The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

368 CAEIMA.TA SIRAIT. [ohai«. viii.
Besides the Main, channel, limited to the north-eastward by the Carimala
islands, and to the south-westward by the Montaran islands and Billiton, there
are several other channels between the numerous islands lying eastward and
north-eastward of Oarimata, and between it and the Borneo coast ; the eastern
of these known as Greig and Inner channels, have a regular tide, and con-
venient depths for anchoring, and are therefore much frequented by vessels
working through the strait ; it being quite impossible to work through the
Main channel against a strong monsoon, and a continuous rapid current
setting to leeward.
The little coast traffic- in the strait is almost confined to the steamers
of the Billiton tin mining company.
WINDS AND WEATHER.—South-east Monsoon —
As a rule, the settled weather of the south-east monsoon can be counted on
about the end of May ; the wind then blows strongly between S.E. and
S.S.E. until the beginning of October, accompanied by a dry but misty
atmosphere. Although it is clear overhead, the horizon very seldom clears
during this season, and the land is difficult to distinguish ; about mid-day
is the clearest period. The reflected light thrown upon the water from
this white mist is locally named " Tongara putih " or white south-
easter.*
Change of the Monsoons.—In the beginning of October the
character of the weather changes, light S.E. and southerly winds are felt
up to mid-day, and are succeeded by land breezes from across the marshes
of the west coast of Borneo, and are found a considerable distance from the
shore. Thunder storms, much rain and violent squalls from the westward,
alternating with successive days of calm fair weather, usher in the north
Euphrosjne, lat. 3° 25^' S., long. 109° 41' E. Oliviera, lat. 3° 10' S., long. 109° 47' E.
Waller, 3^ miles west of Ontario reef. Rival, lat. 1° 47' S., long. 108° 15|' E.
Condor, 2° 22' S., long. 108° 37' E. Goan, 6 miles S. by E. from Blackrock. Amur,
2 miles north-west of Vogelnest island. Omni, one mile W. by N. J N. from Steil
island. Spiritof the North, 1 J miles N.W. of North Papan Island. Bodgers 5 miles
west of Pelapi (Melapies) islands. Linge, 5i miles S. | E. from Masien Tiga islands.
Columbus, lat. 0° 51' S., long. 108° 16' E. Crescent, lat. 1° 10' S., long. 108° 38' E.
Wellesley, lat. 1° 18' S., long. 108° 34j' E. Hoogly, lat. 1° 35' S., long. 108° 12' E.
and a shoal E.N.E. distant 7 miles from Pigeon island (Pulo Kanis).
With regard to some of these reported shoals, Lieut. Hoskyn, commanding H.M.
surveying vessel Flying Fish, remarks, that on three different occasions whilst at work
in the neighbourhood of the Greig and Gwalia shoals, large floating masses of vegetable
One of these was so large that it could be
matter and other debris were fallen in with .
seen from the bridge at a distance of seven or eight miles, and so dense that at a
moderate distance it might readily have been mistaken in daylight for a rock. Another
bore a striking resemblance to a small sand-bank with a bush on it, and was visible from
5 to 6 miles.
* See Admiralty Wind and Current charts, for Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
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