The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

38 MALACCA STRAIT.—MALAY COAST. [ohap. i.
Between the east coast and i'uloPanjang. there is a broad channel in which
the flood stream sets to the northward andtlie ebb stream to the southward,
at the rate of 2 to 3 knots an hour.
PUKET HARBOUR
ward of Khelong bay. ,
Puket
(generally known as Tonkah), lies north-
is the principal place in Junkseylon,
the residence of the Eajah, and the only port frequented by coasting steam
vessels. The only export is tin, of which about 6,000 tons leave Puket
every year.*
Pulo Siri (Cirie), an island only separated from the shore by a narrow
creek, which at low water is impassable even for boats, foi'ms the north-
east extreme of Puket harbour ; its south-east point is named Lem Atpha.
Town.—The town of Puket lies about one mile up a small creek. At
high water boats can ascend to the town, but at low water they can only
reach the gtone pier by the harbour master's office, from which a road
leads to the town. The buildings in Puket are toostly wooden houses with
thatched roofs, but there are a few brick buildings. The principal are, the
Grovernment house, the residence of the Siaioese Royal Commissioner, the
stamp office for tin, the barracks and Commandant's house, and several tin-
smelting houses.
Mails.—There is a weekly mail service between Puket and Penang,
and a fortnightly mail to Rangoon and intermediate ports.
Supplies.— Fresh beef is difficult to procure, but poultry and vege-
tables are plentiful and can be obtained at reasonable prices. Water (not
very good) is brought alongside at 4 dollars per 1,000 gallons. Coal
cannot be procured, but firewood can be purchased at 8 dollars per 1,000
pieces. Good fresh water can be taken from two wells, one on Goh
Tapau-jai (Pulo Kapal Besar), the other on the north side of Nambo point,
the point to the north-west of that island.
Six miles west of Puket is the town of Kathu, containing about 8,000
inhabitants, principally Chinese miners. There is a good road between
Puket and Kathu.
Anchorage.—The harbour is divided into two anchorages by a sandy
flat, over which there is only from 6 to 9 feet at low-water spring tides,
therefore, only small vessels can go into the inner harbour. Large vessels
should anchor in, from 4 to 5 fathoms, about 2 or 3 cables southward of the
black buoy which marks the south side of the sandy flat. A red buoy
marks the north side of the flat, and small vessels may anchor in 2^ fathoms
at low water about 3 cables to the northward of this buoy..
Tides.—It : is high water, full and change, in Puket harbour at
lOh. 10m., springs rise 9 feet, neaps 7 feet ; during the south-west monsoon
* ,See Admiralty.plan :—Pakfet harbour, No. 843 j scale, m = l*95:inohes.;