Java's First Point 23 



calm. On the other hand, during the months of the west monsoon, 

 from December to February, the tides set strongly for about 18 hours 

 towards the north-east and flow only for (3 hours with a feeble current 

 towards the south-west. 



In the daytime the prevailing flow is interrupted by currents 

 in the opposite direction or by calms ; at night the flow is continuous, 

 reaching its maximum force at the time of new and full moon and its 

 minimum at the quarter moon. During the intermediate period, 

 November, March, and April, and at other times when the wind 

 conditions are less strongly marked, the differences in duration and 

 force of the two flows tend to disappear. 



The general direction of the currents is north-east and south-west, 

 but local variations occur depending on the form of the coast-line. 

 The direction is north-north-east and south-south-east at the northern 

 entrance to the strait on the coast of Sumatra between North island 

 and Strom Rock (Stroomklip), also on the coast of Java between 

 Third and Fourth Point (derde punt and vierde punt); between 

 Krakatau and Prince island (Prinsen Eiland) east-north-east and 

 west-south-west, between Seboekoe and Hogspitze (Varkens Hoek) 

 east-south-east and west-north-west. On the whole the current flows 

 in the Sunda Strait throughout the year much more in a south- 

 westerly than in a north-easterly direction. During the east monsoon 

 the deflexion of the south-west current towards the north-east current 

 is not infrequently so strong that, as the result also of the prevailing 

 light winds of this season, sailing ships going north are delayed for 

 days or are driven back into the strait {Segelhandbueh, p. 567). 



The current sets strongest in the northern entrance to the strait, 

 where its velocity frequently exceeds 5 kilometres per hour ; in the 

 broad channel between Krakatau and Prince island a velocity of 

 3 4 km. is not uncommon, but on an average it is only 1*5 2 km. ; 

 in the Prince Chamiel and on the Javan coast from the Second to the 

 Fourth Point the current is considerably weaker, at least that which 

 flows in a south-westerly direction. 



4. On the south-west const of Java : " Java's First Point." 



About three hours after leaving Vlakke Hoek we were in the 

 middle of the Sunda Strait ; the peak of Krakatau was visible towards 

 the east, rising above heavy clouds. Our next destination lay still 

 further south. At 3 o'clock we sighted the coast of Java and in front 

 of it Prince island. We were soon in calm water behind Prince 

 island and reached the calm bay which is enclosed by the coast 

 of Java and the small Gull island "Meeuwen Eiland." We had 



