Chart 4017 	Expedition and Grand Harbour 


Camorta Island (8°09'N., 93°29'E.), separated from Tillanchong Island to the NNE by a channel about 12 miles wide, is very irregular in shape and hilly. A 52m hill lies close to the NE end of the island and a 186m high hill lies 1 mile N of the S end of the island. A 132m hill lies at the SE end of a range of hills that extends 4 miles SE from a position 1 mile SE of the NW end of the island. Mount Edgecumbe, a tree-covered hill 109m high, lies about 4.3 miles N of the S end of the island. 
Several villages and huts lie along the shores of the island.
The W coast is indented by bays which form Dring Harbour and Expedition Harbour. Nancowry Island lies close S of and overlaps the S end of Camorta Island. Nancowry Harbour, a secure, land-locked inlet, lies between them.
The NE coast of Camorta Island has not been closely examined. The SE side of the island is separated from Trinkat Island by Beresford Channel. The E entrance of Nancowry Harbour lies between the SE end of Camorta Island and the NE end of Nancowry Island. The approach to this entrance leads through Beresford Channel.
A coral bank, with depths of 25.6 to 27.4m, lies about 6 miles ENE of Horace Point, the N extremity of Camorta Island.

Tides—Currents.—The tidal currents off the E coast of Camorta Island, between a position about 2 miles WNW of the NW end of that island and a position between the entrances of Expedition and Nancowry Harbours, set S on the flood and N on the ebb. At springs, the N current attains a rate of 3 knots about 2 to 3 miles offshore. The S current attains a rate of 0.8 to 1.3 knots. At neaps, the N current attains a rate of 0.8 to 1.3 knots and the S current a rate of 0.3 to 0.8 knot.
At springs, tide rips frequently occur at various places all along the coast at variable distances offshore.

West Coast.—The W coast of Camorta Island, between Horace Point and Kai-hoa Village, almost 3.8 miles SW, is reef-fringed up to 0.5 mile offshore. From the village the coast extends SW for 1.3 miles and then S for 7.5 miles to Cave Point, the N entrance point of Expedition Harbour. Dring Harbour, which is available only to boats, is entered 2.3 miles N of Cave Point.
A 22m shoal lies about 6.5 miles NW of Cave Point.
The coast, between Satellite Point, the S entrance point of Expedition Harbour, and Reef Point, the S extremity of the island, is fringed by a narrow reef. This latter point is the N entrance point of the W entrance of Nancowry Harbour.

Sanderson Rock (8°07'N., 93°27'E.), which has a least depth of 1.5m, lies about 2.3 miles NW of the entrance of Dring Harbour. The rock lies near the W extremity of a shallow shoal that extends 10.3 miles offshore.
A rocky shoal, with a least depth of 8.2m, lies 0.5 mile offshore about midway between the entrances of Dring and Expedition Harbours.
Temporary anchorage can be taken almost anywhere off the W coast of Camorta Island, N of Expedition Harbour in depths of 18.3 to 36.6m, poor holding ground. Vessels anchoring S of the harbour are advised to anchor in depths of 36.6m.
Vessels can anchor off Kai-hoa Village in depths of 12.8 to 16.5m, about 1 mile offshore. Perseus Reef provides no protection during the SW monsoon.
Anchorage can be taken in depths of 17.4m off the entrance of Dring Harbour, about 0.7 mile W of the S entrance point, with that point bearing 089° and in line with a 64m hill near the head of the harbour. This is considered to be the best anchorage off this coast, because there is little or no current.
East Coast.—From the NE point of Camorta Island, about 1.5 miles E of Horace Point, the E coast of the island curves SSW and then SSE in a wide curve for about 8.5 miles and then S for 3.5 miles to Naval Point. A beacon lies about 0.8 mile N of this point. This point forms the N side of the E entrance of Nancowry Harbour. An L-shaped jetty extends from a position close WNW of Naval Point, and has a depth of about 11m at its seaward end. A reef extends up to 1 mile offshore along this entire stretch of coast except off Moshoit Village, where it lies only 0.3 mile off. The village lies about 4 miles SSW of the NE point of the island. This coastal reef is readily seen under favorable light conditions.
Caution is necessary when approaching this coast between the NE end of Camorta Island and the N entrance of Beresford channel, because this area has not been closely examined.

Trinkat Island (8°05'N., 93°35'E.), which lies between 1.5 and 2.5 miles E of the S part of Camorta Island, is separated from that island to the W and NW by False Bay and Beresford Channel. Trinkat Island is low, level, and covered by coconut trees. An extensive reef surrounds the island. Morrel Point, the S end of the island, is marked by a beacon.

