Elphinstone Harbour to Sri Vijaya Puram   404

Long Island (1224N., 9256E.) densely wooded and fringed by shoal ground. Its W coast is joined to Middle Andaman Island by a shallow flat.
Long Island is the northernmost of a chain of islands, reefs, and other dangers which extend S for about 15 miles from a position about 2.5 miles S of Johns Point. The islands are separated from each other, and from Middle Andaman and Baratang Islands, by fairly narrow, shoal channels. Small vessels with local knowledge can find shelter in some of these bays. Elphinstone Harbour, which provides sheltered anchorage, lies close to the E entrance of Homfray Strait, which separates Middle Andaman and Bartang Islands.
Guitar Island (1221N., 9255E.) lies about 0.8 mile SSW of Long Island and is joined to Middle Andaman Island by a shallow flat. Cape Dalrymple forms the S end of an islet, which lies close S of Guitar Island. Round Island lies about 183m W of the SW end of Guitar Island.
A detached patch, with a least depth of 7.6m, lies about 1 mile SSE of cape Dalrymple.
Nancowry Ledge (1220N., 9256E.), which has depths of less than 2.3m, lies about 1.3 miles E of Cape Dalrymple.  
Headlam Patch (1224N., 9259E.), with a least depth of 2.2m, lies about 2.5 miles SSE of the N end of Long Island.  
An extensive shoal, with a depth of 3.3m near its SW end and a depth of 8.8m near its NE end, lies between 5.3 and 7.8 miles E of Cape Smith, the S end of Long Island. A detached shoal, about 1 mile in extend, lies with its shallowest depth of 3.4m, about 6.3 miles ESE of Cape Smith.
Osmaston Shoal (1221N., 9258E.), with a least depth of 3m, lies about 1.8 miles E of Cape Smith.
North Passage Island (1216N., 9256E.), irregular in shape, high, and wooded, lies 3 miles S of Long Island. Cape Portman is the NE extremity of the island. The E side of the island is fronted by dangerous foul ground which extends up to 2 miles offshore. Balfour Reef extends about 1 mile N from the NW end of the island. Merk Bay, which lies between Balfour Reef and the promontory to the E, has depths of 17.2 to 25.5m.
Strait Island (1213N., 9256E.) lies about 0.8 mile SSE of North Passage Island. The intervening passage between the two is foul. The N and E sides of Strait Island are fringed by reefs. Shoals and foul ground, extend up to 1.3 miles E of the island. Shoals, with depths of 2.4 to 4.9m, extend about 0.5 mile SSW from Cross Point, the S end of the island. A 8.8m shoal lies 2.5 miles ENE of the same point.
A light is shown on the S end of Strait Island, close N of Cross Point.
Colebrooke Island (1214N., 9254E.), of irregular shape and densely wooded, lies close W of the SW part of North Passage Island.
Tidal currents in the channel between Long and Guitar Islands, in the approach to Elphinstone Harbour, and at the various anchorages are weak. They become somewhat stronger, however, after consistent E winds. Strong tidal currents and eddies are experienced in Homfray Strait.
A channel, with depths of 5.6 to 36.6m, leads between Long Island and Guitar Island to the jetties on the SW side of the former island. A narrow channel, with depths of 5.6 to 12.8m, leads NNW to the entrance of several shallow creeks that lead into the interior of Middle Andaman Island. 
Homfray Strait (1218.5N., 9252E.), an intricate, rocky channel connecting Elphinstone Harbour with Port Anson, separates Middle Andaman Island from Baratang Islands. Depths in the fairway are not less than 5m, except near the E entrance where the depths over the bar is very shallow.
The channel between North Passage Island and Strait Island is shallow and foul.
The channel between North Passage Island and Colebrooke Island is about 0.5 mile wide and has depths of 5.2 to 15.2m.  Small vessels with local knowledge can use this passage which is obstructed in places by reefs and shoals.
Colebrooke Passage (1213N., 9253E.) is 0.2 mile wide with depths of 7.3 to 15.8m. Its N part is shallow, with depths between 3.3m and 6.1m.
Anchorage.  Anchorage can be taken in a depth of 23.5m, good holding ground, about 1.35 miles NW of Cross Point.
Well sheltered anchorage with good holding ground can be taken in a depth of 15.5m near the S end of Colebrooke Passage, with Cape Union in line bearing 065 with the center of Middle Button Island.
Caution. A depth of 3.3m lies a little over one mile W of Cape Union, and a 5m patch lies about 0.8 mile SW of the same cape.
Anchorage can be taken in Rogolochang Bay (1209N., 9250E.) in depths of 7.3 to 9.1m, about 4 miles SSW of the S entrance of Colebrooke Passage.
