The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

364 DANGERS NORTHWARD OP GASPAR STRAIT, [chap. ni.
to pass about 3 miles eastward of Caspar island, and 6 or 7 miles westward
of Canning rook. Having passed Gaspar island, steer' to the northward
nntil it beai-s S. f W., upon which bearing it should be kept as long as it
can be seen.
This track leads about 4 miles westward of the shoal reported to lie
15 miles north-eastward of Magdalena reef; caution must be exercised
when in the locality until its existence is disproved.
If the wind should prevent a direct course from being steered, Gaspar
island should not be brought westward of N.N.W. until the vessel is
northward of Akbar shoal ; and, after Gaspar island is passed, it must be
kept westward of S. ^ W. in order to avoid the reefs northward of it.
To proceed Westward of Gaspar Island.—From a posi-
tion about one miie westward of Glassa rock, steer North until the peak
of Gaspar island bears S.E. ; when a N.W. course will lead between
Warren Hastings reefs and Tijong shoal ; but great caution must be
observed in the localities of these dangers. When Berikat point bears
S. by W., a vessel will be westward of Warren Hastings reefs and Tijong
shoal, and a N. by W. or N.N.W. course, according to ]the set of the tide,
will lead westward of Magdalena reef and Soembing shoal, and eastward
of Severn shoal, whence course must be shaped to avoid the Celestial reef
group.
If circumstances prevent a straight course from being steered, when
northward of Gaspar island, keep its summit between the bearings of
S.E. by S. and S.E. ^ E., which will keep the vessel clear of Warren
Hastings and Tijong reefs.
Berikat point bearing S. by W., leads westward of Warren Hastings
reefs and Tijong shoals, and Gaspar island bearing S.E. leads 5 miles
eastward of Sittard shoal ; but when westward of Warren Hastings reefs
and Tijong shoals it will be wise to edge away to the northward—^always
carefully guarding against tide and currents,—taking care not to bring
Gaspar peak to the southward of S.S.E., to avoid Magdalena reef and Soem-
bing shoal.
If proceeding between Berikat Point and Boompjes
Island, the point may be passed at the distance of 2 or 3 miles, and the
then proceed to the N.N.W., taking care not to bring
island at one mile ;
Boompjes island to the southward of S.E. by S., to avoid the south-west
extreme of Warren Hastings reefs.
Berikat point bearing S. by W. leads
westward of those reefs ; and bearing S. ^ E. leads eastward of Sittard
shoal.
The passage near the Banka coast is so beset with dangers, and others
may exist of which we at present know nothing, that we would strongly
advise vessels to give this exceedingly dangerous coast a wide berth.