The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

402 OUTER ROTJTB.-^BA'NKA. STRAIT TO SINGAPORE. [CHAr. ix.
irregular shape, and of considerable elevation, haviiig on its eastern
side a range of hills with a peak 1,440 feet high near the centre of the
range. It is only the east and north-east coasts of Sinkep and the dangers
oft" it which will be noticed here ; the other portions of the group belong
to the Inner route, by Varella and Durian straits, and are described at
page 438.
Dangers.—At 3| miles E. by S. from the south-east point of Sinkep
is the soutli end of a shoal, which from thence extends N.N.E. for 5 miles
with a breadth of 1^ miles. At each end is a patch of about 2 fathoms,
with depths of 4^ and 5 fathoms between. Cape Buku (the south point of
Sinkep) bearing West, leads one mile southward of this danger ; and the
eastern point of the island bearing North leads about the same distance
eastward.
Rocks and shoal water extend nearly a mile from the east point of
Sinkep, and the Saracen's soundings show a bank, with less than 5
fathoms, projecting 4 miles in a north-easterly direction from it. As no
soundings have been taken near the north-east coast of Sinkep, it should bo
approached with caution. Tliere are some rocks awash off the east sides
of the small islets lying between the north-east point of Sinkep and
Punubo.
LINGA ISLAND, lying about midway between Banka and Singapore
strait, is about 33 miles in extent, in a W.N.W. and E.S.Ii. direction,
but excepting at the southern part where the town and road are situated
the island is very little known and has never been surveyed. Upon its
southern part is a remarkable mountain, the peak of whch, rising to an
elevation of 3,920 feet, is split in two, forrning a sort of double peak, whicli
Horsburgh describes as " two peaks rising like spires from the summit of
the mountain," but which is more generally thought to resemble asses
ears, visible many miles in all directions.
The east extreme of Linga, named by the natives Tanjong Eung, from
its prominent position and pyramidal peak, 750 feet high, is conspicuous,
and visible in clear weather 30 miles off. Tanjong Ru may be known
by a saddle hill, C30 feet high, near it. These points make like islands
when above 13 miles distant.
Islets.—Rocks.—Pulo Meralle is an islet lying three-quarters of a
mile south-eastward of the hill on Eung point. Pulo Kaka, a larger islet
lying about half a mile off shore in a south direction from the same hill,
is surrounded by a reef which extends one mile oiF its south-west point-
Between Eung point and Tanjong Ru the coast forms a deep bight named
Tolo bay, on the east side of entrance to which is the small islet Diarom,
with some rocks awash around about it. Pulo Singsa, a small islet, lying
a little more than one mile to the southward of Tanjong Ru, is surrounded