A lumber camp, with a sawmill and a small woodshop, lies on the SW side of Long Island about 0.8 mile WNW of Cape Smith. A wooden jetty, with reported depths of 2.4 to 3m alongside, extends from the shore about 0.4 mile N of the camp. A trolley connects the two.
Elphinstone Harbour (1218N., 9254E.), which is formed by the N part of the channel which separates North Passage Island from the E side of Baratang Island, is entered between Cape Dalrymple and Cape Portman, about 1.8 miles SE. The 118m hill, which lies on the N entrance point of Homfray Strait about 2 miles WSW of Cape Dalrymple, is a useful mark. A prominent tree lies on Guitar Island. Depths in the entrance range from 6 to 25.6m, decreasing gradually to depths of 6.1 to 19.6m within the harbour. Numerous shoals and reefs obstruct the inner harbour, the positions of which can best be seen on the area chart.
Anchorage can be taken in a depth of 18.3m, good holding ground, about 0.3 mile off the coast of North Passage Island, with the NW point of that island bearing 029, distant 0.5 mile.
Diligent Strait (1215N., 9303E.) lies between North Button, Middle Button, and the Strait Islands to the NW, and Outram, South Button, and the Wilson Islands to the SE.
Depths in the fairway of the strait range from 8.5 to 53m.  The shallowest depth of 8.5 lies about 1.8 miles E of the S end of Strait Island and a 9.7m patch lies about 0.5 mile farther E.  North Button Island (1219N., 9304E.), 48m high and reef-fringed, lies 7.5 miles E of the NE end of North Passage Island. Low, irregular cliffs lie at its E end. The W end of the island descends abruptly to a tree-covered sand spit.  Shoals, as defined by the 10m curve, extend about 1 mile E and 0.3 mile W from the island. The N side is clear of dangers, but the bottom is rocky. The E and W ends of the island should be given a wide berth when passing. A light is shown on the NW side of North Button Island.
Anchorage can be taken by small vessels with local knowledge close off the reef on the S side of the island.
Middle Button Island (1217N., 9302E.), lies about 3 miles SW of North Button Island. The N end is cliffy, but the SW point terminates in a short sandspit with a few low rocks off it. Shoals, with depths of 4.2m, extend about 1.5 miles NNE from the N end of the island. A rocky ridge and shoal ground extends about 1 mile SW from the island. A light is shown on the NE side of Middle Button Island.
Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor S of Middle Button Island clear of the shoals.
Outram Island, 3.5 miles S of North Button Island, will be described under Ritchies Archipelago.
South Button Island (1213N., 9302E.), about 3 miles S of Middle Button Island formed of large rocks, steep-to on all sides. A rocky head, with a depth of 10 m, lies about 1 mile E and coral patch, with a depth of 3.2m, lies about 1 mile SE of the island. A light is shown from South Button Island.
Two Fathoms Rock (1210N., 9258E.) lies about 4.8 miles SW of South Button Island.
Directions. Vessels approaching from the N should shape course, from a position about 2 miles E of North Button Island, to pass about 0.5 mile NW of South Button Island. When that island bears about 135, course should be altered to the S until the S side of the island is in line bearing 055 with the NW extremity of Outram Island. This range should be kept on that bearing astern until the N point of Nicholson Island is seen open W of the W end of Wilson Island, bearing about 192.  Course can then be altered to pass about 1.5 miles W of the latter island.
Vessels approaching from the S side should steer for Strait Island until the S side of South Button Island is in line bearing 055 with the NW extremity of Outram Island. This range should be steered until the E end of Middle Button Island bears 022. Course should then be altered to pass NW of South Button Island and midway between Middle and North Button Islands and Outram Island.
Ritchies Archipelago
Ritchies Archipelago (1203N., 9302E.) consists of ten islands lying between the parallels of 1216N. and 1147N, with the N end of the group being separated from Baratang Island by Diligence Strait. All of the islands are heavily wooded.
Outram Island (1214N., 9305E.), the N island of the group, is reef-fringed on all except its W side and contains Outram Harbour in a deep indentation along its N coast. Some low rocks lie on the reefs which fringe West Point, the W entrance point of the harbour. Shoal ground extends 0.8 mile NE from this point, and 0.6 mile NNE from East Point, the E entrance point of the harbour.
