4702 (APPROACHES TO THANDWE)

1. To the E of Sagu Island the main land coast on the E side of the approach to Ramree harbour consists of mangrove covered islands, intersected by many rivers and Chaungs; one of these, Taungup river leads to the village of Taungup (18º 51'N, 94º 14'E), about 7½ miles within the entrance. These waterways are suitable only for boatsand small craft.

2. The channel E side of Sagu Island and Magyi Island has many detached rocks and sand banks some of whichdry at low water and half tide. Kayaing Chaung is enteredN of the NW end of Pandaw Island.The coast S of thisriver, to Singaung Island, 13 miles SSE, consists of anumber of low lying  islands behind which are Chaungssuitable for navigation by small vessels and boats.

3. The mountains of Kyauk Phyu Range lie 25 milesinland. The seaward sides of these islands are subject to heavy surf during W winds.

4. Osprey Rocks, 2.4m high, lie within the coastal bank about 5.5 miles SE of Magyi Kyun and on a shoal 6miles SW of Northern end of Pandaw Island.

5. Pantaw (Pandaw) Rocks, 4 miles S of Northern end of Pandaw Island, These rocks are low the NW rock is 0.6m high.

6. Gungasager Rocks (18º 35'.8N, 94º 07'.8E) are 0.5m high and lie 4.7 miles E of Pantaw Rocks at the SW end of a shoal; A foul ground lies 1½ miles N.

7. Kamaundaung Island (18º 37'N, 94º 15'E) is separated from the S end of Pandaw Island by Giwa Chaung, which provides a boat channel at half-tide.

8. Kamaundaung Chaung separates Kamaundaung Island from Singaung Island and also provides a boat channel at half-tide. Sand banks lie at the mouth of the Chaung.

9. Whaler’s Rocks, awash, lies 2½ miles offshore from Kamaundaung Island.

10. Singaung Reef, on which are numerous rocks above and below water, extends WSW and SW from the N end of Singaung Island.

11. Singaung Island (18º 35'N, 94º 16'E): a remarkable tufted clump of trees. 45m high, stands 12 cables SSE of the N point of Singaung Island. A rest-house stands on the SW point of the island. Two rocks lie about 1 mile W of the Island.

12. Drunken Sailor Rock (18º 32'.6N, 94º 12'.8E), part of which nearly dries, lies 2 miles W of the rest-house; the sea usually breaks over this rock and its position is clearly indicated between half ebb and half flood even in a slightswell.

13. Anchorage. There is anchorage 13 cables N of and 7 cables S of Drunken sailor Rock in depths of 11m, with the rest-house bearing 120º distant about 2¾ miles. The bottom is mud. Vessels with local knowledge may find good anchorage during the NE monsoon; during the SW monsoon these anchorages are exposed and dangerous.

14. General information. Andrew Bay lies between Money point (18º 18'.56N, 94º 19'.52E), and an unnamed headland 3¼ miles NNE. Its shore comprises a series of smaller bays, some of which are encumbered by shoals and reefs.

15. Tidal streams set into and out of the bay with thetide. Spring rates are less then ¼ knots.

16. Anchorage. In fine weather good anchorage may be obtained in the middle of Andrew Bay, which is clear of dangers in good holding ground; but this anchorage is exposed to the full force of the South-West monsoon. Depths shoaler than charted were reported here and hencecaution needs to be exercised while operating in the vicinity.

17. A small stone jetty lies on the NW side of Sandoway Bay.

18. Sandoway River enters the sea between a drying sandspit extending SW from Singaung Island and Zalat Taung, is an Island 52m high, about 5 cables S of Singaung island. Rocks and foul ground extend ¾ miles SSW from the W end of the island. A detached rock 1m high lies ½ mile SW of Zalattaung.

19. Singyat Island is separated from Zalat Taung, close NW by a narrow rock-filled channel. When the wind is W or N, heavy surf breaks along the coast and boat landing near the river mouth is hazardous.Directions

20. Approach Sandoway River entrance keeping the rest-house bearing about 081º which leads S of Drunken Sailor Rock through the fairway. When the summit of Zalat Taung bears 181º alter course S to round the sand spit which fronts the rest-house.

21. Sandoway is a town lying on the W banks of the river 12 miles above the entrance, in a hollow surrounded by hills. It is a district headquarters. Berthing facilities includes a pontoon jetty and 370 ft causeway.

22. The Port of Sandoway is closed during the SWmonsoon. At other times regular sea communication is maintained with Chittagong and YANGON by Andrew Bay. A powered launch maintains communication between the roadstead and the town.

