The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

376 CAKIMATA STRAIT. [chap.viii.
Between Kebatu island and Grace reef there is a clear channel 3| miles
wide, with depths of 14 fathoms, mud.
Ketapaug island, lying about 8^ miles S. ^ W. from Kalumpang,
the south point of Billiton, is a low, swampy, but wooded island about a third
of a mile in diameter, and surrounded by a reef, which on the eastern side
extends to the distance of 2 cables, with depths of 8 and 9 fathoms around it.
The tops of the trees are visible from a distance of about 16 miles, and
form a good landmark for Balok bay.
SCHAARVOGEL ISLANDS, lying from 12 to 20 miles southeastward
of Tapok point, are low, thickly wooded, (the tops of the trees
being about 100 feet high), and surrounded by reefs and sand banks, many
of which are steep-to, the lead giving no indication when approaching them.
Rotan, the northern island is the largest, and has a remarkably tali
tree near its centre, visible from a distance of 18 miles j
reefs extend about
3 miles north-east and south-west of the island. There is a passage through
the gi'oup, both east and west of Penerus island, situated 3 miles S.S.E. of
Rotan, and also westward of Eotan island. Pengapiet, the south-eastern
island, is divided into two by a channel dry at low water.
The three eastern islands are named Langke, Lung, and Ayer Masin,
Langke being the southernmost. Patches of coral extend about 4 miles
north-eastward, and 3 miles south-westward of the group, and there are
many detached patche.s north-eastward and eastward of the Schaarvogel
islands.
Sand banks extend several miles N.N.E. and S.S.W. of Schaarvogel
islands or parallel to the Billiton coast, with depths of 8 or 9 fathoms of
water; with several isolated and dangerous coral reefs on them. Between
these banks are channels with depths of 15 to 20 fathoms, mud, or sand
and mud. Tide vips may generally be observed over this irregular
bottom, and with fresh breezes some of the shoals will be seen to break.
It is advisable to pass well to the eastward of the patches now to be
described.
East Protet reef, having one fathom water, and 12 fathoms around,
nearly always breaks. It is 3 cables long, one cable wide, and lies with
the high tree on Rotan island bearing S.S.W. f W., distant 14^ miles ;
strong ripplings have been observed about 2 miles north-eastward of the
slioal.
West Protet reef with if fathoms water, lies W. by N. i N.,
distant 2^ miles from East Protet.
Shallow patches also lie S.S.E. | E., distant 2| miles; S.W. nearly 3
miles ; South 6^ miles ; S. by W. ^ W. 6^ miles, and a patch of 3^ fa,thoms
Soulh 8^ miles from East Protet; the latter patch also lies with the tree
on Rotan island bearing S.W. by W. f W., distant about 8^ miles.