The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

378 CARIMATA STRAIT, [chap. viii.
black boulders awash at half tide ; around this bank there are depths of
15 to 20 fathoms, sand and shells, at the distance of one cable,
During a south-easterly breeze the sea on Lavender bank hag Ijeen
observed to break from aloft at a distance of 6 miles.
CIRENCESTER BANK (Karang Batuan), lying N. i W.,
distant 9 miles from Lavender bank, is half a mile long, and one cable broad.
A black rock nearly the centre of the bank, which dries for about
50 yards, is barely covered at high water. The depths around the bank
are from 29 to 34 fathoms.
Cirencester Shoal lies with Merajah island, Montaran group,
bearing N.W. f N., distant 22 miles, and the same distance northward
of Cirencester bank. It is half a cable in extent, with a least depth of 2
fathoms, and 13 to 17 fathoms close around. The water about the
bank is not discoloured, but tide rips may usually be seen,
A patch of 4| fathoms lies 1 J miles S.S.W. of Cirencester shoal.
Doubtful reef,—A reef awash, on which the German vessel
-S^e^^aw grounded in 1884, is reported to lie in about lat. 3° 7" S., long.
109° 17 E., or with Cirencester bank bearing S.W. by W. ^ W. distant
20 miles. As no observations were taken to determine the position of the
vessel when aground, the position of Stephan reef, and even its separate
existence from dangers already known, must be considered doubtful.
MONTARAN or MOMPARANG ISLANDS consist of a
group of islets, sand-banks, and coral reefs, extending 40 miles in an
easterly direction from the north-east coast of Billiton. They are all unin-
habited, but are frequented by the fishermen from the neighbouring coast
of Billiton. With the exception of Nangka the islands are low, and are
all covered with vegetation.
Between the islands are many dangerous coral reefs, steep-to, and the
whole group must be considered unsafe navigation for any but small
craft.
Tides,—It is high water, full and change, about 9h. 40m. in the
morning during north-west monsoon, and the same hour in the evening
during the south-east monsoon, rise from 4^ to 6 feet. See page 369.
WEST GROUP.—The west Montaran group consists of eight
islands, and several rocks above water,
Nangka (Tokokema) island, the most prominent of the
Montaran islands, is ];J miles long and three-quarters of a mile broad; it
rises in two densely wooded peaks, which at a distance appear like two
separate islands. The southern peak is 549 feet high, and the northern
peak 415 feet high.