The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. VII.] BELVEDERE ROCK.—EMEBAXD ISLE SHOAL. 363
CELESTIAL HEEFS, are thesouth-easterajnost of a group of
reefs extending 16 miles in an east and west directiop. Celestial reefs
consist of three patches occupying a space half a mile in extent ; the least
water is If fathoms, situated in lat. 1° 12J' S., long. 106° 46f' E,
Between and around these reefs, which are steep-to, the depths are from
18 to 22 fathoms.
Deva Reefs, consist of four shallow heads, about one mile in extent,
and steep-to, lying about 2 miles northward of Celestial reefs.
Wild Pigeon Shoal, lying about 5 miles westward of Celestial
reefs, consists of two shoal patches half a cable apart, and each half a
cable in extent ; the least depth is one fathom, with 16 to 19 fathoms
around.
Sawkins Reef, li cables in extent and steep-to, has a least depth
of 4^ fathoms, with 16 to 19 fathoms around. It lies 7 miles north-west-
ward of Celestial reefs. A patch of If fathoms lies 2 miles south-eastward
of Hawkins reef, about midway between Wild Pigeon and Vega shoals.
Vega Shoal consists of two shoal patches one cable in extent and
steep-to, with depths of 3 and 4 fathoms.
Ingram Reef,
is 3 cables in extent, steep-to, has a least depth of
4 feet, with 17 fathoms around, and lies 3 miles westward of Vega shoal.
Ingram reef is the north-western reef of this group, and 13J miles distant
from Celestial reefs. A patch of ^ 4f fathoms lies 4 miles westward of
Ingram reef, and 7 fathoms has been found nearly 2 miles northward of
Ingram reef.
Caution.—This neighbourhood must be navigated with great caution,
and the whole group should be given a wide berth.
Emerald Isle Shoal, on which the American ship Emerald
Isle, drawing 22 feet, touched, lies approximately in lat. 0° 59' S.,
long. 107° 2\' E.
Soundings were tried for immediately after passing over the shoal, but
bottom was not reached although discoloured water was distinctly visible
where the ship had touched.
DIRECTIONS.—Prom Gaspar Strait to the North-
Ward.-T-Most vessels bound to the northward from Gaspar strait prefer
passing eastward of Gaspar island, which is the safer route ; but some,
especially when bound to Singapo;re by Ehio strait, prefer the less, safe. but
more direct route through the. shoals westward of that island.
To proceed Eastward of Gaspar Island with a fair wind
a vessel should, as before directed in pages 339, 344, or 355, steer about
N. by E. if she passed through Macclesfield channel, or about N. A W. or
N. by W, \ W. if she passed through either Stolze or Clements channels,