THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH NOVEMBER, 1881. 1029
The information contained in this Notice is to be carefully considered, to be noted in the Sailing Directions, and compared with the Chart when the ship is navigating the parts to which it refers.
HYDROGRAPHIC NOTICE. [No. 34.]
CHINA SEA DIRECTORY, VOL. I. NOTICE No. 5.
The following information relating to Carimata strait has been received from Lieutenant and Commander R. F. Hoskyn, H.M. surveying vessel Flying Fish, 1881.1
[All Bearings are Magnetic. Variation 1° 20′ Easterly in 1881.]
CARIMATA STRAIT.
TIDES. From the limited nature of the observations obtained no precise rule with regard to the tides in Carimata strait can be laid down. The following is a general summary, and may perhaps be useful:-
On the 8th August 1880 it was high water at Sornetou island, West point, about 11h. Om. p.m.; this would give the approximate time of high water at full and change, at about 9h. 30m. The stream while the tide was rising ran south.
On the 18th August 1880, at Sulphur point, Rendezvous island, it was high water about 8h. Om. p.m.; this also would give an approximate time of high water at full and change, at about 9h. 30m. The rising tide ran to the southward. For the three preceding days the Flying Fish had been at anchor a few miles south-west of Sulphur point, where the tides ran N.N.W. and S.S.E., with a velocity of 14 to 2 knots the north going stream running from 16 to 18 hours, and the south from 4 to 6 hours. The south-east monsoon was blowing strong the whole time.
At East island, Montaran group, observations on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd August gave the time of high water at full and change, at 9h. 40m.; the greatest rise and fall was 4 feet 6 inches, on the 21st; but from the appearance of the beach, it is probable that it often exceeds this. No regularity in the change of stream was observed. On one occasion it ran for four consecutive days to the N.W., the south-east monsoon was blowing fresh at the time.
In the neighbourhood of the Greig shoals no regularity at all could be detected. The greatest rise and fall registered was 7 feet on 10th October, and 8 feet on 11th October (new moon at 17h. on the 3rd October); the rising tide ran to the southward. There would appear to be but one high water in twenty-four hours at any of the above places.
MONTARAN ISLANDS.
Bakan island, situated about 3 miles S.W., by W. from South island, is small and densely wooded.
Meranai island, about 4 miles west of South island, has the appearance of a low island with a large bush in its
There is a small sandy islet with some trees on it a short distance from its north-east point.
centre.
South island, about 2 miles south of Napier island, is a low sand bank surrounded by a coral reef and covered with trees. The passage between it and Napier island is blocked by a reef.
Observatory island, situated on a reef about one mile east of Napier island, in lat. 2° 38′ 10′′ S., long. 108° 31′ 48" E., is small and sandy, having on it a few trees.
Napier island, is a densely wooded island, about three quarters of a mile long and 90 feet high, it is surrounded by coral reefs, which on the north and north-west sides extend about three quarters of a mile, and on the east and south-east sides nearly 2 miles.
2
Lenore reef, situated N.W. N. from the north point of Napier island, is small, composed of coral with 9 feet water on it, and deep water close around,
Another reef, with 4 fathoms water, lies 33 miles north of Napier island. There may possibly be less water on this reef, as it was not closely examined.
Sambilan, situated about three quarters of a mile west of the south point of Nangka island, is a sandy islet covered with trees and surrounded by a reef.
Nangka island, the most prominent of the Montaran islands, is 14 miles long and three quarters of a mile broad; it rises in two densely wooded peaks, which at a distance appear like two separate islands. The southern peak is 549 feet high, and the northern peak 415 feet high.
This island is surrounded by a coral reef, the edge of which, on the north-west side, is half a mile distant from the shore. Tekong Gemok, is a small islet about 50 feet high. Close to the north point of Nangka island.
West group consists of three islands lying about S. by E. of Nangka island. Nyamok, the northernmost, is distant about 2 miles, Gampal, the southernmost and largest, about 3 miles from the south point of Nangka island. These islands appear low, consisting merely of mangroves and other trees growing on coral reef. At 2 miles west of the south point of Gampal is a reef with less than 6 feet water. The passage between Gampal and Napier island should not be used.
High bank, situated about 2 miles east of Gampal, is nearly 2 miles long, north and south. On the south end of it is a small patch of dead coral 3 feet high.
Middle group consists of four islands, three of which are composed of sand, surrounded by coral reefs and covered with trees. The fourth and largest is a reef, the greater part of wlachi is covered with mangroves,
Warren reef is a small bank of dead coral 5 feet high.
Gubbins reef is a large reef, having near the middle a bank of dead coral 3 feet high. This reef is nearly connected with the Middle group by two other reefs. Also between it and Warren reef are several smaller reefs. At 1 miles E.N.E. of Gubbins reef is another large reef.
East island, the northern point of which is in lat. 2° 29′ 33′′ S., and long. 108° 51′ 9′′ E., is the easternmost of the Montaran islands. It is about half a mile in extent north and south, is of coral formation, thickly wooded, and surrounded by a sandy beach. The trees in the centre form a sharp pointed summit 112 feet high.
Small island, 66 feet high, situated 14 miles S.S.W. W. from East island, is composed of sand about one third of a mile long north and south, surrounded by a reef, and covered with a few stunted trees.
Justina reef, lying E. by S. & S., distant 14 miles from East island, is awash at low water, but near it and Sinall island are several other reets.
Whittingham reef, lying 2 miles N.E. by E. & E. from East island, is small with 24 fathoms water. of the triangle formed by this reef, East island and Justina reef, is a small patch of 9 feet.
In the centre
See Admiralty charts ---Eastern Archipelago, No. 941a; and Carimata strait, No. 2,160: also China Sea Directory, vol. i., second edition, 1878, pages 306 and 309-324; and Hydrographic Notice, No. 10 of 1880.
2 Originally published in Notice to Mariners, No. 114 of 1879.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.