The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

370 CARIMA.TA STRAIT. [Chap. vii.
vessels are advised to give them a wide berth. The latter, with the coast
will first be described, followed by the Schaarvogel islands and the reefs
bordering the main straits.
BILLITON ISLAND, about 43 miles in diameter, forms 'the
western side of Carimata strait. The island is unusually flat, and wooded,
with several scattered mountains, but no ranges of them. The north coast
is higher and more rocky than the east and south-east sides. The isltad
is but thinly populated, and few inhabitants will be seen except in the
mining districts. Fishermen will be met with along the coast, and at the
Montaran islands, but they with their families live in boats, and' move
about to diflferent localities. They are quite harmless, and it is stated will
assist shipwrecked mariners. The population of Billiton island iS' about
32,000, including 8,000 Chinese miners. Supplies cannot be procured on
the eastern shores.
Laudmarks.—The hills eastward of Krawang point, the south-west
extreme of Billiton island, attain an elevation of 1,166 feet, but will not
often be seen by vessels passing southward of White island ; Eotan island,
of the Schaarvogel group is visible about 18 miles in clear weather, and
Maleidong island near the coast, north-westward of Eotan, has a remarkable
hill visible about 20 miles ; these are useful marks for vessels iiorthward of
rScharvogel islands, or that are rather far to the westward. Burung
Mandi, 1,417 feet in height, near the east point of Billiton, has two peaks,
and is a conspicuous mark. On the north coast is Kelapa Kampit and
Sekajuhills 17 miles apart, with a lower hill between them.
Sekaju 557 feet high, has a cra,ter-like top, With a bare patch of red stones
on its eastern side. Kampit is 715 feet high, conical, and easily recognised.
Tajem Bini and Tajem Laki, the highest peaks of Billiton situated 14
miles from the north shore of the island, are two very sharp peaks, each
about 1,670 feet in height and conspicuous marks in clear weather.
SOUTH COAST.—From Ki'awang point, the south-west extreme of
Billiton, the coast trends eastward for about 14 miles to Tanjong Lingka,
the west point of Balok bay, whence jt trends sharply to the northward.
This coast should not be approached within 4 or 5 miles, on account of
off-lying shoals and islets. At about 2 miles within Lingka point, is
Billiton hill, 410 feet in height, and about 12 miles north-eastward is
Mengarden, 774 feet high, witL Tiung peak eastward of it, forming useful
marks in clear weather.
BALOE BAY, between Lingka and Kalumpang points, is about
11 miles wide, and to Balok river at its head is about ,8 miles deep.. The
bay is much encumbered with shoals, but the most dangerous of those
bordering the channel to the settlement- are marked by beacons, which
appear to afford easy navigation.