Stewart Sound to Elphinstone harbour - 403
Stewart Sound
Stewart Sound (13°00'N., 93°02'E.), which contains several bays and inlets within its limits, lies within Sound Island between Cadell Point and Cape Vestal, about 11 miles SSW. The hills surrounding the sound are covered with dense jungle. White Mountain, 395m high and prominent, lies 2 miles WSW of Cape Vestal at the N end of the E coastal range of Middle Andaman Island. Ray Hill, a conspicuous cone-shaped hill 106m high, lies 5.7 miles SW of Cadell Point. The hill serves as a good mark for vessels approaching the S entrance of the sound. Ridges of high land span Sound Island in all directions and are prolonged in spurs up to the entrance points of the numerous bays that indent the island. The conspicuous summit of Sound Island is 147m high and lies 1 mile WSW of Simpson Point.
Stewart Sound is of great extent and contains the principal port of North Andaman Island. Several lumber camps and settlements are found around the shores of the sound.
Austin Strait (12°54'N., 92°53'E.), which separates North and Middle Andaman Islands, has its E entrance at the head of a shallow bay on the S side of Stewart Sound.
Tides-Currents.-The tidal currents set N on the rising tide and S on the falling tide. They attain a spring rate of 1.5 knots in the narrow parts of the sound. The N current attains a rate of 0.3 knot, and the S current a rate of 2 knots, S of Comp Bay, a small bight on the N side of the N entrance. The tidal currents close N of Takla Oyster Point set SW on the rising tide and NE on the falling tide. During the strength of the SW monsoon, the SW current is very weak, but the NE current attains a rate of 2 knots.
Sound Island (12°58'N., 92°59'E.) is an irregular-shaped island lying in the entrance of Stewart Sound. Above and below-water rocks extend about 0.5 mile NE from Simpson Point, the NE end of the island. Mitchell Point, the SE extremity of the island, is fringed by a drying reef that extends 0.3 mile SSW from it. Square Rock, 5m high and prominent, lies on the Wside of the outer part of the reef. A lighted beacon lies on Square Rock. Jones Point, the SW extremity of Sound Island, is fringed by a drying reef on which there is a ridge of rocks extending 0.4 mile S to SE. A rock, that dries 2.4m, lies near the end of this ridge.
North Entrance.-The N entrance of the sound lies between Cadell Point and Simpson Point. Elphin Patch, which lies near the middle of the entrance, has a depth of less than 5.6m near its center. Morlond Rock, which dries 2.4m, lies about 0.4 mile SW of Cadell Point. Shoal ground, with a least depth of 4.6m near its outer end, extends about 0.3 mile SSE from the rock.
Oliver Island (13°00'N., 93°00'E.), 24m high, lies 1 mile W of Simpson Point. There are considerable depths in the channel between it and Sound Island.
Sunk Reef (13°00'N., 92°59'E.), which dries 0.6m, lies 0.8 mile NW of Oliver Island.
A group of drying rocks lie about 1 mile W of Oliver Island.  An area of shoal ground extends about 0.3 mile SW from the group.
Oyster Island (12°59'N., 92°59'E.), 2 m high, lies 0.8 mile WSW of Oliver Island.
Stewart Island (13°01'N., 92°56'E.), which lies in a shallow bay on the NW side of the sound, is covered with jungle growth. A drying mud bank joins the NW side of the island with North Andaman Island.
Marsack Shoals (12°57'N., 92°57'E.) consist of two small patches that lie close together at the S end of the channel, between Sound Island and North Andaman Island. The E patch has a least depth of 5.2m and the S patch a least depth of 2m.
South Entrance.-The S entrance of the sound lies between Mitchell Point and Cape Vestal, about 5 miles SSW.  Five Fathom Patch, a fairly large shoal with depths of 9m to 18.6m, lies about in the middle of the S entrance. Convict Patch, with depths 3.6m to 6.8m, lies 1 mile N of Cape Vestal. Some rocks, with depths of less than 1.8m, lie on the shoal. A 10.6m shoal lies about 2 miles ENE of the same point.
Aves Island (12°55'N., 92°56'.2E.), 23m high and conspicuous, lies about 2 miles SW of Sound Island. A drying reef connects the island to Aves Point to the WSW.
Takla Oyster Point (12°55'N., 92°55'E.), about 1.5 miles WNW of Aves Point, is the N end of a promontory which forms the E side of a shallow bay. The E entrance of Austin Strait lies at the head of this bay.
A shoal, with a least depth of 3.2m, lies almost 0.5 mile E of Takla Oyster Point.
Berkeley Island Group (12°56'N., 92°54'E.) consists of Orchid, Curlew, Egg and Dottrel Islands, which lie in the approach to Bacon Bay to the W and NW of Takla Oyster Point. All except Dottrel Island are identifiable from abeam of Square Rock. Several prominent trees, some wooden huts, together with a red-roofed bungalow on its NE side, makes Curlew Island identifiable.
A shoal, having a depth of 11m, lies almost 0.3 mile S of the S end of Orchid Island. A rock, which uncovers 2.1m, lies 0.3 mile E of Curlew Island. A shoal, with depths of 7.8 to 14.6m, extends about 0.6 mile NW from the NW end of Orchid Island.
Bacon Bay (12°57'N., 92°54'E.) is entered between Brown Point and Orchid Island, about 0.3 mile WSW. The bay is well sheltered from all winds and its E part is clear of all dangers up to within 0.2 mile of the shore. A detached 13.2m patch lies about midway between Brown Point and Orchid Point.
Anchorage.-Anchorage can be taken in suitable depths in any part of Steward Sound. Anchorage can be taken in Bacon Bay in all seasons.
