for the head of the pier, situated on Banguey Island, about 3/4 mile northwestward of the western extremity of Pagassan Island, avoiding Hong Aun Reef, % mile south-southeastward of the pier.

Directions, East Entrance.-Vessels should approach with the southwestern extremity of Modum Island bearing 329° true and, when in the center of the entrance, steer about 340° true for about 1 mile. Then follow the curve of the channel to the anchorage, keeping midway between the reefs on either side.

Patanunam Island, situated 3/4 mile eastward of the south point of Banguey, is more than 12 mile in extent and 428 feet (130 m.) high. The summit is a useful object for determining a vessel's position when passing through the channel. The island is fringed by a coral reef projecting 400 yards from its southwest end, and off its northeast end a detached narrow reef extends nearly 1 mile northeastward.

Molleangan Island, 466 feet (142 m.) high, situated 11⁄4 miles southwestward of the south point of Banguey, is 114 miles long east and west and 3/4 mile wide, with reefs and rocks above water extending 3/4 mile in a northwest, west, and southwesterly direction; the northeast and southeast sides of the island are steep-to. Several reefs with rocks above and below water lie nearly midway between Molleangan and Banguey.

At 1 mile southwest of Molleangan lies Little Molleangan Island, from which dangers extend 13 mile eastward and 3/4 mile westward, with depths of 13 to 17 fathoms (23.8 to 31.1 m.) close-to.

Carrington Reefs, situated 212 miles southeastward from the east end of Lampassan, are composed of coral, for the most part bare at low water. They extend 4 miles in an east and west direction and are 1 mile in width. At 800 yards from the north side of these reefs there is a detached patch of 22 fathoms (4.6 m.).

Between this shoal and the dangers extending from the Banguey shore is a channel 3/4 mile wide, but which, as a matter of ordinary navigation, no vessel would require to use. It is, however, practically available for small steamers, which may afterwards round the Carrington Reefs and return into Banguey South Channel; or they may proceed into the Sulu Sea, either by the narrow and intricate passage between the shore reefs and those surrounding Bankawan and Latoan or by Bankawan Channel, a broader and much less intricate passage, separating the Bankawan and Southeast Banguey Dangers.

The main channel, however, lies between the Carrington Reefs and those off the north part of Mallawalle Island, and this channel only should be used by strangers, taking care not to near the former dangers under a depth of 13 to 15 fathoms (23.8 to 27.4 m.). The apex of Pagassan, bearing 279° true, leads close southward, and the east end of Lapassan 348° true leads westward.

Southeast Banguey Dangers comprise an extensive group of reefs and shoals 101/2 miles in length in an east by north and opposite direction, and nearly 5 miles in width, situated about 12 miles eastward of Carrington Reefs. The west end of the group is defined by two small isolated reefs, bare at low water and steep-to. A good lookout is essential when nearing them, and the same precaution will have to be observed when passing through the channel, as the reefs forming the southern edge of these dangers are all steep-to.

A space about 2 miles in extent, at the eastern part of Southeast Banguey Dangers, is studded by a number of coral patches with from 134 to 5 fathoms (3.2 to 9.1 m.) of water, and from the outer or eastern one the summit of Latoan Island bears 299° true, distant 911⁄2 miles. Bankawan Channel, separating Bankawan Reefs from Southeast Banguey Dangers, is 3/4 mile wide at its narrowest part. The channel is nearly straight and lies in a 55° true and 235° true direction, but it will be necessary to keep a good lookout for reefs on either side; with proper precaution there will be no difficulty in taking a vessel through in safety.

Banguey South Channel, leading from the China into the Sulu Sea, is somewhat intricate and requires careful navigation, being for the greater part of its length bordered by dangers, and with others near the fairway. The western entrance, about 134 miles wide, lies between Outer Shoal and Molleangan Islands, off-lying the coasts of Borneo and Banguey, respectively.

The northern limits of the channel are formed by the islands which lie close-to, and appear to be a part of the southern shore of Banguey, Carrington Reefs, and Southeast Banguey Dangers.

The southern limits are formed by the Northwest and North Borneo Dangers, South Channel Dangers, the reefs off the northern part of Mallawalle, Mallawalle Eastern Dangers, and Fairway Shoal.

Islands and Dangers on the North Coast of Borneo.—Lying off the northwest and north coast of Borneo are a number of coral shoals, generally of small extent, some partially bare at low water, whilst others bare entirely, and two are marked by sand cays which shine brightly in the sunlight. Those dangers only will be described which limit the channels proper for vessels to proceed by. To mention the others in detail would tend rather to confuse navigators, who can have no inducement to risk the safety of their vessels by venturing among them.

Outer Shoal, the largest of these dangers, forms the southwest limit of Banguey South Channel. It is about 1 mile in extent and steep-to, with about 6 feet (1.8 m.) of water and a patch which bares on its eastern side. From its northwest end the summit of Little Molleangan bears 36° true, distant 21/2 miles.

