The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

tjMAr. viir.j UAKIMATA ISLANDS.— PAP A.K ISLANDS. 385
China shoal lies about 6 miles N. | W. from Erickson shoal ; it
is about 5 cables long, and 3 cables broad, and the depth of water varies
from less than 6 feet to 4 fathoms.
South Greig shoal is a small patch of coral with 5 fathoms water,
lying 2 miles north of China shoal.
Middle Greig shoal, with 2 fathoms water, is about 2 cables in
length, and steep-to on the south and west sides, there being 10 to 14
fathoms close to its outer edge ; on the north and east sides the soundings
are more gradual.
North Greig shoal, the northernmost of this group, is a small
latch witii 4 fathoms water, and 11 to 13 fathoms at the distance of one
cable. It is situated 2 miles N.N.E. of Middle Greig, and ISJ miles
N. by W. from Gwalia, the southern shoal of the group. Position, lat.
0° 521' S., long. 108° .32^' E.
Cailtion.—The shoals, embraced between the Gwalia and North
Greig shoals, rise from a depth of 10 to 13 fathoms. They are rarely
visible either from the deck or mast head from the green nature of the
surrounding bottom, and from the abruptness with which they rise the
lead will seldom give sufficient warning to enable a danger to be avoided.
Vessels are therefore recommended to give this neighbourhood a wide
berth. On the western side of the reefs this may always be secured by
keeping in not less than 16 fathoms water.
VOGELNEST (Birds Nest) ISLANDS, so named from
being the resort of the birds which build the edible nests, are a
group of five islands lying 20 miles E.S. E. of Carimata island ; between
the eastern island and the others there is a channel 2 miles wide having
from 9 to 13 fathoms. The western group is surrounded by a reef extend-
ing 2 cables from the shore, and reefs extend 2 cables N.N.E. from the
eastern extremes of the island, having rocks above water.
Slack Rock, or islet, lies 4^ miles S.W. of the Vogelnest group.
Two rocks, also above water, lie half a mile south-eastward of Black rock.
All these are steep-to, having from 9 to 11 fathoms at a short distance.
Krawang islands are three rocky islets, and a rock lying 2 cables
W. by S. from the northern islet. Between the north and two south
islets there is a narrow passage of 12 to 15 fathoms water. Between
these islets and the "Vogelnests, the depths are from 9 to 11 fathoms.
PAPAN ISLANDS consists of a group of six rocky islands thickly
wooded, and divided into groups of three by a channel about one mile wide.
Meleidong, the eastern island, is the largest and afEords good shelter on
its east side during westerly winds, having also a convenient landing-place
for boats in a small bay near the south extreme.
TJ 20665. B B