THE STATE OF THE BAR.

Evening Star, Issue 5036, 25 April 1879, Page 3

THE STATE OF THE BAR.

The following is Captain Thomson’s monthly report to the Harbor Board to-day The recent southerly gales have wrought no change on the bar, as I find since the weather moderated, on taking soundirtgs repeatedly across and around the bar, the depth of w -tor is the same as before the gales. The depth on the 21st inst at hicrh water waa 21ft in the south channel and 25ft in the north channel, and the rise of the tide only indicated 4ft fliu. On the 22nd inst the depth at low water was IGft in the former, and 19ft 6in in the latter channel, and the height of tho wave at that state of the tide was 3ft in tho north, while there was scarcely any wave at all in the south channel. Judging that there would be very little wave at high water, I buoyed off tho north channel, and then proceeded with ’Mr Pilot Kelly on board of the ship Oregon, that' had arrived the day previous and was lying at anchor in the outer roadstead waiting for the services of the tug. She was drawing'22ft and 21ft forward. At tide time the vessel was got under weigh,-with the Koputai fastened on to her, and headed for the north channel, through which she passed without touching, and afterwards safely anchored at the powder ground. ’ I’maJ hero mention that this is the heaviest-draught vessel that has entered the port of Dunedin, and although she'passed safely through the north channel the Board, finding that ships aro new getting larger ana of a heavier draught than ever visited the port, should Ip ii-.y opinion push forward without delay tho deepening of the south channel, as tho dangers attending the I; navigation in the' north channel are not Visionary, as some persons suppose. All engineers agree, and sailors too, that the entrance to a harbor: should run with the wave, so that tho wave may run the vessel into safety. Such is the position of the Bonth channel at the entrance to this harbor, nnd in taking it the pilot has to judge the height of the wave only. With the north channel the contrary is the case. The wave runs across it, and will strike’tho vessel dead oh. the broadside, heaving her Into such danger that she may not recover her position in tho channel before-the second sea has hold of her. Here, then, tho qualifications of a pilot liavo to be exercised In the direction of judging not only what the height of the wave is, but the force and velocity of It on the vessel under his charge. - In conclusion, I may bo permitted to say that the freedom this harbor has enjoyed from wrecks and casualties to the shipping that has visited it from the early days of the settlement commends tho pilots as men well skilled in their business And for the further information of tho Board, I beg most respectfully to forward herewith the last annual wreck chart for New Zealand, just furnished by tho Marine Department, Wellington, whereon tho Board will bo pleased to notice the c mplete absence of any casualty whatever at or near tho port of Dunedin.