The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

cnAP.i.] MATTIE POINT.—PULO VARBLA. 29
Tides.—It is high water, fall and change, off Matties point at 3 h. ;
springs rise 7 to 10 feet. The tidal sireams run from one to two hours
later, and set at the rate of 2 to 3 miles an hour at springs.
Mattie Shoal is a dangerous sand bank 6 miles long, in an E.S.E.
and W.N.W. direction, one mile broad, and having depths of from one to
2 fathoms. There is a safe channel between the shoal and the mainland,
the narrowest part, 1^ miles, being off Mattie point. From the north-west
extreme of Mattie shoal, Pulo Varela peak bears N. \ W., Mattie point
S.S.W. ^ W., and Pulo Pandan B. by N.
At one mile southward of the south-east extreme of Mattie shoal is a
small patch having 16 feet water, easily cleared by attending to the bear-
ings of Pnlo Salanama and a remarkable single high tree near Batu Barra.
BATU BARRA RIVER.—The entrance to this river, situated
9^ miles south-eastward from Mattie point, is fronted by a mud-flat which
extends a considerable distance along the coast, and, within a depth of
18 feet, is from 3 to 5 miles off shore ; this flat has regular depths, and
extends to within 4 miles of Pulo Salanama. A wide spreading remarkable
tree is situated about 1^ miles westward of the river entrance.
Batu Barra river is about 300 yards wide, with regular depths to the
dry banks at its mouth. At a short distance from the entrance the river
divides into two creeks, which are almost dry at low water. About a mile
up the western branch is a town where the chief rajah resides ; on the
banks of the eastern branch is another town, and there are said to be
other towns farther up the river. The people cultivate rice and rattans.
Elephants abound inland, horses are also plentiful. Goats and poultry may
be procured at reasonable prices.
PULO VARELA, a small island, with a peak about 600 feet high,
is situated 22 miles from the nearest coast of Sumatra, nearly north
of Mattie point, and may be seen in clear weather at a distance of 28
miles.* An islet lies off the north-west point, and another close off the
Fouth end. In a little cove at the south end of Pulo Varela water may
be procured from a small run, and there is anchorage at one mile off the
south-east part of the island in 12 to 18 fathoms.
Firewood and good pins spars may be cut here, but boats landing should
be on their guard against natives from the adjacent coast, who frequent the
island.
Banks.—Northward of Pulo Varela is a bank having depths of 5 to 10
fathoms ;
its south extreme bears N. by W. | W. 7 miles from Pulo Varela,
• See also Admiralty chart, No. 793 b.