Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 281

1841.

Chusan Archipelago.

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(Lan and Lew shan) and Chusan, or to the northward of Sheppey, The latter is the more eligible. The former is 2 cables wide in the narrowest part. The Houbland islands lie between Sheppey and Fisher's island. Vessels should pass between them and two small islets, which lie off the southwest side, between which and Chusan is the narrowest part of the passage. Having passed this islet, vessels may either stand along Sheppey, or steer a course for the open sea.

Passage between Sheppey and Blackheath. To pass to the north- ward of Sheppey, a N. 56° E. course must be steered for a long bar- ren island, with a round peak upon it. The distance between which and Sheppey is 1.6 mile. The mud runs off the latter 0.5 mile. The barren island is steep, to, on the southeast shore. In the channel, between Kwan shan and Sheppey, are several islets; and in standing over to the Sheppey side of the channel the mud may be avoided by keeping the north end of the largest of these islands open of the northern extreme of Sheppey.

Having passed the barren island a course must be steered to pass close to Kwan shan, which lies west from the barren island 11⁄2 mile, in order to avoid a reef which is covered at high water. It is distant from Kwan shan 24 cables. From it the barren hill bears N. 85° W., and the highest part of Sheppey S. 26° W.

Having passed the reef, the large island, mentioned as the mark for avoiding the mud bank extending westerly from Sheppey, bounds the passage to the southward. A reef extends a short distance from its northern extreme.

Nine islands. Besides Kwan shan there are nine islands lying off the southeast end of Tae shan. A reef of rocks lies off the southern point of the one east of Kwan shan. The channel then lies between these Nine islands to the north, and the large passage island on the south. A due west course will carry you along Changtoo and the northwest group to the open sea.

1.

Vessels wishing to anchor under Sheppey, which will be found a secure anchorage in the northwesterly monsoon, may haul to the southward, after passing the first island to the eastward of the large Passage island, and run between them and a cluster of rocks to the eastward. The east extreme of Sheppey is a low cliff, which may bẹ passed within a cable; good anchorage will then be found in five fa thoms, the water shoaling gradually towards the shore.

Sheppey. The island of Sheppey is 7.5 miles long, and 5.6 broad. On the east side are several deep sandy bays. A considerable por- tion of the east extreme is separated from the island by a narrow