Beresford Channel (8°07'N., 93°33'E.) is entered from the S through False Bay. Both shores are fronted by reefs and shoals that extend almost 0.8 mile offshore. A number of shoals, with depths of 5.5 to 11m, lie in the middle of the S part of the channel. The channel on both sides of Middle Reef, which lies about 3.5 miles NNW of Morrel Point, is about 183m wide. The W channel has depths of 7.6 to 25.6m and the E channel has depths of 5.8 to 20.1m. The area N of Trinkat Island has not been closely examined.
Expedition Harbour and Grand Harbour

Expedition Harbour (8°03'N., 93°30'E.) is landlocked, and together with Grand Harbour its extension to the NE, is of considerable size. A low, narrow peninsula separates Expedition Harbour from Nancowry Harbour to the S. The entrance of Expedition Harbour lies between Cave Point and Satellite Point, about 0.3 mile SSE.
The S and E sides of the harbour are indented by coves, fringed by reefs and mangroves. Hoau Village lies about 0.3 mile ESE of Edgecumbe Point. The latter point lies a little over 1 mile NE of Satellite Point. The coast from Edgecumbe Point extends E and N to Edye Point, about 0.9 mile NNE, the S entrance point of Grand Harbour.

Wasp Point (8°03'N., 93°29'E.) lies about 0.3 mile SE of Cave Point and forms the inner entrance point of the harbour. The coast from Wasp Point extends NNE for 0.7 mile to Devils Point, then N and NE for about 1.3 miles to the N entrance point of Grand Harbour. A conspicuous palm tree lies close N of this point.
Grand Harbour is entered between Edye Point, the N end of the promontory separating Grand Harbour from Expedition Harbour, and a point about 0.3 mile to the N. The harbour is about 2 miles long in a N and S direction. Two creeks indent the E shore. The bay at the N of the harbour is foul.

Depths—Limitations.—Coral patches, which dry 1.2m, lie 0.2 mile SSE of Cave Point.
A channel, about 91m wide and having depths of over 18.3m, forms the inner entrance of Expedition Harbour, between the reefs fringing Wasp Point and Satellite Point. The channel passes about 91m N of the latter point. 
Middle Reef, an extensive drying shoal, lies in the middle of the fairway, abreast of Devils Point. A channel, about 183m wide and having depths of 12.4m, leads between the SE end of Middle Reef and the reef fringing Edgecumbe Point.
A drying reef extends 0.2 mile SE from Foul Point, about 0.5 mile NE of Devils Point. A channel, about 183m wide with a least depth of 23.8m, leads between the SW end of this reef and the N end of Middle Reef.
Grand Harbour has depths of 7.3 to 14.6m in its middle part. Foul ground extends up to 0.3 mile off the salient points.

Anchorage.—Vessels can anchor in 18.3m, mud, with Devils Point bearing 340°, distant 0.3 mile. Vessels intending to stay are advised to use Nancowry Harbour, because of the swarms of mosquitoes which infest this anchorage.

Directions.—Vessels wishing to enter Expedition Harbour are advised to wait until the sun is high, and is possible to enter at LW, when all the fringing reefs and dangers are visible. Vessels approaching from the N or S should keep at least 1 mile off the coast until abeam of the entrance. When Hoare Village opens out in the entrance and bears 071°, vessels should alter course to this heading taking care to avoid the fringing dangers on both sides of the channel. When Devils Point bears 000°, course can be altered to the NNE which leads to the recommended anchorage.
Vessels not having local knowledge should not proceed above Devils Point into Grand Harbour until the N end of Middle Reef and the SW end of the drying reef fringing Foul Point are clearly visible.
Nancowry Harbour (8°01'N., 93°31'E.)

Nancowry Harbour (8°01'N., 93°31'E.) lies between the S coast of Camorta Island and the N coast of Nancowry Island. This spacious, landlocked harbour is deeply indented by several bays and inlets. The harbour can be entered by deep-draft vessels either through the E or W entrance during either monsoon to take sheltered anchorage. Both entrances are readily identified from the offing. The harbour consists of four bays, Satellite Bay and Fort Bay on the N side, and Wasp Bay and Spiteful Bay on the S side. Cross Harbour lies between Fort Bay to the N and Spiteful Bay to the S.
Nancowry Harbour has been reported to be a good radar target up to 25 miles.

Tides—Currents.—The tidal currents set E on the flood and W on the ebb. These currents have considerable strength in the entrances, but are very weak within the harbour. Between Man Point and Indian Point the currents are very strong on both tides.