Outram Harbour (1215N., 9306E.) provides good shelter from S winds. Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor in depths of 18.3m near the middle of the harbour, with the N end of Middle Button Island in line bearing 290 with West Point.
Ritchies Archipelago NW Side. Charka Juru, the strait separating Outram Island from Henry Lawrence Island to the S, has considerable depths throughout its length. Shoal ground extends about 0.8 mile S from South Point, the S end of Outram Island. Once this shoal has been cleared, a mid-channel course will lead through the strait.
The W side of Henry Lawrence Island rises steeply to a ridge about 137m high. A narrow reef fringes the island.
Kwangtung Strait (1206N., 9304E.), the channel between Henry Lawrence Island and John Lawrence Island, has considerable depths in the fairway. The drying reefs which fringe both shores are usually visible.
Rocky Heads lie about 0.5 mile N of Briton Point, the N end of John Lawrence Island. Shoals and foul ground extend 1.5 miles NW from the NW coast of the island.
Wilson Island (1208N., 9259E.) lies W of the N part of John Lawrence Island and is separated from it by a narrow channel. Round Hill, which rises about 1 mile within the NW point of Wilson Island, is 216m high. Foul ground, marked by numerous coral heads, extends from the NW point of Wilson Island to Briton Point on John Lawrence Island.
Nicholson Island (1206N., 9257.5E.), separated from Wilson Island by a channel about 1 mile wide, rises to a height of 98m in its N part. The W side of the island is fringed by prominent steep-to white reefs. A reef extends about 0.3 mile S from the S end of the island. A shoal, with a depth of 3.2m, lies close S of this reef.
Sir William Peel Island (1205N., 9259E.), low and bordered by dense mangroves, lies 0.5 mile E of Nicholson Island. The intervening channel is available only to small craft with local knowledge. The channel between this island and Wilson Island to the N is narrow and foul.
Havelock Island (12 00N, 93 00E), is the largest of the Ritchies Archipelago. There is an L-shaped jetty, with a dolphin close SE of its head, situated at Jetty Point about 0.7 miles eastward, from the N extremity of the island; there is a depth of 1.3m at its head.
Tadma Juru (1203N., 9259E.), narrow and deep, separates Sir William Peel Island from Havelock Island to the S. Both sides of the channel are fringed by shoals which extends up to 0.2 mile offshore in places. A detached patch lies on the S side of the channel, about 0.5 mile E of Stowe Point the N end of Havelock Island. Stowe Point is marked by a beacon. Yulutang, a conspicuous hill 167m high, lies 2.8 miles SE of the point.
Rosamund Shoal (1203.5N., 9258E.), a narrow coral ledge almost awash, lies about 0.5 mile N of the N end of Havelock Island. The ledge is difficult to make out.
Directions. Vessels approaching Tadma Juru from the W, should pass S of Rosamund Shoal on a 090 course. When about 0.2 mile from the SW coast of Sir William Peel Island, course should be altered to 123, maintaining a mid-channel course. When close to the E entrance of the strait, course should be altered to 073 toward the reef fringing the SW coast of John Lawrence Island. This steep-to reef is usually visible.  When close to the edge of this reef, course should be altered to 147, which leads along the W edge of the reef and then E of Pilot Reef, which lies 1 mile S of the S end of John Lawrence Island.
Directions for proceeding in the opposite directions are given under the description of the E side of the archipelago.
Between Stowe Point and Doone Point, about 3.8 miles SW, the W coast of Havelock Island is slightly indented by an open reef-fringed bight. Anchorage can be taken off Jalebar, about 2.3 miles SSW of Stowe Point.
Between Doone Point and the S end of Havelock Island, about 9.8 miles SE, the coastal reef extends up to 0.5 mile offshore. Havelock, 1.3 miles SE of Doone Point, is a conspicuous hill, 164m high, at the W end of a bay. White cliffs, about 27m high, line the S end of the island. Sail Rock, 9m high, lies close off the S end of the island and appears as a sail on some bearings.
Ritchies Archipelago E Side. The N side of Outram Island and Charka Juru, the channel separating it from Henry Lawrence Island, have been previously described.
