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Appendix No. 9.
NETHERLANDS.
end of the island is the town of Tjilatjap, standing on a wedge-shaped spit bounded on the west by the River Tydonan, and on the east and south by the sea. The comparatively dry (it cannot be called high) land on which the town stands, extends to the north-east for some miles in a gradually narrowing strip, and at last the head marshes of the Tjitando blend with those at the mouth of the Serajo, the causeway of the great post road forming a complete defile. Along the coast to the eastward extends a low irrigated or marshy country several miles in width, through which runs into the sea the River Serajo, navigable far into the interior by native boats, and further on the Djettis; both rivers have shallow bars at their mouths, on this coast peculiarly dangerous.
A range of mountains, across which there is only one carriage-road for many miles, runs parallel to the sea, generally at some miles distant, but immediately north of Tjilatjap, a spur extends quite close to the Tjilatjap spit; it will thus be seen that Tjilatjap is surrounded on all sides by the sea or by marshes backed by ranges of hills. As might be supposed from its position, Tjilatjap is not a healthy place.
Tjilatjap is visited once a month by steamer; with the west and north-west, it is only connected by boat traffic, and the bridle road which runs through the hills in its rear, but the great post-road runs through Adhiredjo to Gombong and Poerworedjo, while good branch carriage-roads run, one along the shore, another to Banjoemas through a pass in the hills.
As has been already mentioned, it is proposed to join Tjilatjap with the eastern and even the western railway systems, and also to connect it by canal with Soerabaia; both the railway and canal schemes, especially the latter, are still in the region of propositions.
Some of the maps show a canal connecting the Tjilatjap Harbour with the Serajo inside the bar, but whether this is a boat or irrigation channel is not known; the Serajo does not appear to be bridged.
The Ports of Tjilatjap and the Titandjoy.
There are two entrances to the westward of the Island of Tjilatjap, affording more or less shelte according to the wind; but both channels are intricate and dangerous, and almost impracticable in southern winds; the only anchorage which is at the same time deep and safe, with good holding-ground, is a limited space opposite Banting Mattie; further in there is only anchorage for vessels of low draught, and even in the space for anchorage of large vessels, they are recommended to moor to avoid the banks and rocks. Landing can, of course, be effected at Banting Mattie, or any point within it, and vessels of low draught could, with proper pilots, make their way through to the Tjilatjap side.
for
On the Tjilatjap side, in the west monsoon, there is shelter in Schildpadden, or Adhiredjo Bay, the largest fleet, and boats could land along the shore for three months without encountering a very heavy surf, but the west monsoon is the wet season, unfavourable for operations in the interior; when the weather becomes finer the shore becomes dangerous or impracticable-even fishing operations being suspended.
Inside the harbour there is perfect protection at all seasons. The harbour is formed by the Island of Tjilatjap, the coast of the mainland, and a sand-bank, called the "Hard Sand," dry at low water, which runs out in a south-easterly direction to within a couple of cables of Karang-Bolong Point. A very The channel is narrow and winding, with variable currents caused by the tide and rivers. complete series of beacons line the shore, and show the way in, but even with their help, great care is necessary to avoid touching the banks, as at one point the channel is only 220 yards wide, sailing- vessels must be warped in; in the middle of the channel there are from 4 to 9 fathoms,* with a few spots which only carry 20 feet. The greatest rise of the tide is 6 feet; the harbour inside is about 3 miles in length, and from a quarter to half-a-mile in width; from 4 to 5 fathoms, with a few places up to 9 fathoms, but it could, no doubt, be greatly enlarged by dredging. In the bight opposite the town there is a bank of mud a mile in length, and half-a-mile in width, the whole of which could, no doubt, be dredged away; indeed, it appears possible, by the erection of a breakwater in a line of 3 fathoms between the Karang-Bolong Point and the mainland, to create a harbour of a total area of some 5 square miles by dredging, as at the Batavia new port.
There is plenty of wood for fuel on Tjilatjap, and even spars for topmasts, and supplies are plentiful at the town, but there are few ships stores.
Fortifications of Tjilatjap.
In the 1860 List there are the following works :---
Of the 4th Class, the battery on Banting Mattie, guarding the anchorage of the western entrance; this was disclassed as far back as 1863.
Of the 3rd Class, the coast batteries, Karang Bolong and Banjoe Nappa on the northern side of the island, and the southern side of the harbour entrance at its eastern end, these are still retained; no new ones have as yet been officially added, but work has been going on from time to time on the forti- fications for several years past, but whether entirely expended on improving the old works, or in adding new, we can only surmise.
The old works are thus described :--
"At Karang Bolong, the projecting point of the island, a salient battery has been hewn out of the rock, and armed with guns of the heaviest calibre. All the localities are hewn out of the solid rock, and are thus bombproof in themselves. The battery, washed on two sides by the sea, is unapproachable, and, landwards, has been rendered so by art. A high tower on the top of the rock obviates all fear of surprise-an indispensable precaution from the position and isolated situation of the battery. The rock battery of Karang Bolong is now a genuine little Gibraltar, and can effect an infinite amount of damage on an enemy sailing inside, but, unfortunately, the flank alone can contribute to that purpose.'
""
* Pilots are not compelled to take in vessels beyond 20 feet, but may do so if the tide serves.
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