DESCRIPTION OF THE HARBOURS, &c., OF NEW ZEALAND. (concluded.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 11, 1 July 1843, Page 4

DESCRIPTION OF THE HARBOURS, &c., OF NEW ZEALAND. (concluded.)

In sailing northward from Port Manukau, in latitude. 36 °" 30* south, long, 174° 10' east, is Kaipara, the most extensive harbour in all New Zealand. Ships bound to Kaipara will bear in mind, that no proper survey is as yet, extant of the harbour. It may be known in clear weather, by three remarkable black patches on the north head, and to form an outline of the place, draw the line of coast nearly north and south, place on this line two marks, denoting the north and south head about four miles apart ; about one mile from the north, extend a line across the harbour's mouth in a southerly direction, leaving the south head inshore of it about one and a half mile ; say, the line shall be two miles in width, and place two. fathoms water on it ; call it the inner bar, with three and four fathoms inshore of it ; which will form the south, or inshore channel. About four miles northward of the north head, and eight or ten miles off the land, run another line nearly parallel with the former, which is also nearly parallel with the line of coast. Call this outer line the outer bar, let it extend about six miles southward of the south head, it will be about thirteen or fourteen miles in length by two wide, place three fathoms on it, leaving the passage between it and the inner bar, with nine and ten fathoms water, call it the middle channel between the northern extremity of the outer bar, and the shore northward of the north head will form the

north channel, with three and four fathoms in it. For entering Kaipara ships must place themselves to the southward of the entrance, observing a black patch on the south head, (which is a body of sand) to bear north-east by compass six,- or eight miles, at this time the middle of three black patches on the north head, should bear north by east. In this position they will bo at the entrance of the middle channel, and with a leading wind, may steer north half east, 1 with the lead going, and a good look-out from the mast-head. In the middle channels ships will generally carry ten fathoms, but j the course of north half east, does not carry j them all tho way ; the lead will be the best I guide, remembering that they may find the sea breaking sometimes in ten fathoms fair mid-channel, with the ebb strong out, but in moderate weather, when sailing up the middle channel, and there will be a line of breakers on the outer bar, the same on tho inner bar, and perfectly smooth in the channel, and when about two or three miles from the north head, the passage will be seen running directly in for the harbour's mouth ; and the course will be north-east, passing tho north head at about three quarters of a mile. With the lead still going, keep the I north shore aboard until a reddish pyramidshaped point is in sight, which may be apj proached to about a cable's lenght, and hauling round it to the north-west, anchor in eight fathoms at a convenient distance from the shore ; and at low water, ascend the high land, and look round for the several sands dry at that time. The tides are strong both in and out of Kaipara, the ebb about six knots when there is much fresh water in the river, but with a leading wind, ships may ! generally make way against it, and with the ; wind off the land, which produces smooth water, there is sufficient rooni to work in a ship of the line. High water, full and change 9 hours 50 ! minutes, rise twelve or fourteen feet. I Vessels that may be induced or forced to ! take the southern channel, will remember I that the passage lies close inshore, its en- ; trance being about four or five miles southward of the south head, and runs along the coast ; when at its entrance the ships will be nearly abreast of a clump of trees, forming the black patch of the south head. The harbour's mouth will appear entirely shut j in, the lead must be constantly going, and about mid-way between the surf on the beach, and the surf on the inner bar, will be the deepest water. To use this channel or the ebb, the wind must be southward of west ; cax-e must be taken in rounding the south head, as it terminates in a low sandy point ; it will therefore be better to steer over for the north shore, and proceed as directed for the middle channel. The north channel lies close in with the north head, commencing about four miles northward of it with proper use of the lead, keep near mid-channel, and haul round the north head with care. Ships should not use this channel from seaward, unless from necessity, nor approach the north head in sailing along the coast within eight or ten miles. These directions for Kaipara are minutely detailed, because two or three accidents have already happened; but had the ships which have suffered in this port, been in the hands of persons acquainted with the place, the misfortunes would have been avoided. In heavy westerly, or north-west gales, all the harbours on the west coast should, if possible, be avoided. In south-west winds Kafia receives some shelter from Albatross Point, but south-west, westerly to north, all the harbours are exposed. Proceeding northward from Hokianga, (of which harbour there are accurate printed directions already published,) vessels should be aware of a shoal that lies south-west by west from Cape Maria Van Dieman, distant about nine or ten miles. Ships bound to the north-east coast of the North Island, coming from the westward, will in all probability sight the Three Kings, they are a bold land-fall, and may be readily discerned from a ship's deck in clear weather six or seven leagues. The passage between the Kings and Cape Marie Van Dieman is clear. The northern extremity of the island is also bold and visible ten leagues. It is intended that ships keep an offing of four or five miles. About three or four miles close round the eastern side of the North Cape there is a small bay, offering shelter from the strong western gales, but is rather exposed from the south-eastward. " I "Refuge for small vessels will also be found j under Mount Carnet, leaving the little island f which lies off it on the starboard hand, and steering in for the Mount upon the starboard 1 bow. Another small harbour southward of the Mount, called Monganui, though of contracted entrance, contains deep water, i and is capable of receiving ships of four or five hundred tons. Proceeding to the southeastward, Wangaroa east, will be readily discerned, of which a very good survey has j been made. '■