The E coast of Outram Island is fringed by a reef which extends up to 0.3 mile offshore. As previously stated, coral heads and foul ground extend about 0.8 mile S from the S end of Outram Island.
The E coast of Henry Lawrence Island is low, irregular, and bordered by dense mangroves. Reefs extend up to 1 mile offshore in places. A densely wooded islet lies on this reef about 4 miles S of the S end of Outram Island. 
Inglis Island (1208N., 9307E.) lies about 0.8 mile E of the wooded islet and is fringed by a drying reef on all except its NW side. This reef extends up to 0.5 mile off the NE coast where it terminates in two rocks, each about 1.2m high.  Small portions of the N and S points of the island have been detached by the action of the sea and appear as islets at high tide.
Inglis Shoals (1206.5N., 9308E.), two detached coral patches with depths of 6.8m and 8.7m, lie about 0.8 mile S and 1.8 miles SSE of the S end of Inglis Island.
During NE winds, sheltered anchorage can be taken in a depth of 12.8m off a sandy bay, close NW of Wreck Point, the S extremity of Henry Lawrence Island.
Tadma Bay (1203N., 9302E.) lies W of Runnymede Point, the S end of John Lawrence Island, and between it and Sir William Peel Island. It forms the S entrance of Paranga Juru, a narrow channel separating the two islands. It also forms the E entrance of Tadma Juru, which has been previously described.
Pilot Reef (1201N., 9302E.), about 1 mile S of Runnnymeade Point, has a least depth of 3.8m. A narrow coral reef, as defined by the 10m curve, extends about 1 mile S from Pilot Reef.
Havelock Island, S of Sir William Peel Island, is reef-fringed.  Foul ground extends up to 1.3 miles E from its NE coast to within a short distance of the ridge which extends S from Pilot Reef.
Anchorage. Anchorage can be taken in Tadma Bay, sheltered from all except S winds.
Directions. Vessels approaching Tadma Bay from the S and E can clear Pilot Reef and the foul ground E of Havelock Island by bringing the W extremity of Sir Hugh Rose Island bearing 173, and just open E of the E extremity of Neill Island. When the extremity of the reef extending S from Runnymeade Point is seen, course can be shaped to the NW into Tadma Bay.
Minerva Ledge (1204N., 9309E.), a detached rocky ledge with a least depth of 6.8m, lies about 4.5 miles ESE of Wreck Point. It lies near the outer edge of a bank, as defined by the 40m curve, that extends about 5 miles E from the S end of Henry Lawrence Island.
A Shoal (1159N., 9308E.), which is narrow and steep-to on its E side, lies centered about 6.3 miles SE of Runnymeade Point. Depths over this shoal range from 15.6 to 16.4m.9.25
 Nancowry Strait (1152N., 9303E.), between Havelock Island and Neill Island to the S, has depths of 18.2m in the fairway. A small coral patch, with a least depth of 10.4m, lies in the W part of the strait about 0.8 mile N of the NW end of Neill Island. Vessels should pass N of this danger.
Neill Island (1150N., 9303E.) rises to a height of 101m at Nipple Hill, the conspicuous NE end of the island. White cliffs border the seaward face of this end of the island. A rock, 11m high, lies about 91m off this point. Some patches, with depths of less than 5.5m, lie off the N coast. Neill Island Pier (uncharted) projects NE between drying reefs on the N side of the island and is marked at its root by a flagstaff. Murugan Temple, 12m high and conspicuous, lies 0.1 mile SW of the pier. A reef extends up to 0.5 mile off the S end of the island and is usually marked by heavily breaking seas. The S point of the Wcoast of Neill Island is formed by dark cliffs about 12.2m high.
Sir Hugh Rose Island (1147N., 9305E.), the S island of the Ritches Archipelago group, lies about 2 miles SE of Neill Island and is densely wooded. Some prominent yellow cliffs, about 24m high, border the NE point of the island.
The island has been reported to be a good radar target up to 14 miles.
Several patches, with depths of 5.5 to 11.9m, lie in the channel between Neill and Sir Hugh Rose Islands. Vessels are advised not to use this channel because the bottom is very uneven.
Deep-draft vessels passing SW of Sir Hugh Rose Island should avoid a bank with depths of 16.4 to 18.3m, which lies between 1.5 and 2.5 miles SW of the island.
Andaman Strait (1204N., 9247E.), referring to the E entrance of that strait, lies between North Point, a promontory forming the SE extremity of Baratang Island, and Point Dorrington, about 2 miles SSW. From the promontory the coast extends about 1.8 miles WSW to Entrance Hill, the N point of the inner entrance of the strait. This 77m high conical hill is conspicuous.