Beacon.-A tripod beacon with staff and black conical topmark, marks the northwestern end of Outer Shoal.

A sand cay, on the east side of a coral ledge nearly awash and steepto, lies 103 true 234 miles from the northeast extremity of Outer Shoal.

Nearly midway between Outer Shoal and this sand cay is a small coral patch with 6 feet (1.8 m.) of water and a depth of 15 fathoms (27.4 m.) around.

Another sand cay, in the center of a coral ledge, lies 1 mile eastward of the former. These cays are useful as marking the limits of the channel on the Borneo side; and, being composed of white coral sand, are conspicuous.

Nearly 3 miles east-northeastward of the eastern sand cay is a 2-fathom (3.7 m.) patch, with two ledges which bare a shore distance southward. From this shoal, which is the most northerly of the North Borne Dangers, the summit of Patanunam bears 330° true, distant nearly 4 miles,

About 134 miles 95° true from the 2-fathom (3.7 m.) shoal is the outer of two coral ledges lying close together, with Patanunam summit bearing 314° true, distant 5 miles. A 3-fathom (5.5 m.) patch lies 600 yards east-southeastward, and a ledge of rocks is distant a little over 11⁄2 miles in the same direction from these dangers. The latter is within 1 mile of the reef fronting the Borneo shore to a distance of about 2 miles.

Dangers in the fairway.-Petrel Rock is a narrow ridge of coral about 40 yards in extent, with 214 fathoms (4.6 m.) of water and a depth of 12 fathoms (21.9 m.) close around. It lies with the southern extremity of Molleangan Island bearing 278° true, distant about 32 miles.

A beacon, consisting of a staff with a black conical topmark, has been erected to mark a shoal which has a depth of 134 fathoms (3.2 m.) over it, situated in Banguey South Channel at a distance of about 34 mile eastward of Petrel Rock and about 21⁄2 miles 143° true from the eastern point of Patanunam Island.

Ten-foot Rock, the westernmost of the dangers in the fairway, is a coral head 70 yards in length, with a least depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.) and 17 fathoms (31.1 m.) close around. It lies with Petrel Rock, bearing 33° true, distant about 1,400 yards. As other dangers may exist here, the utmost caution should be used when navigating in this vicinity.

There are heavy tide rips about 1⁄2 mile southward of Ten-foot Rock.

Pearson Rock, on which there is a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m.), lies 3.27 miles 169° true from Kalutan Point, Banguey Island. Another shoal of like depth lies approximately 3.75 miles 167° true from the same point.

South Channel Dangers comprise six coral reefs lying in the fairway eastward of Petrel Rock, with irregular depths between. Three of these reefs lie in an east and west direction, about 11⁄2 mile apart. The two westernmost bare at low water; the other is a strip of coral nearly 34 mile in length, with a rock nearly awash at its eastern end. A 212-fathom (4.6 m.) patch lies 165° true 1,200 yards, and another 58° true 12 miles from the rock nearly awash. Between the different dangers are passages which it is possible for vessels to pass through, but as this would serve no useful purpose it is advisable to consider these shoals as a dangerous group.

Clearing marks.-The apex of Molleangan Island, bearing 261° true, leads northward of South Channel Dangers; the same object 275° true, leads southward of them and about 600 yards northward of Petrel Rock and close northward of the beacon to the eastward.

Directions, Banguey South Channel.-Attention to these directions must be supplemented by a vigilant and careful lookout from aloft. The best time for proceeding through from westward is with the sun astern, when there is seldom much difficulty in making out the various dangers as the vessel advances. Balabac Main channel is, however, considered a much safer route.

Entering from westward, bring Molleangan Islands to bear about 92° true and steer for them. When about 5 miles from the reef encircling them, edge southeastward, opening the summit of the larger island southward of the smaller one.

134368°-4031

Then steer to pass about 3/4 miles southward of Little Molleangan, observing that the whole of Patanunam Island should not be opened eastward of Molleangan Island until the summit of Little Molleangan Island bears 25° true, which will lead clear of Outer Shoal.

Having passed Little Molleangan, steer more northeastward, keeping within 1 mile of Molleangan and Patanunam.

Having passed those islands, bring the peak of Patanunam to bear 265° true and steer 85° true through the fairway between the South Channel Dangers and the rock off the south end of Pagassen until the sand cay off the north side of Mallawalle is abeam, distant about 1 mile, when a 109° true course will lead clear of the dangers off the northern side of Mallawalle.

When the sand cay off the eastern extremity of that island bears 182° true, distant 21/4 miles, steer 70° true, which course being preserved will lead 1 mile northward of Fairway Shoal into the Sulu Sea. Bearings of Straggler Islet will check the position of the vessel while westward of Fairway Shoal.

