The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. XI.] SINKEP ISLAND.—JAMBIB BAY. 439
this pinnacle nearly midway between Aaak Seera and Sinkep ; vessels
navigating eastward of Seera islands mast avoid these patches.
Some patches of 4^ and 5
Anak Seera.
fathoms, lie from 4 to 6 miles northward of
Speke rock, lies W. by N. ^ N. about 9 miles from Seera island. It
is small, and uncovers at two-thirds ebb, showing as a small black rock
about the size of a boat, with depths of 8 fathoms close-to. Buku point
kept open to the southward of Seera island, leads southward, and Mudiu
island bearing N.W. by N. leads to the westward.
There is a safe passage between Speke rock and Seera island, avoiding
the 4 fathoms patch lying about midway ; and also between Speke rock
and Alang-Tiga islands, avoiding Atkin rock. The soundings in this
passage ai'e generally from 6 to 8 fathoms, muddy bottom, sometimes sand;,
but the channel westward of Alang Tiga is preferable, being clear of
danger.
Alaug-Tiga Islands lying 29 miles north-westward of Varella,
are a group of five small islands, and some rocks above water. The three
principal islands are high, and may be seen from a distance of 24 or 23
miles, and the others 13 or 14 miles. They may be passed nt a prudent
distance on their western side ; the depths being mostly from 6 to 9
fathoms, mud, in the fair channel. In working, the coast of Sumatra may
be approached to 6 fathoms water, and from this depth to 8 or 9 fathoms
towards the islands is a fair track, although the soundings are not always-
regular, 7 fathojoas being the general depth directly westwai'd of the islands
until near the mainland.
Atkin rock is said to be a small pinnacle which uncovers at two-
thirds ebb, and steep-to ; when covered, unless the tide is running strong,
there is no indication of it.* The marks given for the rock are, the west
extreme of Beralas, just shut in by the east extreme of Alang Tiga
island, and the south extreme of Mudiu island bearing N.W. by W. ^ W.,
distant three-quarters of a mile.
JAMBI BAY. — From Tanjong Bon (p.ige 437) the coast of
Sumatra trends sharply to the westward, forming Jambi bay and the delta
of the Jambi river, the principal entrance of which, named Nior river,
is situated about 33 mi)es from that point. This coast is fronted by a mud
ank which in places extends nearly 7 miles ofi'.
Berba island lies off the eastern mouth of the river, 10 miles westward
of Tanjong Bon.
Anchorage.—There appears to be good anchorage in 6 to 8 fathoms,
7 or 8 miles northward of Nior river.
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* H.M.S. Riflenum, in February 1864, searched in vain for this rock.
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