Andaman Strait Light is shown from the summit on North Point.
The general width of the strait ranges from 0.2 to 0.3 mile, but narrows to a width of 73m in places.
The strait has moderate depths, except for two ridges which span the strait, and over which the least depth is 3m. A bar, over which there are depths of 2.7 to 3.9m, obstructs the entrance from a position about 0.5 mile NE of Entrance Hill and South Point. The navigable width of the bar is about 183m.  A vessel with a draft of 4m has passed through the strait. The bottom throughout is of mud and sand.
A small isolated, rocky ledge topped by a 4m high prominent rock on it, lies about 0.5 mile SE of the promontory. A detached shoal, with a least depth of 2.1m, lies about 0.5 mile S of the promontory.
A coral reef, which dries in places, extends up to 0.5 mile offshore between North Point and Entrance Hill.
A ledge of drying coral extends almost 0.5 mile NE from South Point. The coast between this point, and the S point of the inner entrance of the strait about 1.5 miles W, is bordered by foul ground which extends up to 0.3 mile offshore.
Orol Kaicha (1211N., 9246E.), a small island which lies about midway between the E and W entrance of the strait, can be passed on either side but the E side is preferred.
Anchorage can be taken in depths of 16.5 to 18.3m, mud, about 1.3 miles NNE of South Point.
The coast between South Point and Wedge Point, about 1.5 miles to the S, is fringed by a drying reef that extends almost 0.3 mile offshore.
Smyth Rock (1203N., 9248E.), the outermost danger off this section of coast, lies about 1 mile E of South Point and has a least depth of 3.3m.
Whitehouse Rock, which has a least depth of 3.6m, lies 1 mile E of Wedge Point. A shoal, with a least depth of 1.2m, lies midway between this rock and the point.
A rock, barely above water, lies 0.5 mile SE of South Point.  Rocks, which dry up to 1.2m, lie about 0.4 mile N and 0.3 mile NNE of Wedge Point.
Wedge Rock, 8.5m high and prominent, lies close S of Wedge Point.
Port Meadows (1201N., 9246E.) is entered between Wedge Point and Crawley Point, a little over 1.5 mile SSW. The shores of the port are reef fringed and the low land is covered with mangroves. 
Duncan Island (1201N., 9247E.), 91m high and densely wooded, is connected to the shore W of Wedge Point by a drying shoal.
The entrance channel, for Port Meadows, SW side of Duncan Island has a least depth of 4.5m.
The E and S sides of Duncan Island are fringed by above-water and sunken rocks which extend up to 183m offshore. A prominent 5.5m high rock lies close off the SW side of the island. A drying rock lies 137m SW of this rock.
Anchorage. Anchorage can be taken in depths of 16.5 to 18.3m, about 0.2 mile W of the W point of Duncan Island.  Anchorage can also be taken in a depth of 14.6m in the center of the SW part of the harbour.
Kotara Anchorage (1158.5N., 9245E.) lies between Kotara Point and the N side of Kyd Island, about 0.8 mile to the S. This island is 205m high and rounded.
A least depth of 5.2m exists in the fairway with depths of about 8.5m being found in the entrance.
Anchorage can be taken in mud, about 0.5 mile SW of Kotara Point. Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor in mud, in the outer part of an inlet about 1.5 miles W of Kotara Point.
Shoal Bay (1156N., 9247E.) entered between the SE side of Kyd Island and Cape Masy, about 1.5 miles to the SE, is shoal over most of its area.
Depths of 5.8m are found in the narrow entrance channel decreasing to a depth of 3m about 1.5 miles within the entrance and to a depth of 1.2m at the entrance of Shoal Bay Creek.
The coast between Cape Masy and North Point, about 14.5 miles to the S, is bold and free from dangers. The land rises to form a broken ridge which parallels the coast at a distance of about 2 miles. Koyob, a peak which rises to a height of 459m, lies 6.8 miles N of North Point.
West Entrance of Andaman Strait
The W entrance of Andaman Strait, which separates Middle Andaman from South Andaman, is divided into two channels by Spike Island. Fairly deep water exists in the outer part of the main entrance which lies N of the latter island. The channel is entered between the W entrance point of Foul Bay and Breaker Point, the NW end of Spike Island. The channel abreast Foul Bay is about 0.4 mile wide between the shoals on either side, but narrows to a width of 0.2 mile between the reef extending from the NE end of Spike Island to the N. 

