EXPEDITION TO MOLUCCA ISLANDS. 71 



East and West direction, and, at high water, only a few of the rocka 

 above water, and a single tree from which it derives its name. The 

 9th, though the winds were still contrary, we worked on with the 

 tides, and passed Red Island on the right and Barn Island and the 

 Babbit and Coney on the left, and several other nameless islands 

 besides. The working of the different ships through these narrow 

 channels was extremely beautiful, the islands being clothed with 

 the richest luxuriance. The Surprize got a turtle from a prow that 

 came off one of the islands. We passed the island St. John's and 

 anchored for the night in sight of Point Romania. The Suffolk's 

 launch, the Mary and Armonia Avere very far astern on the 10th, 

 though the wind, was tolerably fair ; the Transports were so far 

 astern that it was one o'clock before we could get under weigh. We 

 then made sail, but were soon after again obliged to come to near 

 Point Romania. These straits are by no means well laid down, as 

 it is impossible to know the different islands and headlands from 

 any chart of them yet published. It certainly would be a very 

 desirable circumstance, to have a complete regular survey of them, 

 as from the number of different islands, channels might be disco- 

 vered, that would favour the passage of ships in either direction, 

 and with any winds, as I am informed there is a deep water and 

 good anchorage through almust all of them, but from want of 

 knowledge of them, ships being afraid of exploring new passages, 

 loose a vast deal of time. The tides here are very irregular, but in 

 general, in North-East monsoons, are observed to flow eighteen 

 hours and ebb six. The flood on the Eastern side of the strait, I am 

 told, is from the Eastward, and I am told these circumstances are 

 reversed in the opposite monsoon. It is certainly a subject well 

 worth observation to examine into the effects of the tides in these 

 straits, which must be liable to great variations in different 

 parts, from the multiplicity of islands and channels, and should 

 become an essential part of the duty of any person appointed to 

 survey them. 



Straits of Singapore, 



lltlt. — A sail in sight to the Southward, which proved, as was 

 supposed, to' be the Transfer, Captain Elmoke. We stood on with 

 the tide, but not being able to weather Pedra Branca, were obliged 



