Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 220

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rock at the entrance of this parrow strait, called Coker's rock, with only four feet water ou it at low water spring tides, may be avoided by bringing the centre of Hau seu

island on with a remark- able peak, the highest but one on the land behind it. When the rock off the south tangent of Kúláng seu is in line with Pagoda island, and a pinnacle rock off the eastern extreme of Kúláng seu is in with a remarkable Tree point on that island, you are on it. From this position a vessel should keep as close to the Amoy shore as the junks anchored off it will allow them. The small island off the City point has deep water close to it; between this island and Hau seu (i. e. Monkey island), is the best anchorage for a ship, having a reef that extends from City point in a N.N.W. direction lying to the northward of her. Vessels cannot anchor in the straits without a great risk of losing their anchors, as the bottom is very rocky and uneven. North of the island of Kúláng seu, there is a pinnacle rock which is nearly covered at spring tides, and distant from the shore three cables. The mud dries between this rock and the island. All the points of Kúláng seu have rocks off them; off the southwest extreme there is a half tide rock, 11⁄2 cable from the shore.

The island of Kúláng seu is 1.1 mile long and 0.7 wide, and 2 85 in circumference; there were five batteries on it. The channel be- tween it and Amoy is 675 yards wide in the narrow part: at the entrance, it is 840 yards. The ridge of hills is about 280 feet high, being less elevated than those opposite on the Amoy shore; these hills are granitic, and the geological features of the country primitive. Fresh water is plentiful, and the island before its occupation by the English, was well cultivated. The population may be estimated at between 3000 aud 4000.

To the westward of Kúláng seu there is a good and safe anchorage in 7 or 8 fathoms. Close to either shore the water is deep, but in the centre there is a bank with from 7 to 9 fathoms on it. Vessels wishing to anchor off the town, should use this passage, and by keep- ing the rocks off the west extreme of Kúláng seu in ilne with a re- markable sharp peak on the south shore of the harbor, until the peaked rock off the north end of Kúláng seu bears to the southward of east, she will avoid the mud bank and rocks running off that is- land, and may choose her berth off the city. The channel round the island of Amoy is so narrow and winding that directions would be useless; the chart is the best guide. Besides the excellent