Andaman Strait bifurcates about 0.5 mile E of Steep Point. Homfray Strait, the N channel, separates Middle Andaman Island from Baratang Island. The S channel, which separates the latter island from South Andaman Island, retains the name of Andaman Strait. That part of the channel between Spike Island to the W and Stoat Island, Mangrove, and Tala Kaicha Islands, to the E, is known as Port Anson.

The S part of the W entrance of Andaman Strait, between Spike Island and the N end of South Andaman Island, about 0.3 mile SW, is fairly deep. This narrow, intricate channel is considered to be dangerous.
Approaches to Port Anson

Foul Bay (1219'N., 9242'E.), on the N side of the main entrance of Andaman Strait, is fouled by reefs. The coast from this bay to about 1.8 miles SSE, is fringed by a reef which extends about 0.3 mile offshore in places.

Foul ground extends almost 1 mile S from the W point of Foul Bay. A rock, with a depth of less than 1.8m, lies near the S end of this reef. Half-tide Rock, which dries 0.9m, lies 0.6 mile S of the same point.

Spike Island (1216'N., 9243'E.), whose N side forms the S side of the entrance channel, is 96m high at its N end and 76m high at its S end. The N coast of the island is fringed by a narrow reef. A vessel drawing 4.6m reported grounding about 0.4 mile E of Breaker Point. Braganza Ledge, almost 0.5 mile NW of Breaker Point, has a least depth of 8.2m.

The W side of Spike Island is fringed by a reef which extends up to 0.2 mile offshore in places. Long Rock, 1.2m high, lies 1.5 miles SSW of Breaker Point. Cingue Rocks, two groups of above-water rocks, lie about 0.3 and 0.5 mile S of Long Rock.

