ing near. The moſt dangerous Paſſage becaufe of its Narrowneſs, Shoals and Rocks, are, the Straits of Banca, form’d by an Iſland of this name, and the Coaſts of Sumatra. The Coaſts of Sumatra all along the Straits are low, without Hills or Mountains, but well ſtor'd with Woods. Banca, on the contrary, is ragged and broken with high Hills and Mountains in ſome Parts, and low verdant ground in others. It ſeems in the main to be a very fruitful Iſland. All the Ships bound for the Eaſtern Coaſts of Malacca, for Siam, Cambodia, Cochinchina, China and Japan, paſs theſe Straits. The Coaſts of Sumatra, opposite to Banca, have two or three remarkable Points running out into the Straits. We got within half a League of the ſaid Coaſts, becauſe there is a good, ſoft Clay at the bottom, and even ground in ſix Fathoms Water and more. We made the ſecond Point of the Coaſts of Sumatra before Sun ſet, and lay by againſt the next morning.
On the twelfth of May we weigh'd anchor before Sun riſing, and this morning got as far as the third and furthermoſt Point of the Coaſts of Sumatra. The St. Paul (of which above) which was hitherto far a-ſtern of us, was now got conſiderably a-head us. We ſteer’d along the Coaſts to N. N. W. The Sky was thick and cloudy, the Wind variable, moſtly S. The Coaſts of Sumatra and Banca appeared much as yeſterday, In the Afternoon the Wind turn’d contrary, which made us take in part of our Sails, and tack about for a while.
On the Thirteenth of May in the Evening, we got ſafe to the End of the Straits, between the Mouth of the River Palimbang on our Larboard, and a very high Rock call’d Monapin, upon the extremity of Banca to the Starboard. The Mouth of the River Palimbang, which was about three quarters of a League diſtant, ſeem’d to be at leaſt half a League broad. We could ſee no Land beyond it, whither for its extent, or becauſe of the dusk of the evening. We made the beſt of our way towards the ſaid Mouth, and the Coaſts of Sumatra in ſeven fathoms and a half, to avoid a dangerous Rock, call'd Frederic Henry, which lies hereabouts, and upon which a Dutch Ship call’d Prince William, bound for Siam, unfortunately ſtranded, ſome Years ago, but the Captain and Crew ſav’d themſelves in the Boat. The Wind proving favourable, and we being paſt the Straits of Banca, we ſail'd all night.
On the Fourteenth of May in the morning, we came in ſight of the Iſlands Poele Tsju, that is the Seven Iſlands, otherwiſe the Seven Brothers. We directed our Courſe ſo as to leave the ſaid Iſlands to the Starboard. It was clear and cool, and a good favourable Gale all Day long. We loſt ſight of the Coaſts of Sumatra, and in the Evening made the Iſland Puli Saya.
Palinbange
River.
