The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. IX.] DOCAH ISLAND.—SlNKEP ISLAND, 401
PULO TAYA,* situated about 35 miles north-westward of Tuju
islands, is of granite formation, covered witli wood, uninhabited, and rises to
a double pealc 630 feet above the sea ; the northern peak is about 60 feet
less in elevation than the southern one, and both peaks when in line
on a N. hj E. and S. by W. bearing, show as a single triiingular peak.
Two sandy bays are formed in the bight between the hills, and there are
two small islets off its north-east side. The whole shore of the island is
steep-to, and may be approached to a distance of 3 cables.
"Water.—There is a spring of excellent water on the western side of
Taya, and a boat at high tide can approach it to within 40 feet, but at low
tide rocks extend nearly a cable from the sand. The knowledge of this is
important to the mariner, as no similar facility for watering occurs between
Banka and Ehio strait. In the fine season boats come here from Linga
seeking turtle.
Castor bank is a long ridge of coral and sand, about one mile
wide, extending 13 miles. in a N.E. by N. direction from Pulo Taya.
The general depths on it are 8 to 10 fathoms, but on one part, N.E.
10 miles from Pulo Taya, there is a ridge about one mile in extent,
and its eastern side steep-to, with only 5 fathoms. The bank is famous for
a red species of fish, called from their colour Ikan Merah.
Pulo Taya bearing S."W. ^ W., will lead one mile eastward of the shoal
parts of Castor bank, and bearing S.W. by S. the same distance to the
westward. Diang or Eiang, the east point of Linga (which, with Gubang
point to the westward of it, appears at a distance like two islands), bearing
N.N.W., will lead about 4 miles north-eastward of Castor bank.
Alang Kalem or Ilchester Bank is about 2^ miles in length,
Ij miles in breadth within a depth of 3 fathoms, and steep-to, with a least
depth of one fathom on two shoal heads, towards the centre. From these
Pulo Taya bears S. ^ W., and Pulo Meralie off the east point of Linga,
N. by E., distant 9 to 10 miles.
To pass eastward of this danger, Pulo Meralie must not be brought to
the eastward of North, nor Pulo Taya to the southward of S. by W.
SINKEP ISLAND, Pulo Punubo, and two islands to the
westward, appear from a distance like one large island, being separajted
onilty by narrow chanpjels. They lie off the south-western part ,of Linga,
and, together ;7i!ifith some adjoinj;ig,, islets and shoal spots, cover a space
from 20 10:24 miles., Sinkep, the .largest island of the group,, is of
* The information.relatipgtO: Puio Taya, Castor bank, and Linga island, tpgefher
with Frederick, reef and the wHole of the islands and dangers off the east coast of
Biritan^, has been detived prin(iipally from the restilt of the surveys by Mr. StantOn,
Master commandiiig-H.M. surveying vessel Saracen, in 1860-61.
2066.5. C e