Taylor Patches (1216'N., 9242'E.), which have a least depth of 8.7m, lie about 1.5 miles SW of Breaker Point. A shoal area, with a least depth of 7.3m, lies 0.5 mile W of Long Rock.

Bluff Island (1215'N., 9242'E.), 30m high to the tops of the trees, lies in the mouth of the S entrance channel, close N of the N end of South Andaman Island. A drying reef extends 0.3 mile W and 0.5 mile N from Bluff Island.

Andaman Strait. Vessels drawing 4m have navigated the strait. Small vessels with local knowledge should only attempt the passage during daylight hours, under favorable conditions. Such vessels should follow the directions above and steer S in mid-channel through Port Anson until W of the S end of Mangrove Island. The course should then be altered slightly E until the summit of a conical peak, to the N, is seen bearing 003 and just open E of the nearer hills that form the W side of a large mangrove valley. The course should then be shaped to about 183 and these marks kept on the bearing of 003, astern.
This course leads between the ledge of rocks that dries 2.1m and Whales Reef and other reefs to the S of it. 

When the S end of Tala Kaicha Island bears 090, the course should be altered to about 220 for the S point of Spike Island, giving a berth of about 0.3 mile to the E side of the strait until about 0.6 mile distant from the S point of Spike island. The course should then be altered to pass 0.2 mile E of that point. When the same point bears 000, the course should be altered to the S to proceed along the W side of the strait, about 0.2 mile off the W shore.

When the W end of Baby Island (1211'N., 9244'E.), an island with two hillocks, located at the W end of the narrows about 3 miles SSE of the S end of Spike Island, bears about 113, the course should be altered to pass S of that point and continue in mid-channel through the strait.

Vessels should not attempt to pass through the narrows during the strength of the tidal streams at springs. Slack water occurs at the times of HW and LW at Sri Vijaya Puram. The tidal currents are weak at neaps.

Cape Bluff (1212'N., 9240'E.) the NW end of South Andaman Island, is fronted by dangers which extend about 1 mile offshore. The coast between this cape and Petrie Island, about 15.5 miles SSW, is clear of off-lying dangers, except for South Bank which has been previously described. The shallowest part of this bank lies 15 miles WNW of Cape Bluff.

Port Campbell (1157'N., 9235'E.), almost landlocked and well-sheltered, is entered between Petrie Island and Montgomery Island, about 1.8 miles SSW. The cliffs in the vicinity of the port are yellowish-gray sandstone with clearly defined stratum lines.

Petrie Island (1158'N., 9237'E.), which lies on the N side of the entrance, is joined to the N extremity of Defence Island by reefs and shoals. This latter island forms part of the E side of the port. 

An area of shoal ground extends 0.5 mile S from Petrie Island and a similar shoal, with some rocks awash, extends about 1 mile W from the middle part of Defence Island.

Montgomery Island (1156'N., 9235'E.), on the S side of the entrance, is joined to the mainland by foul ground. The E side of this island is fringed by foul ground. A detached patch, with depths of 9.1 to 11.9m, lies about 0.8 mile NE of Montgomery Island..9.11
Anchorage. Vessels can anchor in the entrance in a depth of 21.9m, about 0.8 mile NE of Montgomery Island. Anchorage can be taken in a depth of 23.8m a little over 1 mile SE of the same island.

Directions. Vessels can approach the latter anchorage in depths of not less than 18.3m by passing close N of the 9.1 to 11.9m patch previously mentioned, on a 090 course until the W point of Petrie Island bears 000. A course of 180 should then be steered until the N end of Montgomery Island bears 305. A course of 130 should then be steered and anchorage taken when the NW end of Defence Island bears 003. 

A reef fringes the coast between Montgomery Island and Palmer Point, about 15 miles to the S and an area of shoal ground extends up to 2.5 miles S from Palmer Point. A 5.5m patch lies near the S end of this shoal ground.

