The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. X.] TrDBS.—DIBECTIONS. 427
The mainbody of the southern stream takes a general westerly direction
for Dumpo strait, much of it diverging to the southward through the
channels dividing the several groups of islands lying between Missana and
Dumpo, and a portion turniiig off to the north-west, in the direction of
Qarras;: this last isirjoined by the .streams flowing through, the Siplon and
adjacent channels, which, gradually trend away. to the north-westward
after they enter Ehio strait.
The monsoons and currents of the China sea very much affect the
regularity of the.tides^ which are strong, and, at the springs rush with
great velocity thi-ough the channels among the islands, forming numerous
eddies; and stirring up the mud. In the narrow part of the strait, about
West point, this is particularly the case, the tide running from 3 to 4 knots,
and sometimes even 4^ and 5 knots.*
DIRECTIONS.—Prom the Southward.t—A vessel intending
to proceed through Rhio strait, should, from a position about 12 or 13
miles north-eastward of Tanjong Diang, the eastern extreme of Linga
island, steer about N.W. ^ N., which, if care be taken to gi^ard against the
effects of the tide (particularly the ebb, which sets strongly to the eastward),
will take her to the fairway of the entrance to Bhio strait, and midway
between B'odong and Gin peaks, which are visible in clear weather from a
considerable distance.
In this track, if the course be duly preserved, the vessel will pass about
8 miles outside Crocodile rock, and 6 or 7 outside My bank, and Pollux
rock, which should not be approached under a depth of 12 fathoms, and
will have soundings of 15 to 13 fathoms, until abreast of Pollux rock,
when the depths will increase to 18 and 21 fathoms. These deeper
soundings will continue for 7 or 8 miles, when the depth.s will suddenly
decrease to 12 or 10 fathoms, jon the sand bank, which trends north-
eastward from Missana Island. -The depths upon this part of the bank
appear to be irregular, and it would seem that, a yeggel might get a cast
of 19 or 20 fathoms when crossing it. After she i§ fairly over the
bank the depths will increase to ,15 or 14 fathom^, and.continuesp for 3 or
4 miles, when ,
they will again become irregular, varying from 10 to 18
fathoms, until abreast ofPuIo Grin,
(At night or in thick weather, a vessel, from a position about 13 miles
north-east of Tanjong Diang, should steer a N.N.W. | W. course for
about 25 miles,and then N.W. i W.fpr, about, 30 miles, which, if proper
* H.M.S. Fly, in November, found the tide in the northern entrance to Ehio strait
setting to the southward at the rate of 3 miles an hour, at two hours after the time of
high water at Singapore (ahout half ebb in Subong bay), when the north-east stream
should have been running. .i ,,.',, ^
t Continued from page 410.