Sketch by Jack Chalker

Kingfisher PsI  INFM 2

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Page 47tn

-2-

There is sand along the shore in front of the jungle for about 4.5 mls of this distance, but it is fronted by a solid coral reef which prevents landings.

SOUTHward of the two islands the coast s fronted by a wide shoal of mixed sand- and-mud which extends to the entrance to SANDAKAN Harbour. The shore behind the NW half of the shoal is mangrove, and behind the SE part is higher, wooded ground. At the middle there is a short strip of sandy shore which might be used for landing (Beach 1).

On each side of TANJONG PAPAT, at the entrance to SANDANKAN Harbour, there are beaches which might be suitable for landing. (See Beach 2).

SANDAKAN HARBOUR

SANDAKAN Harbour is a large bay extending about 15 mls inland from the entrance and about 3 to 6 mls wide. The entronce to the bay, between TANJONG PAPAT and BERHALA. Island on the NW and TANJONG ARU on the SE, is about 1.25 mls wide.

BERHALA Island lies about 1 mile NORTH-EASTward o:f TANJONG PAPAT, its red streaked cliffs are conspicuous from seaward. There is a leper colony on the island near a good beach on the SE side. Landing could be made on this beech and on another across the island to the WEST.

The town of SANDAKAN (Landing-place 3), is on the NORTH side of the harbour about 1 ml SW of TANJONG PAPAT. Sandy shore, with some mud admixture, stretches about 2 mls WESTward from the main part of the town, past the native village and saw mills, and ends in a wide sand beach. Between this beach and PAVITT Point, about 1 ml SOUTHward, there is a sand-and-mud  shore with many fish traps. There are two native villages here.

The inner part of the bay, from PAVITT Point to TRUSAN DUYON, is mostly unsurveyed and entirely undeveloped. The shores are fringed with mangrove swamps backed by jungle. There are no good landing places. PULAU BAI, an island about 2 mls long, lies in the harbour 3.25 mls SOUTH of SANDAKAN.

TANJONG ARU, the EAST side of the harbour entrance, is law and sandy (Beach 4), It is on an island separated from the mainland by TRUSAN DYAN ( DUYONG). From there to the River (KUALA KINABATANGAN BESAR or DEWHURST BAY)  the coast is composed of islands of varying sizes which are separated from the mainland by swampy streams and narrow  waterways. There is dense jungle and same mangrove, front by sandy beaches which are frequently broken by small streams. Landings could be made along this coast (Beach 5) but movement inland would be very difficult.

Anchorages

The Admiralty classification of S.ANDAKAN Harbour is a "D" anchorage. The holding ground and shelter is good. A.ny number of ships cauld be accommodated, but size is limited by depths in the approach.

Beaches and Landing Places

No 1 Beach - 2 mls NW of TANJONG PAPAT.

 

 

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[John Wanless] [Jesselton] [Sandakan] [The Rescue] [Operation Kingfisher 2] [Japanese Occupation] [Kranji] [Dispatches - London Gazette]

 

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