Anchorage can be taken in depths of 14.6 to 16.5m, almost 1 mile N of Oliver Island and in the channel between Sound Island and North Andaman Island, about 2 miles N of Jones Point. These anchorages are partially open to the NE.
Vessels calling at Mayabander Settlement, on the NW side of Takla Oyster Point, can anchor in depths of 18.3m, mud, with Egg Island bearing 272°, distant 0.5 mile and the S point of Orchid Island bearing 023°. Ample depths are available for anchoring elsewhere in this vicinity. Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor farther W of Dottrel Island but caution is advised.
Ample depths are available for anchoring at the head of Bacon Bay, or about 0.4 mile off the E shore.
Directions.-Vessels coming from the N and intending to enter by the S entrance, should pass about 0.8 mile off Square Rock and then steer for Orchid Island on a course of 284°.


Vessels proceeding to the anchorage off Mayabander Settlement should proceed as directed above until Egg Island bears 272°, and then alter course to this bearing which will lead to the anchorage. Egg Island should not be brought to bear more than 272°, until well clear of the 3.8m patch E of Takla Oyster Point.
Vessels proceeding to the anchorage in Bacon Bay should pass about 0.8 mile off Square Rock, keeping Orchid Island bearing 284° until the summit of Aves Island bears 135°. Then a course of 315°, with Aves Island astern, leads into Bacon Bay, passing midway between Orchid Island and Brown Point.  This course passes over the 13.2m patch previously mentioned.  When the summit of Ray Hill bears 050°, course can be altered for the anchorage at the head of the bay.
Vessels coming from the S should keep Ray Hill bearing 322° until Orchid Island is seen about midway between Aves Island and Jones Point, bearing 287°. The directions given above can then be followed.
Mayabander Settlement (12°55'N., 92°55'E.) lies on the NW side of Takla Oyster Point.
The local district administrator resides in a conspicuous white house with a red roof on the NE side of the point. Two conspicuous high trees 42m high lie about 0.3 mile S of the house and the ruins of a sawmill lie on the NW side of the point.
A short wooden jetty, with a depth of 2.4m alongside its head, extends from the NW side of Takla Oyster Point. In 1985, the jetty was extended 57m NE.
East Coasts of Middle Andaman Island and Baratang Island
The coast between Cape Vestal and Cape Strachan, about 9 miles SSE, is high and clear of off-lying dangers. The latter projection forms the N entrance point of Cuthbert Bay.  Mount Diavolo, 534m high, lies about 3.5 miles W of the same point. Between Cuthbert Bay and Coxon Point, about 13 miles to the S, the coast continues to be high.
Rangat Bay (12°29'N., 92°58'E.) is entered between Coxon Point and Johns Point, about 0.8 mile to the S. Both points are bold and bluffy.
A shoal, with a depth of 5.8m near its outer end, extends about 2.3 miles E from Coxon Point. The inner part of this shoal has several detached heads, with depths which range from 3 to 4.9. A rock, which dries 0.4m, lies among these heads about 0.8 mile ENE of Coxon Point.
A drying reef extends about 0.5 mile SE from Johns Point.
Anchorage can be taken in depths of 6.4 to 9.1m, midway between the entrance points of Rangat Bay. Local knowledge is required because the depths shoal rapidly within the entrance points.
Between Johns Point and a 117m promontory on Baratang Island, about 17 miles SSW, the coast is bordered by numerous islands and dangers and indented by many bays. Between the promontory and North Point, the SE end of Bartang Island, about 9 miles SW, the coast is indented by many reef fringed bays and backed inland by hilly terrain. North Point forms the N side of the S entrance of Andaman Strait.
Long Island (12°24'N., 92°56'E.) densely wooded and fringed by shoal ground, lies about 2.5 miles SSW of Johns Point. 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 (12°21'N., 92°55'E.) 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, 75m high, which lies close S of Guitar Island. Round Island lies about 183m W of the SW end of Guitar Island.
A shoal, with a least depth of 3.6m, lies about 0.8 mile SSE of Cape Dalrymple. A detached patch, with a least depth of 7.6m, lies about 1 mile SSE of the same cape.
Nancowry Ledge (12°20'N., 92°56'E.), which has depths of less than 1.8m, lies about 1.3 miles E of Cape Dalrymple.  
Anderson Rock (12°26'N., 92°59'E.), which dries 0.3m, lies 1 mile E of the N end of Long Island.
Campbell Shoal (12°25'N., 93°04'E.) lies about 6 miles ESE of the N end of Long Island and has a least depth of 6m, rock. It lies on the E side of an irregular bank about 2.8 miles long and 1.3 miles wide, which has depths which range 15.2 to 35m.
Headlam Patch (12°24'N., 92°59'E.), with a least depth of 2.2m, lies about 2.5 miles SSE of the N end of Long Island.  Depths of 5.5 to 16.2m surround this danger.
An extensive shoal, with a depth of 3m near it and a depth of 7.8m 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.
Ostmaston Shoal (12°21'N., 92°58'E.), with a least depth of 3m, lies about 1.8 miles E of Cape Smith.
North Passage Island (12°16'N., 92°56'E.), 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 (12°13'N., 92°56'E.) 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, with depths of less than 1.6m, 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 W side and at the S end of Strait Island, close N of Cross Point.
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 (Chara-juru) (12°18'N., 92°52'E.), 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.
Elphistone Harbour (12°18'.5N., 92°57'E.), 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.
Diligent Strait (Boroin Jura) (12°17'N., 93°05'E.) 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 9.8m patch lies about 0.5 mile farther E.  
North Button Island (Chauga-Len-jing) (12°19'N., 93°04'E.), 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 pillar 57m high 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 (Kaicha Wa) (12°16'.5N., 93°01'.6E.), 17m high, 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 the same distance SW from the island. A light pillar 37m high 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.