The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. XI,] DIRECTIONS. 469
or N, by E. course, and pass into Singapore strait westward of Tree'
island.
Directions from Singapore Strait through. Durian
and Varella Straits to Banka Strait.*—Having proceeded as
fat as Raffles lighthouse, according to the directions given at page 109,
and brought it to bear W.N.W., or N.W. by W., distant about 1:| miles,
Cap island will be seen bearing about S.S.W., and kept upon this bearing
will lead about mid-channel between Helen Mar reef and Round island. In
working, Cap island must not be brought westward of S.S.W. f W. when
near Helen Mar reef, or southward of S. by W. ^ W., when off Round
island.
Having passed westward of Cap island, a course about S.W. or S.W.by S.
may be steered towards the Sabong shore, but as before noticed, care
is necessary to guard against the effects of the tide in this locality.
Cap island kept on a N.E. by N. bearing, will lead well to the westward
of the dangers near Doncan island, and after that island is passed, ifr should
not be brought northward of N.Ei by E. until a depth of 7 fathoms be
obtained near the Sabong shore, to avoid getting too near the dangers lying
off the Twins and Red island.
With a commanding breeze, the passage eastward "of Middleburgh shoal
may be taken by keeping the peak of False Durian in line with the east
point of North Passage island, which will lead mid-way between the shoal
and the rocky patch : the water deepens towards the Middleburgh shoal,
it being steep-to all around. To prevent being set upon it in light winds,
caution is requisite, as the tides run here from 3 to 4 miles an hour at times,
with strong ripplings.
A vessel from the direction of Malacca strait, and being abreast of Little
Carimon, with its northern end bearing West about 2^ miles, a S.E. by S.
course will carry her clear of the mud-banks fronting the low land of Great
Carimon, in depths of 7 to 8 fathoms, until abreast of Fandan island.
With a working wind, from Little Carimon the soundings are the best guide
ii$, standing towards the mud-banks fronting Great Carimon, which ought
not to be approached to a less depth than 6 fathoms,, remembering that the
peaks of Little Carimon in line bearing about N.W. leads close to the edges
of the shoal banks ; the depths in the oflJng are from 14 to 16 fathoms
mud.
When the strait between Great Carimon and Sabong is open, the depths
become irregular ; and here caution is requisite with a working wind, as
the tides set strong through this strait to the westward at times. When
the north end of Pandan bears West about 3 miles, in about 8 fathoms, a
* Chiefly from Horsburgh, Vol. 2.