Depths—Limitations.—The depths in the W entrance are over 18.3m and the depths in the E entrance range from 11 to 42m. A depth of 22m exists in the three recommended anchorage areas.
West Entrance.—The W entrance of the harbour lies between Reef Point and Man Point on the N side and Burleigh Rock and Indian Point on the S side. The latter point, which forms the NW extremity of Nancowry Island, lies NE of Burleigh Rock. The W entrance can be identified by vessels up to 5 miles offshore by the trend of the coast inland to form its S side. Reef Point can be identified by a white mark on it and would otherwise be very difficult to identify. This mark cannot be relied on. Man Point is also difficult to identify. There is a least depth of 11.9m in the fairway of the entrance which is about 183m between the dangers on each side.

Northbrook Patch (7°59'N., 93°29'E.), which has a least depth of 4.5m, lies about 0.3 mile SSW of Reef Point. Shoal patches lie between this danger and the coast to the W of the point.
Burleigh Rock, 11m high and topped by a wooded summit, is joined to the SE by a reef. Foul ground extends about 137m NW and 91m N from the rock. A patch, with a depth of 7.6m, lies 0.2 mile SSW of the rock.
East Entrance Approaches.—The approach to the E entrance lies between Morrel Point, the S extremity of Trinkat Island to the NE, and Laire and Reid Points to the SW. The latter two points lie on the NE coast of Nancowry Island. Trinkat Island is easily distinguished from Camorta Island, which is higher and more open.
A disc beacon lies on Reid Point and a similar beacon lies about 91m NNW of Morrel Point.
The coast between Laire Point and Reid Point is fronted by an extensive reef which extends up to 0.5 mile offshore. The edge of this reef, except at HW and on very calm days, is marked by breakers.
A shoal, with a least depth of 5.6m lies on the edge of the shore bank, about 0.4 mile ENE of Reid Point. A 9.8m patch lies near the center of the channel about 0.5 mile NE of the same point.

Eastern Shoals (8°02'N., 93°34'E.), a large shoal area with depths of less than 11m, extends from 1 mile SSW to 1 mile WSW of Morrel Point. Depths of 9.7 and 8.6m lie close within the outer edge of Eastern Shoals.
The dangers N of an imaginary line joining Naval and Marrel Points have been previously described under Beresford Channel.
East Entrance.—The E entrance of Nancowry Harbour lies between Naval Point to the N, and between Reid and Mayo Points to the S. A beacon lies on Mayo Point.
Naval Point Light shows from a structure 0.2 mile S of

Naval Point (8°02'N., 93°22'E.).
The entrance channel, which is about 0.2 mile wide between the fringing dangers on either side, has a least depth of 11m.
Shoal ground, as defined by the 10m curve, extends up to 0.3 mile ESE and about 0.3 mile S from Naval Point.
The shore bank, as defined by the 10m curve, lies between Reid and Mayo Points and extends up to 0.3 mile offshore about midway between them.
A detached 7.3m shoal lies 0.3 mile NW of Reid Point, close off the above bank.
A white metal beacon with a ball topmark lies about 0.2 mile S of Naval Point near the edge of the reef. A similar beacon lies 1 mile N of the same point on the edge of the shore reef.

Wasp Bay (8°00'N., 93°31'E.), which forms the SW part of Nancowry Harbour, lies between the W entrance and an imaginary line drawn between Easter Point and Leda Point to the ENE. Itoe Village, which lies on the E shore of the bay about 0.5 mile S of Leda Point, serves as a good mark.
Wasp Bay has depths of over 18.3m in its central part, but is fouled by some dangers and irregular depths around its shores.
A shoal, with a least depth of 2m, lies 0.2 mile offshore about 0.5 mile NNE of Man Point, which lies 0.3 ENE of Reed Point. A shoal, with a least depth of 4.8m, lies about 0.5 mile NE of the same point. Foul ground, with depths of less than 11m, extends 0.3 mile SE and 0.5 mile ENE from Easter Point.
A drying rock lies in the E part of the bay, a little over 1 mile SSW of Leda Point and about 0.3 mile offshore. Shoals, with depths of 4.9 to 12m, lie between this rock and the shore reef.

Alfrey Shoal (8°01'N., 93°31'E.), having a depth of 8.2m, lies almost in mid-channel, a little over 0.5 mile SW of Leda Point.

Satellite Bay (8°02'N., 93°30'E.), which forms the NW part of Nancowry Harbour, is entered between Easter Point and Alfred Point, about 1.3 miles NE. Alfred Point has been reported to be a good radar target up to 21 miles.
A deep channel, about 0.3 mile wide, leads between the W side of Alfrey Shoal and the E side of the foul ground, which extends 0.5 mile ENE from Easter Point. Depths of 11 to 24.5m exist in the outer part of the bay.

Satellite Patch (8°01'N., 93°30'E.), which lies about 0.7 mile SW of Alfred Point, has a least depth of 3.7m. A 6.5m patch lies about 183m S of this patch, and shoal patches, with depths of 5.5 to 11m, lie between Satellite Patch and the coast to the N and NW. Shoal ground, as defined by the 11m curve, extends 0.3 mile SSW from Alfred Point and 0.3 mile NW and N from Leda Point.