MARUDU BAY

(Chart 4720)

Marudu Bay is about 24 miles wide at the entrance between Inaruntang and Sampanmangio Points and extends some 28 miles southward. The depths in the middle of the entrance are 18 and 19 fathoms (32.9 and 34.7 m.), decreasing gradually toward the head of the bay where, off the mouth of the Marudu River, there is considerable shoal water and extensive mud flats that bare at low water. Low hills rise from the western shore of the bay. Melau Besar, 680 feet (207 m.) high, and Matungan, 1,360 feet (414 m.) high, are easily recognized, the summit of the former being bare and flat while the latter is thickly wooded. From the southeastern shore the hills rise to an elevation of over 2,000 feet (610 m.), and are all thickly wooded.

The rivers flowing into the bay shift their channels after each rainy season, and are only available for boats after the beacons have been replaced in position.

The only danger in the bay, outside of numerous shoal patches lying close to the shore reefs, is Barraut Reef, a small coral shoal covered by a least depth of 4 feet (1.2 m.) lying on the bearing: Sandilands Rock Light 344° true and the chimney of the crutch factory at Mempakit 118° true, distant 3% miles. A wooden beacon with a white top stands on the southern end of the reef.

Anchorage may be obtained, in depths of from 5 to 10 fathoms (9.1 to 18.3 m.), mud bottom, almost anywhere near the shores of the bay.

Tidal currents.-The tidal streams are weak, but during the rainy season the outrush of water from the many rivers and streams may produce a strong current setting steadily out of the bay for days at a time.

INARUNTANG POINT, latitude 7°00′ N., longitude 117°09′ E., is the northern extremity of the tongue of land, about 13 miles wide and projecting northward about 23 miles, which lies between Marudu and Paitan Bays. It forms the eastern entrance point to Marudu

Bay, and is surrounded by a reef to a distance of about 1 mile, northward from which are the dangerous detached patches known as the North Borneo Dangers. Inaruntang Point should be given a berth of at least 21/2 miles.

From Inaruntang Point the coast trends southwesterly for 614 miles to Perak Island. The shore is fringed by reefs outside of which are the numerous detached shoals known as the Northwest Borneo Dangers. The deep indentation in the coast immediately westward of Inaruntang Point is completely blocked by reefs.

Perak Island, a small, heavily wooded islet with steep cliffy sides, about 120 feet (37 m.) high and 1/4 mile long, marks the eastern point of the inlet leading to the Melobong River.

Cape Mafsie is prominent, 56 feet (17.1 m.) high, with conspicuous white cliffs and has a sharp rock 35 feet (10.7 m.) high lying close to it. It is surrounded by fringing reefs which extend about 1 mile westward and 211⁄2 miles northward from it.

The entrance channel to the inlet is contracted to a width of about 1,200 yards by the reefs surrounding the eastern point and Perak Island, and those extending off Cape Mafsie; the southwestern angle of the eastern reef is marked by a beacon. The inlet extends about 3 miles in a southeasterly direction, and, at the head, is much obstructed by mud banks which leave a narrow channel toward the eastern shore.

Depths of 2 and 21⁄2 fathoms (3.7 and 4.6 m.) can be carried as far as Tarang Puteh, thence about 5 feet (1.5 m.) at low water into the Melobong River, the least water in the approach being about 1/4 mile outside the entrance. Boats entering the inlet steer for Perak Island on a 103° true course and, when within a distance of 1 mile of it, a southerly course leads to the entrance to the channel extending to the mouth of the river.

Shoals. A shoal with a least depth of 2 fathoms (3.7 m.) lies 312 miles northwestward of Cape Mafsie. A rocky shoal, the center of which dries, lies about 1/4 mile from the western edge of the fringing reef, and about 2 miles northwestward of Cape Mafsie. A shoal having over it a depth of 234 fathoms (5.0 m.) is situated 2 miles 283° true from Cape Mafsie, and a patch of 4 fathoms (7.3 m.) lies 1 mile in an east-southeasterly direction from this shoal.

Perawan Point, about 3 miles southward from Cape Mafsie, is 56 feet (17.1 m.) high and is easily distinguished by its red cliffs. The reef which surrounds Cape Mafsie gradually narrows and finally disappears at Perawan Point. Shoal water extends some distance westward from Perawan Point, the 5-fathom (9.1 m.) curve being found at a distance of 112 miles from shore.

Between Perawan Point and the entrance to the Benkoka River the coast forms a bay, off the shore of which the sand dries for a distance of 14 to 3/4 of a mile, and a flat with depths of less than 3 fathoms (5.5 m.) extends 214 miles offshore.

Benkoka River, the largest flowing into Marudu Bay, discharges about 311⁄2 miles southward from Perawan Point. Benkoka Islet, a small wooded islet covered with trees about 25 feet (7.6 m.) high, lies at its mouth. The mouth of the Benkoka River is about 12 mile wide, rapidly decreasing to a uniform breadth of 200 yards. It is obstructed by a sand spit, over which there is a depth of about 3 feet (0.9 m.) in the marked channel; within the depths increase.