The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. 1.] COAST, DIRECTIONS. 51
are dangerous, being hardly visible in the south-west monsoon, and there
is often a very strong tide running past them.
DIRECTIONS.—Steam vessels from Penang and bound for Puket
should pass between Sangald rocks and Pulo Mohea, this being a clear
channel with 25 to 30 fathoms water. When about one mile off the south
point of Mohea, a course N.W. will lead up to the north point of Goh Mai
Tan, passing about 4 miles west of the Pilgrims. In this part the flood-
stream sets to the northward, the ebb to the southward or S.S.E.
Vessels proceeding in the reverse direction, may from off the south point
of Pulo Mohea, shape course to pass eastward of the Butong group. Pulo
Tengah, 654 feet high, lies in this channel nearly midway betv(reen the
Butongs and Pulo Trotau. By passing westward of Pulo Tengah, and
between it and Pin islet or reef which i& always above water, all danger
from the Black rocks reported to lie about 5 miles off the north-west side of
Pulo Trotau, as well as any other that may exist in that unsurveyed portion,
wiU be avoided. Thence course may be shaped for Pulo Laddas.
Small vessels bound to Queda may pass between the islands of Trotau
and Lankawi, and the mainland ; depths of 4 or 5 fathoms are said to be
found near the coast and 8 to 10 fathoms near the islands ; the shore of the
mainland abreast Lankawi island is skirted by a shoal mud-bank, which
extends a considerable distance. Avoiding this bank they must steer in
5 or G fathoms near the coast of Queda river.
PULO TROTAU is high and mountainous, the ranges rising to
about 2,000 feet, and one peak to 2,402 feet in height. The southern
extremity, Pyramid point, is a conspicuous hill 839 feet high. Black rock,
awash at low-water is reported to lie 4 or 5 miles off the north-west side of
the island.
Spire island, situated 21 miles E. by N. of Pyramid point, has a
remarkable spire-shaped peak, 625 feet high.
Sail rock, at one mile South of Spire island, is a square rock 108
feet high, resembling a sail. A rock 30 feet high lies 4 cables N.W. of
Sail rock.
BUTONG GROUP.—This group of islands, lying about 20 miles
W.N.W. from Lankawi, are well wooded and appear as one large island
until within a few miles of them. From the northward, Dome mountain is
seen over the eastern part of Eawi island, which is flat-topped, the peak of
Pulo Butong showing west of it.
These islands are steep-to, having no anchorage except off the south
shores, Water is plentiful on all the larger islands.
Observatory islet, on the south-west side of the group, is 94 feet
high and steep-to; the observation spot is on the north side in lat.
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