Constance Bay (1142'N., 9236'E.), entered between Palmer Point and Florence Point, about 2 miles to the SE, is foul.

Port Mouat (1137'N., 9238'E.), entered between Perseus Point and Andromeda Point about 0.8 mile S, extends about 1.5 miles E through a narrow channel to a landlocked basin.

The entrance channel between the extending reefs on either side is about 0.3 mile wide, but about 1 mile to the E the channel narrows to a width of only about 91m. Two detached patches, having depths of 4.3 and 4.6m, lie in the middle of the narrowest part of the channel. Depths E and Wof these patches range from 12.8 to 20m. Depths in the landlocked basin to the E range from 7.3 to 10m.

Small fishing vessels with local knowledge frequently use the port as an anchorage. It is advisable to buoy the two shoal patches which lie in the narrowest part of the channel prior to entering.

Labyrinth Islands (1135'N., 9234'E.)
The Labyrinth Islands, consisting of 14 islands and islets, lie off the SW side of South Andaman Island. All of these islands are rocky and fringed by reefs which extend up to 1 mile offshore along their seaward faces. Large blocks of these extending reefs have been broken off by the sea during the SW monsoon and have been tossed up onto the reefs where they appear as rocky boulders.

Tarmugli Island (1135'N., 9234'E.), the NW island of the group, a tree is 79m high and lies with Frederick Point, its NW end, about 4.5 miles WSW of Perseus Point. Two rocks, each 4.6m high, lie close off the cliffy S side of the island.

A large area of foul ground extends up to 2.5 miles N from the reef which fringes the N coast of the island. Allen Patches, partly awash, lie on the outer part of this foul ground about 2 miles NE of Frederick Point. A 5.5m patch was reported to lie about 2.5 miles NE of the same point.


Hobday Island (1132'N., 9237'E.), which lies close NE of Malay Island, has a rocky ledge extending 0.5 mile S from its SE side. A ridge, with depths of 6.4 to 8.2m, extends 0.5 mile farther S.

Redskin Island (1133'N., 9236'E.) lies close NW of Malay Island. It has been reported that Elphinstone Passage, which leads between the W side of Redskin Island and Snob Island, 46m high, is used by local fishing craft proceeding to Port Mouat. Snob Island is 75m high and lies W of Redskin Island.
Grub Island (11 35N, 92 36E), 24m high with a yellow cliff on it, lies 1.5 miles E of Tarmugli Island.
Sri Vijaya Puram (11 40 N., 9244 E.)
Sri Vijaya Puram is entered between North Point and South Point, about 2.3 miles to the S. The port consists of an inlet 4 miles long which is entered through two channels, one on each side of Ross Island. The port is divided into an exposed outer harbour and a landlocked inner harbour. The port is the headquarters of the Chief Commissioner, who is representative of the Indian Government for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The principal administrative offices lie at the village of Aberdeen on the S side of the harbour about 1 mile WNW of South Point. The port officer also resides at Aberdeen. Sri Vijaya Puram is the site of an Indian Naval Base, but has little commercial importance.
Sri Vijaya Puram Port Control may be contacted on VHF channels 10, 12, and 16 for port instructions.
Winds Weather. Sri Vijaya Puram has a mean temperature of 28C. Storm signals are displayed at the light station on Ross Island. The Indian General System is in use.
Tides Currents. The currents in Sri Vijaya Puram are weak and are affected by the prevailing winds. The rates rarely exceed 1 knot. During the NE monsoon, the current sets S and during the SW monsoon it sets between N and E. Heavy seas and swells occur in the outer harbour during the NE monsoon. The inner harbour is well-sheltered and experiences no sea or swell.  The mean range of the tide is 1.4m and the spring range is 2m.
The Coast between Cape Masy and north point, the north entrance of Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 miles S, is bold and free from dangers out side  mile offshore. With in the coast the land rises to broken ridge on which Koyob, a mountain 459m, stands 6  miles N of North Point.