'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. II' [‎1184] (233/688)

1181:
MASlRAH
A nrlorage,—There is anchorage in 7 fathoms, sand and rock, about 11 miles north-
north-west of Ras Jidufah, but it is said to be bad probably on account of the nature of
the bottom, and landing is very difficult from the generally heavy surf and the rocky
nature of the shore.
Has Hilf. —The north-western point of the island is low and sandy at 1| miles south
ward of it, and near the western shore, is Jabal Hilf, a moderately high black hill. The
coast between Ras Jidufah and Ras Hilf is fronted by several patches of rocks, dry at
low water, extending from a quarter to half a mile off shore.
Shoals. —Between N. by W. from Ras Hilf and N. J E. from Ras Jidufah,
and distant from 3 to 5 miles from the shore, are five patches with as little as 2^ fathoms
on them, between them and the island the depths are from 3| to 7 fathoms.
Between the north extreme of Masirah and the mainland, and as far northward a?
Shaiballah, the ground is foul, with depths of from 2 to 4 fathoms, on which the sea rolls
heavily during the north-east monsoon, rendering this and of the Masirah channel un
approachable in that season, except in boats.
Clearing mark. —Jabal Jidufah bearing south-south-west leads eastward of all these
shoals.
Masirah channel and west coast of Masirah island. —The Masirah channel, between
Masirah island and the mainland, is about 35 miles long by from 8 to 12 miles wide.
Near its northern end, though its width between Ras Shanna on the mainland and Ras
Hilf on Masirah island is no loss than 8J miles, its navigable width with a depth of only
about 3 fathoms at low water, is restricted to 2| cables or less and it should not be at
tempted at all by vessels unless bound to Daua or to Unim Rasas. The channel is used
by native vessels of about 40 tons. See Directions, page 547.
From Ras Hilf, the north-western point of Masirah, the coast trends south-westward
11 miles to Ras Shaghaf, forming a slight curve and fronted by a bank which dries at low
water from 5 to 8 cables off shore, rocky foul ground extending in places from one to
two miles from the beach.
Kinasat Hilf —Is a shoal, partially dry at low water, between the northern entrance
points of the Masirah channel and U miles westward of Ras Hilf with depths of from 3 to
7 fathoms between it and the point. Between it and Dimna reef, extending from the
main land shore, the depth is but 1| fathoms, san 1 y bottom, the channel thus lying
eastward of Kinasat Hilf and along the western shore of the island.
Dawwah. —(Latitude 20° 36'N., Longitude 58° 50'E.) Is the principal village in
Masirah, and stands in a date grove close to the shore and 2 miles northward of Ras
Shaghaf. It consists of about 150 rudely thatched huts, built of mud and stone, and
contains a population of about 600. It is the residence of the Shaikh of the island.
The people are mostly very poor and appear to be either fishermen or shepherds ; they
are civil and obliging to strangers and have been known, in recent times, to show great
kindness to shipwrecked people ; a few of the wealthier class possess date groves on
the mainland.
II aler. Good water may be obtained by ships' boats from two wells at the northern
end of Dawwah, and there is good anchorage for them on the western side of Jazirat-
bin-Juwaisim. These wells are surrounded by a conspicuous belt of palm trees about
180 yards in circumference, which trees, when approaching from the northward, are seen
long before the village.
Good water may also be obtained at Ras Shaghaf, off which there is anchorage in 4
or 5 fahtoms, at from 1 to 1^ miles from the shore.
Baiyat-bin-Juwaisim. —Jazirat-bin-Juwaisim is an islet 2 miles from the Masirah shore
on and near the eastern edge of Baiyat-bin-Juwaisim which shoal is 7J miles long north
east and south-west, by 3 miles wide, and, when surveyed the greater part dried at
ow water, but the drying portion is reported to have mucH decreased in size. There is
good anchorage for boats on the western side of the island, there being a gap in the reef
on its north-western side, which allows boats to get close in. The northern edge of
Baiyat-bm-Juwaisim is one mile from Kinasat Hilf, and there are only from 2 to 4 fathoms
e ween t em. On either side of the shoal is a navigable channel for small craft, with
from 3 to 4 fathoms of water. See directions, page 647. Near the south-western edge
o t " ya in : uwaiSirn > where the general depths are 3 and 4 fathoms, is a small
2 fathoms patch.