junkseylon), there are often strong and noisy
ripplings, particularly in the south-west monsoon. These ripplings occur
when there is no perceptible current, and in calm weather are seen
approaching from a considerable distance ; in the night their noise gives
warning of their approach ; the spray sometimes breaks on a vessel's deck.
After passing from 10 to 20 miles westward of Pulo Butong, and not
being bound to Penang, a course should be steered to pass nearly midway
between Sambilang islands and Pulo Jarra. With a working wind the
west side of Penang may be approached to soundings of 10 or 12 fathoms ;
Great Kra flat and the bank which skirts the coast to Pulo Binding, and
extends Seaward 10 or 12 miles, may be approached to the same depths,
guarding against the indraft of the rivers on the flood tide when near the
bank. Under 15 fathoms the water shoals rapidly to the edge of the bank.
Sambilang islands and Pulo Jarra have deep water within a short distance^
and may be seen from a distance of 20 miles. In this track soundings of
28 to 34 fathoms will have been found.
After passing Sambilang islands vessels should make for the North
Sands and steer a course to pass 5 or 6 miles to the westward of the
north extreme; the soundings will then decrease from 28 or 30 fathoms to
10 or 15 fathoms. In this depth during daylight, Aroa islands will
probably be sighted. Round Aroa island, having trees on its summit,
may be seen a distance of 15 miles, when, guided by the bearing of these
islands and the soundings, the vessel may pass along the west side of the
sands until One-fathom bank lighthouse be sighted, when course should be
shaped to pass 2 miles westward of it.
When the winds incline from Bast or E.S.E., keep near the Malay coast
in from 20 to 30 fathoms, until 25 or 30 miles past Sambilang islands, then
steer more southerly to get soundings of 16 or 18 fathoms on the north-west
edge of North Sands ; keep in these soundings, rounding the edge to the
south-west until Aroa islands and Parcelar hiU are sighted ; from the mast-
head both may be seen when on the north-west edge of North Sands.
Working to the eastward in the north-west west part of Malacca
strait, requires no special directions, (beyond those referred to in the sailing
passage during south-west monsoon, namely, to make for the Malay coast
and work along it), the strait being wide and clear, until the North sands