Cross Harbour (8°02'N., 93°32'E.) is entered from the W between Alfred and Leda Points, and from the E between Naval and Mayo Points. Depths in the harbour area range from 21.9 to 53.1m, mud.

Fort Bay (8°02'N., 93°31'E.), entered between Alfred Point and Ray Point about 1 mile ENE, recedes about 0.8 mile NNW. The latter point can be identified by two radio masts which lie 0.2 mile to the NE. Battery Point, which lies 0.2 mile NW of Ray Point, can be identified by a conspicuous clump of casuarina trees about the same distance to the N. A flag staff lies close NE of Ray Point.
Depths in the bay range from 12.5 to 27m in its central part, shoaling gradually to the coastal reef which fringes its shores. A wreck, with a depth of 14.6m, lies about 0.3 mile W of Ray Point.

Spiteful Bay (8°01'N., 93°32'E.), the SE part of Nancowry Harbour, is entered between Mayo Point and Leda Point. A village lies on the E shore of the bay about 0.3 mile S of Mayo Point.
A 8.8m patch lies about in the middle of the entrance, about 0.3 mile ENE of Leda Point.
Depths of 14.2 to 21.5m are found in the outer part of the bay, shoaling gradually to the drying flats at its head. Shoals on the W side of the bay extend up to 0.3 mile offshore.

Anchorage. 
Excellent anchorage is provided in the outer part of Fort Bay in a depth of 21.9m, mud, with the conspicuous clump of trees previously mentioned bearing about 075°, distant 0.3 mile. The wreck previously mentioned should be given a wide berth. This anchorage is well-sheltered and little current is experienced. 
Anchorage can be taken in the middle of the entrance of Spiteful Bay in a depth of 21.9m. This anchorage is somewhat exposed to the sea breezes.
Anchorage can be taken in the fairway of the E entrance of Nancowry Harbour, in convenient depths, on a line joining the stone jetty and the village of Mala about 0.2 mile SSW of Mayo Point.
Directions—West Entrance.—Vessels should approach the W entrance from the SW in order to avoid the dangers extending SSW from Reef Point and terminating in Northbrook Patch. The conspicuous clump of casuarina trees near Battery Point, midway between Man and Indian points, bearing about 039°, leads SE of Northbrook Patch. When Reef Point bears 000°, it should be steered for on that bearing until Burleigh Rock bears 090°. Then the course should be gradually altered to the NE, avoiding the foul ground which extends NW from Burleigh Rock, and course shaped to pass midway between Man Point and Indian Point. In passing between these points, vessels should have good steerage way as the currents are strong and there are many eddies.
After passing Man Point, the course should be altered to about 051°, and when about 0.8 mile off the village, course should be altered N, passing close W of Alfrey Shoal and E of the 4.8m shoal, about 0.3 mile W of Alfrey Shoal.
When Mayo Point bears about 080° and is open N of Leda Point, the course should be altered E and the radio masts NE of Ray Point should be steered for on a course of 055°. This course leads between the dangers extending from Leda and Alfred Points and into Fort Bay where anchorage can be taken as convenient.
Directions—East Entrance.—Vessels approaching the E entrance should keep Reid Point bearing 281° and in line with Alfred Point. This course leads S of Easter Point. When the right tangent of Trinkat Island bears 034°, the course should be altered N to bring Bay Point Beacon to bear 309° and kept on that bearing which leads NE of the reef fronting the coast between Laire and Reid Points. 
When Mayo Point bears 261°, the course should be altered to 268° to pass midway between Naval Point and the N shore of Nancowry Island, about 0.5 mile S. This track passes 183m S of a shoal with 5.8m of water above, situated 0.5 mile SE of Naval Point and 0.2 mile N of another shoal with a depth of 6.7m on the S side of the entrance. When clear of Mayo Point, course can be altered to the N to clear the spit extending NW from Mayo Point. Anchorage can be taken, as convenient, in Fort Bay.

Nancowry Harbour (8°01'N., 93°31'E.), although providing excellent shelter for all classes of vessels, has but few facilities. The residence of the Government Agent lies about 0.3 mile WNW of Naval Point. 
A stone jetty, 118.9m long, with wooden extension projecting about 100m SW and W from its head, lies about 0.3 mile WNW of Naval Point. There are depths of about 11m at the outer end of the jetty. The approach to the jetty requires much attention as there are shoals and rocks in the vicinity.
A wooden jetty, 71.6m long and 6.1m wide, extends in a W direction from the shore about 0.2 mile SSW of Mayo Point.