The harbour's mouth, though rather hidden from sea-view, will be known by an island about three miles off it ; which shelters the port in eastern weather ; the shores are bold on either side, and every thing likely !to hurt a vessel may be seen with a good look out frdm aloft. Firewood, fresh water, J and refreshments, may be had in the greatest abundance, both at Monganui and Wangaroa, the latter harbour is capable of containing a large fleet of ships of the first class, and is well sheltered from all winds. About eight leagues south-west from Wangaroa, is the Bay of Islands ; the best chart of the Bay which we have seen hitherto extant, is from the French surveys of La Coquette, M. Dupperey, and IS Astrolabe, M. La Place, commandant. In their chart, every thing worthy of notice is minutely delineated, as indeed, in all the French surveys of this coast. But if any improvement could be added to their charts, as to many others, it would be tho rate and sets of tide. The only danger for a stranger in approaching the Bay, is the Whale Rock, over which there is generally a continual wash and noise. It lies about a" mile west and by north from the small island of Akahou, it may be avoided with a beating wind, by keeping the island of Moutouroa open of point Otou Rodi, or by keeping any thing near mid-channel with a fair wind, every thing else may be avoided with the lead and look-out. Port Te Pouna on the starboard j shoro of the Bay is very easy of access for strangers, as it is only necessary to keep a fair working distance from the shore on either side, and a good harbour with the wind off shore may be had, should the wind blow too strong for working further up the j Bay ; and on the larboard hand, Man of War Bay is secure shelter from all winds, and is equally accessible foi ships of all sizes. The tides out of the Bay are by no means considerable, unless after heavy rains, high water, full and chango 7 hours 10 minutes. ' Sailing south-eastward from the Bay of 1 Islands, are three small harbours, Wanga1 ruru, Wanga-mumu, and Tutukaka, the two former being unsurveyed, can only be useful to coasters ; but Tutukaka having been very minutely surveyed by 11. M.5. S. Buffalo, is ! available for vessels of almost any burthen, having seven fathoms in its entrance, which is however very contracted, even to about two cable's length. In strong southerly winds it would be serviceable to ships bound up the Gulf of Houraki, as they would carry smooth water to its entrance. From the narrowness of the harbour's mouth, it will i not be readily discerned ; but with southerly or westerly gales, the coast may be ap- ! proached with safety, and smooth water, and very little current being experienced, the ship will have time and room to shorten sail, and be prepared to drop anchor when about two cable's length within the heads, keeping about mid-channel going inwards, and leaving a large rock on the larboard hand. H.M.S.S. Buffalo loaded spars in this harbour, which will warrant that it affords shelter for a ship of her burthen. Abundance of wood and water is to be had convenient to the anchorage, refreshments are however scarce, as it is only occasionally visited by a few natives. Immediately after rounding Capo Tewara, at the entrance to tho Gulf of Houraki, is the beautiful bay of Wangari, with a river of the same name. The bay is clear in all directions, but ships using it as a stoppingplace, will do well to take the bearings of the harbour's mouth, in case they should be forced to run in. TIIO ebb tide sweeps out of the river at two or three knots, and, although the harbour is not very spacious, there iis room for working or coming to. Proceeding up the gulf, the course may be shaped for Shoutoure, a remarkably bold island, passing along its western side, and avoid the fiat rock above water, laid down off Point Rodney shore. Steer up for the island of Tiri Tiri Matanga, pass along its western side ; the channel is safe and wide, and work clear of a rock visible at low water, about east three miles from the centre of Tiri Tiri Matanga. It may not be improper here to remark, that an eight or ten ton buoy on this spot, would be of essential service to ships in detecting its presence, as it is not readily discovered, except towards low water ; when it appears at the Abater's edge. This suggestion may however seem impracticable to persons who, although seamen in their calling, are not practical sailors. To the managers, and directors of Lloyds, and other Insurance Companies, it must appear astonishing, as also to ship-masters in general that, when the helm of a new colony is attempted to be held by a sailor, he should neglect the needful and proper method of pointing out an hidden danger. To assure the unexperienced that such a thing is practicable, we would refer them to the buoy of the Runnel Stone, off the coast of Cornwall in the British Channel, and similar situations where buoys ride without the least shelter from the sea.