The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CBAP. xt] DIEECTIONS. 455
, DIBECTIONS
—Banka Strait through Varella and
Durian Straits to Singapore.*—From the north entrance of
Banka strait, and westward of Frederick Henry rocks, in about 7 fathoms,
a N.N.W. course will lead towards Varella or Brahalla island, distant
about 78 miles. The bank along the Sumatra coast being shelving, the
soundings are usually the best guide, and the rule is to keep in from 5^ to
7 fathoms. In working, the coast may be approached with care to a depth
of 5 fathoms, observing that the bank, with from 4 to 5 fathoms water, ex-
tends from 10 to 12 mUes S.E. by E. from Tanjong Bon.
The tides near the shore are generally strong ; in the ofB.ng they are
irregular, and currents sometimes prevail.
In passing southward of VareUa island, keep iu 10 or 12 fathoms towards
Varella to give a berth to the bank of hard ground projecting from
Tanjong Bon ; thence in working along the coast to the westward, the
bank is steep-to, and may be approached occasionally, with care, to H or 7'
fathoms.
Siiinding towards Varella, remember the shoal of 2 fathoms water,
reported to lie E.S.E"., distant 3 mUes from that island (page 437). Being
westward of the narrow part of the passage between Tanjong Bon and
Varella, which is about 7 miles wide, a N.W. by W, course should be
steered towards the Alang T^ga islands, in depths of 9 to 12 fathoms. With
a working wind, the Sumatra coast may be approached to 6 or 7 fathoms.
When steering towards the Alang Tiga, the southernmost island must not
be brought more westerly than N.W. by N. until Seera or Reef island is
southward of E. by S. ^ S., to avoid Speke rock.
"In this track attention to the tides is indispensable, for they are often
irregular, sometimes setting out of the Jambi river to the north-eastnrard
at the rate of 2| or 3 miles an hour ; and the coast bank to the distance of
1-4 or 15 mUes westward of Tanjong Bon, is nearly dry at low spring tides,
in some places 4 or 5 miles from the shore.
Between Alang Tiga islands and Basso island the depths vary from
7* or 8 fathoms near Alang Tiga, to 13 and 14 near Basso ; deepening to
15 and 18 fathoms 2 miles eastward of Dato point.
- Having passed Alang Tiga at about 2 miles, a course about N. by W.
should be steered for the southernmost of the Three Brothers, bearing
from the Allang Tiga N. by W. ^ W. distant 63 miles ; when the peak of
Great Durian is seen over the South Brother, bearing N.N.W., it should
be steered for, passing on either side of South Brother. In working, be
* Mostly from Horsburgh. See Admiralty charts:—Banka strait to Singapore
No. 2,757 ! channels between Sumatra and Linga, &c.,No. 1,789; and.straits of Durian,
N,o., 2,402.