'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎612] (655/1050)

612
MMSAN
The following is a descriptive list of the principal features connected with the Farasan
islands;—
Khor Bakara. —East 5 miles from Has Farasan, is the north-western extreme of
Farasan Saghir, with the small village of Keftib on its highest part. Between
these points is the entrance of Khor Bakara, the inlet between the two Fara^
san islands which extends about 16 miles to the south-eastward. The
approach to this khor is between Khaima island and Jazirat Disan, and is
deep. In the inner part of the khor the depths are from 4 to 8 fathomsj but
in the narrowest part, about 5 miles within the entrance, there appears to be
only 3 fathoms. About 4J miles south-eastward from Ras Farasan is the vil a
lage of Sayal, and just within the narrowest part of the khor on the western
side, are two are three wells of good water, close to the beaeta
Triangle island. —About 3 miles southwestward from R&s Rasib, the iiOrthern
extreme of Farasan Saghir, is a triangular island, standing on the southern
edge of the bank extending westward from Ras Rasib to Khaima island.
Jazirat Akhain.—A bank extends eastward from Farasan Saghir, including Sail
Abadho within its limits, and from thence stretches away in a northwesterly
direction for nearly 18 miles | it consists almost entirely of shoal Water and
groups of small rocky islets; Jazirat Akbain, the largest of these, is a narrow
strip half a mile wide and a mile long, with two small islets off its northern
end and one on its eastern side.
Bail Ahadho and Dhabik Island. —Sail Abadho is 7 miles South-eastward frOm Jazi s
rat Akbain and Dhabik, 13J miles in a more southerly direction. Both are
small round coral rocks from 10 to 20 feet high, and mushroom-shaped. They
are sometimes called Pie Islands.
Khor Saghir. —On the eastern side of FarasSn Saghir, is westward of Mandhakh
island, and has its entrance along the northern side of that island. This is
a good harbour, opening out from the entrance channel into a basin 2| miles
long, east and west, by 1J miles wide, with depths from 9 to 12 fathoms, and
perfectly sheltefed from all winds and Sea. There is a Small village and
a grove of date trees on its Western and northern sides, in Which are many wells
of good water. The houses are small and built of coral, but are mostly in
ruins. No Supplies except water can be obtained, and this is said to be
Scarce in the hot Season,
Mandhakh Island. —-Separates IChOr Saghir from IChOr Hasayif. It is nearly 3
mile§ long ea§t and west, and one mile wide at its eastern end, but tapering
towards the western end where it is only half mile wide. It is a high coral
island standing On the northern edge of the Shore reef.
Khor Hasyaif. —Southward of Mandhakh island is IChor Hasayif, receding
about 8 miles into Farasan Kabir. The entrance is between the eastern end
of Madhakh and the reef extending from Jabal Katah, on which are the two
islets, Sail Sharra Saghir and Sail Sharra Kabir. The entrance is 3 cables
wide abreast of the south-eastern point of Mandhakh, and, from thence in
wards, opens out to a width of B or 7 cables, but it is tortuous. At 2J miles
from the head, anchorage may b© found in 7 or 8 fathoms with good swinging
room.
Ahdulla Islands. —Jabal Abdulla is a small rocky island 9 miles eastward of
Mandhakh island and surrounded by a group of smaller islets; it may be
easily distinguished by a knot or remarkable bluff at its southern end.
Maraba Island. —Jabal Maraba island is about 4 miles southward of Jabal Abdulla
and near a projecting point of Farasan Kabir. It is about half a mile
long, rocky, and the highest island in the neighbourhood. It has a flat top
or hummock, is surrounded by a group of small low islands, and appears
from the northward as if forming part of Farasan Kabir.
Komari island and channel. —About midway between the south-eastern point of
Farasan Kabk and Jibal Maraba island, and close to the former is Komari
island. It lies on the western side of Komari channel through which vessels
aiay pass to and from Jaizan,