Roadstead of Saoui in Kar-Nicohar. 83 



about the Andaman Islands, part from tlie west coast of 

 Sumatra, proceeding in the former case towards the northern 

 portions of the gulf, and in the latter towards the Coromandel 

 coast and Ceylon. 



During the S.W. monsoon, in which occurs the rainy 

 season, frequent tlmnder-storms and even gales of mnd 

 occur, especially in the vicinity of Great Nicobar. The dry 

 N.E. monsoon again brings fine weather, but sometimes 

 blows with considerable strength. 



Kar- Nicobar has no regular harbour, but presents on its 

 north side a spacious land-locked bay nearly rectangular, the 

 holding ground of which is a coral sand of from 10 to 16 

 fathoms, and is thoroughly sheltered to the S.W. and N.E. 

 During the N.E. monsoon it is advisable to lie somewhat closer 

 in with the northern promontory of the island. At this season 

 it is difficult to find any spot at which small boats can disem- 

 bark. However, near the northern point it is possible to 

 reach the shore in a small cove, the western boundary of 

 which presents an open space of coral sand, where it is 

 possible to lie to in deep water with even a good-sized boat. 

 The village of Sdoui, which gives its name to the roadstead, 

 is not readily accessible during the N.E. monsoon in conse- 

 quence of the surf, but the very next indentation of the coast 

 facing eastwards, which is protected seaward by a coral-reef, 

 offers a well-sheltered point of disembarkation, where the 

 boats can be beached on the smooth coral sand, and there- 

 after drawn up high and dry. 



G2 



