The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. IX.] EAST COAST OF BENTAN. 409
about 2 miles deep, indented with several small bights or coves. Over
the point at about one mile north-west of Tanjong Blanhap is a conspicuous
tree, the top of which is 252 feet above the sea; 2 miles W.N.W.
of the tree is a hill, 420 feet high. Three-quarters of a mile northward of
this hill, close to the coast line on the deepest part of the large bay, is
another, named Double Tree hill, 334 feet high.
The shore of this part of Bentan is for the most part fronted by a reef
which projects in some places to the distance of half a mile, and just to
the northward of the point, upon which stands the conspicuous tree, is an
extensive bed of rocks, between which and the point north-westward of
it, is Boat cove, apparently a convenient place for landing.
AATater.—Several small streams of fresh water discharge themselves
near the middle of this bay, but the watering place appears to be about one
mile northward of Boat cove.
Soundings.—From Black rock, which is steep-to, to Pulo Kuku
(Coco), a small island lying close to the eastern face of Tanjong Brakit, and
which may be approached to half a mile, the soundings shoal gradually,
and the lead is a good guide. (For coast to the westward see page 130.)
Tides.—It is high water, full and change, at Tanjong Brakit, the
north-east point of Bentan, at llh. 0p.m. ; at Pulo Suto at 3h. 40m.;
at Pulo Panjang at 4 h. 20 m. ; at Pulo Borean at 6 h. m. ; and at Pulo
Terobi at 1 h. m. ;* the rise is 9 feet, but on extraordinary occasions it is
12 feet.
During the shifting months of the monsoons the tidal streams are regular,
but during their strength the surface current will be always more or less
governed by the wind.
The flood tidal wave comes from the northward, and runs nearly parallel
to the east coast of Bentan, along its southern side towards Abang strait,
and to the northward in Bhio strait, meeting another tide from Singapore
strait near the town of Ehio.
The flood sets to the southward along the east coast of Linga, and close
to Tanjong Euug, its south-eastern extreme ; from thence it runs West to
Ponubo strait and obliquely across Linga bay to Varella strait. From
Tanjong Eung to Pulo Taya, and onwards to Banka strait, its direction is
nearly South ; another stream from about 2 miles south of Taya sets
towards Varella strait..
The ebb stream sets, in the opposite direction, and the meeting of this
stream from Banka and Varella strait was observed to take place between
Pulo Taya and Tuju islands.
"Winds.—During the shifting months of the south-east monsoon
sailing vessels are often five and six weeks in making the passage from
* Probably the south-east monsoon period.