SINGAPORE OLD STRAITS AND NEW HARBOUR. 31 
Vol II. page 93 
Johore has the benefit of a fine deep large river which admits 
of two entrances into it. The smaller is from the westward 
called by the Europeans the Straits of Sincapure but by the 
Natives Salleta le Brew (Sélat Tébrau). It runs along the side 
of Sincapure Island for 5 or 6 leagues together and ends at the 
great river of Johore. 
Wel. page 123. -. 
Upon the East side of the great Carimon is the entrance of 
the straits of Drions [Durian! and between the small Carimon 
and Tanjong bellong | Tanjong Bulus] on the continent is the en- 
trance of the Straits of Sincapure before mentioned and also into 
the Straits of Governadore, the largest and easiest passage into 
the China seas. 
This is probably the ‘locus classicus’ whence the tradition that — 
the Sélat Tébrau forms the old straits of Singapore was. derived. 
It would seem that between 1600 and 1700 the passage through 
Keppel Harbour fell into such complete disuse by European vessels 
that its very existence was forgotten. It was probably convenient 
for those ships only which could be worked with sweeps or towed 
with reship’s boats in case of lack of wind, and hence as the size of 
shipping increased it went out of fashion. 
1826 
Singapore Chronicle August 1826 
(quoted in Moor’s Notices of the Indian Archipelago Singapore 
1827, page 276 ) 
These (remarks) are from the Notes of Captain Rous and the 
officers of H.M.S. Rainbow and may be relied on as correct. 
| After a recommendation to stand closer in shore from Formosa 
Point to Pulau Pisang than Horsburgh approves of, the passage 
continues.| On reaching Singapore straits if a vessel is unable 
to weather Barn Island with the wind to the Southward she 
should bear up for the passage through the Selat Sinki or New 
Harbour. This will be found safe and expeditious for vessels 
under 600 tons burden but for ships of a larger size it is narrow 
and confined. The entrance to the passage bears E.N.E. from 
Sultan Shoal and is bold on each side, the only danger being a 
two fathom bank on the South side. After clearing the narrows 
and opening Singapore Harbour steer along Trumba Trumbaya 
reef a cable’s length off and when well to the Southward edge 
away for the anchorage. 
The passage above described was effected with success by 
H.M.S. Rainbow, the first vessel that has ever come through in- 
tentionally. The ‘ William Parker,’ a free trader passed through 
by mistake some time ago and it was generally considered a very 
dangerous experiment. The enterprise of Captain Rous has how- 
ever established its practicability and these notes and observa- 
tions which were taken with great care will render the passage 
easy and safe for navigators. In these operations we understand 
R. A. Soc., No: 60, I9II. 
