The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP.!.] THE BROTHEBS.—STJNGI ROKAN. 31
Sungi Kewalu is about one mile wide in the entrance, and has a least
depth of one fathom for about 15 miles.
Sungi Paniying, between Kewalu, and Tanjong Muara the east point of
Lidung bay, is nearly 2 miles wide in the entrance, and one mile wide
for a distance of 10 miles, where it divides into two branches. The depth
in the river is from 1^ to 4 fathoms, and the channel over the bar, which
lies N.E. from Tanjong Muara, has about l^ fathoms, with hard ground
nearly dry at low water bordering the north side of it.
Caution.—The coast from Tanjong Pasir, the easternmost point
of Lidung bay, ti'ends south-eastward about 45 miles to the entrance to
Sungi Eokan. It is fronted by extensive flats and mud banks reaching off
nearly to Aroa islands, and extending eastward past Rokan river to Pulo
Supat, nearly filling the space between that island and South Sands.
This coast has not been surveyed, but being far out of the track of
vessels proceeding through Malacca strait, should be avoided. Vessels
finding themselves in this neighbourhood must therefore trust to a good
look-out aloft, as the shoals can generally be seen in clear weather,
and to the slight information to be derived from the chart. The lead is
not of much use, as the shoals are said to be steep-to, but its use must not
on that account be neglected.
SUNGI ROKAN, one of the largest rivers of Sumatra, has off its
entrance two low wooded islands, Pulo Halang Besar and Pulo Halang
Kechil. The former is, as its name implies, the larger of the two islands,
and lies 3 miles northward of the other. There is a passage of IJ to 2
fathoms water between them leading into the river, and a passage with
about the same depth lying due north of Tanjong Perbabuan, the eastern
point of the entrance.
Eokan river is about 4 miles broad just within Pulo Halang Kechil,
decreasing in breadth to 2 miles at Pulo Beting, which lies in mid- channel
at about 14 miles from the entrance ; thence the river gradually decreases
in width to half a mile at Pulo Papan, about 35 miles from the entrance,
beyond which little is known. The village of Tanah Putih is about 3
miles below Pulo Papan, on. the left bank.
Southward of Pulo Papan, it appears to trend with numerous windings
to its source in the mountains, a distance of 100 miles or more. Several
large villages subject to the Rajah of Siak are said to exist on its banks.
Tides.—It is high water, full and change, at the entrance of the river,
at 5h., springs rise 12 feet. The tides are said to run in the river at the
rate of SJ miles an hour at springs, producing a bore.
PULO RUPAT and PULO MEDANG, lying northward
of it, form a circle of about 25 miles in diameter ; they are separated by
a narrow strait named Salat Morong. North-westward of these islands