The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

18 MAIACOA STRAIT.—SUMATRA COAST. [chap. i.
It may be generally remarked during this season that if the canoes
are not seen out fishing before 7 or 8 a.m. that a fresh breeze may be
expected during the day.
Supplies.—The villages along the coast are small, generally con-
taining sixty to eighty huts, which are constructed of bamboos and mats
The men are mostly well dressed, and carry a knife, or kris, in their waist.
They are not to be trusted much if any temptation be in the way. Great
numbers of the natives go out daily to fish, and the entrances to the dif-
ferent creeks leading to the villages, which are not perceptible from the
anchorage, may be found by observing the canoes enter on their return from
fishing.
On this part of the coast, supplies, such as fowls, eggs, and fruit, are
scarce, but goats may be procured. Large herds of cattle may be seen
grazing on the plain, but the natives have an objection fo part with them.
"Water. —Fresh water may be procured in most of the creeks between
Sawang, Enjung creek, and Telok Samoi, but to the westward of Sawang
the creeks are all salt water.
Pedro Point (Tanjong Batu), the north point of Sumatra, is situated
13 miles E.N.E. from Achi head, and may be approached to a depth of
9 or 1 fathoms at the distance of one mile. The point is low, terminating
in a green slope with a few trees, and is fringed by a rocky shoal which
extends a quarter of a mile seaward. A bluff formed by high land is
situated 1^ miles westward of Pedro point. The bottom in this vicinity
is rocky, and the soundings do not extend more than 1^ or 2 miles from the
shore.
A reef with a depth of 2| fathoms, lies half a mile off the shore, westward
of Krang Rajah bay, at 3^ miles eastward of Pedro point.
Tanjong Batu Putih, or White cliff, lies 12 miles eastward of
Pedro point, and may be known by a tree and a ruin near its extremity
it is conspicuous when seen from the eastward. Between Pedro point and
Tanjong Batu Putih is formed Krang Bajah or Deep Water bay, at the
bottom of which is Rajah village, with depth of 20 fathoms within a quarter
of a mile from the shore.
Batu Pedir, situated 18 miles eastward of Tanjong Batu Putih, may
be known by some bushy trees on its summit and by Golden mountain
which bears from the point W. by S. ^ S.
DIRECTIONS.—In sailing from Achi along this part of the coast
a vessel should keep near the shore, as in most parts anchorage may, if
necessary, be found, and there is seldom any hidden danger more than half
a mile from the shore. Also the bank of soundings is steep-to, with
westerly and variable currents outside its limits, and calms are more pre-
valent in the offing than when the vessel is in soundings. Every advantage
;