23. Sandoway River is tidal for a short distance above the town of Sandoway. Powered vessels not exceeding 2.4m draught can reach within 4 miles of the town at high water and those of 0.9 m draught can reach the town. Localknowledge is necessary.

24. Climate. In the cool season, from November to February, the dew is very heavy and the nights are chilly. From February to May there are sometimes dense fogs during evenings and mornings. Sandoway River to Andrew Bay

25. All the rivers draining the mountainous Sandoway District are flowing W to merge into sea. To the S of Sandoway River the coast is rugged with few places of shelter.

26. Gaw Hill (Gawataung), 169m high, stands 1 mile S of Singaung Island and forms a good landmark; being the only hill on this part of the coast, it is very conspicuous.

27. AMayu Ye (Apau Ye) Kyun lies between Gaw Hill and the coast abreast, it is a bluff islet 62 m high and lying 8 miles SSE of Gaw Hill, the coast is low, sandy and fringed by rocks. The coast is covered by casuarina and some deciduous trees.

28. A shoal depth of 6.4m lies about 2.7 miles NNW of AMayu Ye Island. In 1933 a mud volcano was reported 1½ miles W and another ¾ mile SW of AMayu Ye Island.

29. Lontha Light is exhibited from a black and white chequered tower ¼ mile within the N entrance of Andrew Bay. The light is visible from 016º to 113º and 144º to 160ºdue to Obstruction by AMayu Ye Island on the NW side of the Island and extension of main land on the S of the light.

30. Andrew Bay is entered between a point lying 1 mile SE of AMayu-Ye Island and Money Point, 3 miles SSW. Campbell Peak 176m high lies 3.2 miles E of Lontha Light. Transit Hill 157m high lies 4.4 miles SE of Lontha Light. Bay Hill 142m high lies about 2.8 miles SW of Transit Hill.

31. The coast of Andrew Bay SE of Lontha light is sandy upto 4 miles and is fringed with rocks.

32. Money Point (18º 18'.5N, 94º 19'.6E) is the end of a small peninsula rising to 120m at Taungmagyi Taung (Money Summit) which is surrounded by detached trees and forms a prominent mark readily identified from seaward.

33. Mills Patch, 4.5 miles W of Money Point, was thrown up in 1908 by a small mud volcano. The shoal with a least depth of 6.1 m is a hazard to vessels bound for Andrew Bay.

34. Sandoway Bay, lies close E of Lontha light, has a small stone jetty which is connected by road with Sandoway town, 6 miles N. The jetty, locally called Thandwe jetty is used by small fishing boats and tourist boats. A ruined jetty also exist adjacent to Thandwe jetty is partially visible during low waters.

35. Kathit Islet, 3m high, lies 2.2 miles SE of Lontha light; the bay is encumbered with other dangers up to about 1¼ miles offshore between this islet and Mayo Bay to theS.

36. Mayo Bay (18°18’ N, 94°22’ E) lies near the SE corner of Andrew Bay and provide sheltered anchorage during the South West Monsoon. A large promontory, with Money Point as its NW extremity, extends about 5 miles W from the general line of the coast close S of Andrew Bay. A Pagoda, conspicuous from seaward, when the sun shines on it, stands on the SW part of this promontory. Dangerous foul ground, marked by numerous above and below-water rocks, fronts the W side of the promontory up to 3.5 miles offshore. A detached drying rocky patch lies about 4.3 miles WSW of Money Point and is the outermost danger. A drying rock lies about 1.3 miles S of the SW extremity of the promontory; a foul patch lies about 1.5 miles SE of the same extremity.

37. Snake Rock lies about 1 mile NW of Bay Hill. Mayo Bay, near the SE corner of Andrew Bay, affords shelter during the SW monsoon. The coast of Mayo Bay is covered by mangroves.

38. Anchorage may be obtained ½ mile E of Headlam Point which lies 1 mile E of Money Point but space is restricted by a 5m patch E. Andrew Bay to Bluff Cape

39. Foul ground, with numerous rocks above and below water, fronts the W coast of the promontory forming the S side of Andrew Bay. The outer most danger is a patch drying 0.9m about 4.2 miles WSW of Money Point. The S coast of the promontory is fronted by numerous rocks and shoals.

40. Mawyon (Hmaw Gon) (18º 15'N, 94º 20'E), a village, lies 1 mile E of the SW point of the promontory; a white pagoda, standing close S of the village, forms a conspicuous mark when the sun shines on it.

41. Kyaukchinhmaw (Remarkable Rock), 9m high, lies 2½ miles ESE of the pagoda