NOTICE TO MARINERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1194, 9 February 1864, Page 4

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

General Post Office, Auckland, 26th Dec., 1363. The following sailing directions for Manukau Harbour, by Captain Sidney, R.N., are published for general information. T. B. Gillies, Postmaster-General. Manukau Harbour. In consequence of the changes that have taken place in the approaches to the Manukau—as so deplorably manifested by the loss of 11.M.5. Orpheus —the Admiralty determined to have a new survey made, and directed Captain Sidney, R.N., to suspend for a time the survey of the coast of New South Wales, upon which he was engaged, and proceed to New Zealand, to re-survey and draw up fresh sailing directions for the navigation of the channels leading to the Manukau. Ihe following remarks and directions result from the re-examination of that locality:— The entrance to the Main Channel appears to have sliif tea both to the Northward, as well as to seaward, the Bar being now half a mile more to the Westward than at the time of Captain Drury's survey in 1853. The Channel is also wider, the 8-feet bank that separated what was called the North Channel from the Main having now disappeared, if it ever existed. A ship, by attention to the lead, may now work either in or out. The leading mark used at present is the Nine-pin Rock, in line with the tangent of the inner point of the South Head, as shewn in the sketch; but, as there is the same depth—viz., 3£ fathoms—a little to the Northward, and the banks having a tendency to extend themselves yet more in that direction it would be bettor to bring the Nine-pin Hock in line either with the objects marked B or C on the sketch and plan for crossing the Bar. After crossing the Bar, a glance at the plan will bo sufficient to keep the channel. The South Channel seems hitherto to have been very imperfectly known, and its mei'its underrated; but now that Buoys have been placed, its approach and navigation is rendered easy, and, the depth of water being the same as that on the Bar of the Main Channel, and accessible at times when the latter is dangerous, it is much to be preferred. To make the South Channel from seaward, keep the Signal-staff of Paratutai in line with the White Pile recently crected on the inner slope of the peak called Pukehurihu on the chart (properly Pukehoho) N. \W. This mark leads midway between the Shoals off tho South Head and the Heron Spit; and when the gap inside Poropora (now almost an islet) and the two trees, to the right of the wooded range, come in line (as shewn in sketch) steer for it up to the outer Fair-way Buoy, tho crossing mark for which is the Nine-pin Rock and Parera Island in line. The outer Fair-way Buoy is red, with black, vertical stripes, having a bell within a circular cage on top.

Leave this buoy, or the spot indicated by tho marks, on the left hand half a cable, steering 1£ pomts more to the eastward for nearly four cables' length, when the inner Fairway Buoy will bo reached. This buoy is similar to the outer one in every respect.

Leaving this also on the left hand half a cable's length, two buoys will be seen in advance to the northwarf—a black one on the left, indicating the position of the Tranmere Shoal (to the westward), and a red one on the right, 1 3 cables apart. Pass midway between them, steering parallel with the shore, passing the Spit Buoy (red) on the

right, and the buoy at the tail of tlie_ Emma Bank (half black and white top) on tho lol't, into tho deep water channel. It is recommended that Pukehoho be choson as tho site for the contemplated Telegraph Station, the signals to be made by two pairs of semaphoro arms, one pair above the other, one-halt' of tho arms along then- length being painted black, and tho other white, whicli would insure tlioir being seen uuder all circumstances of light and shade—against tho sky, or with the land behind, the arms working at right angles to a line midway between the main and south channels. Mr. Wing's known ingenuity and mechanical skill would readily devise the means of working the arms by a winch from a covercd-in look-out house around tho staff. The stump of tho mast or a Beacon should bo on Paratutai, for the South Channel entrance mark. The following remarks are by Mr. Wing, Pilot and Harbour Master, made during an experience of over a quarter of a century :— "High water at the entrance of the Manukau at full and change of moon, at 9-30. The range at springs, 13 feet; neaps, 8 feet. « The flood comes from the Northward, setting along shore from one to two knots; but, when in contact with tho banks about the Bar, it trends into the Channels, increasing its rate to four or five knots as it approaches the Heads. Care should be taken to guard against the cross tides about the spits and swatchways. " The prevailing winds are from N.W. to S.W., and it seldom blows a gale from the Southward, the wind moderating as it draws from S.W. to Southward. Easterly gales are not frequent, and generally shift suddenly to the Westward, in a violent squall and very heavy rain. " The gales rarely continue long in one quarter, and a strong breeze from N.W., or even W.S.W. (as a rule), does not cause a heavy sea in the South Channel, which can be taken with safety towards high water. " The Bar, with such winds, generally speaking, breaks, and sometimes dangerously, towards low water; but in case the gale gets to the S.W., the sea will break right across both channels, but less across the South Channel, which is never at any time so dangerous as the main. This, however, is of short duration, and seldom lasts over a day and a night, when by the morning it becomes moderate, and the South Channel free of break (even though there be considerable swell outside, and the banks breaking heavily), and safe to enter at proper time of tide, say at half-flood, or even at first quarter ebb, with a commanding breeze or steam. " Barometer: —A low range donotes a change, and in a northerly quarter, to be shortly attended by rain; and in case the Barometer begins to rise, expect wind. "When the Barometer is ranging about 30 inches, steady weather may be expected from seaward. " A high barometer, say above 31 inches, and the land looming clear and distinct, is (as a rule) a sign of a change to the eastward. " I have also to remark that for many years I have observed that very clear and cloudless nights are indications of a change being at hand, either wind or rain." Fbedeeic W. Sidney, Commander and Surveyor. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Dec. 29th, 1863. The following notice respecting lights, beacons,_ and buoys in Victona, is republished for general information. Wm. Fox. lights, beacons, and buoys in victoeia. The following Notice to Mariners, relative to certain lights, beacons, and buoys in Victoria, is published for general information. The present notice will affect to a certain extent the notices to mariners which were inserted in the Government' Gazette' of the 15th January, 1861, and of the 3rd February, 1863, pages 76 and 287. Jas. G. Feancis, Commissioner of Trade and Customs., Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne, Nov. 25, 1863. Notice to Maeinebs. The various changes and alterations herein mentioned will come into operation on or about the first day of January, 1864. CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE. Notice is hereby given that with the view of enabling navigators to see the Cape Schanck Lighthouse better during thick or hazy weather, the tower will, on or about the above date be painted white instead of red. POINT LONSDALE LIGHTHOUSE AND BED BEACON. Notice is also given that the light and look-out house on Point Lonsdale will, on or about the above date, be painted red and black in alternate horizontal bands, each ten (10) feet deep, commencing at the top with red. The above-mentioned lighthouse having been built close to and on the same line of bearing as the Point Lonsdale red ball beacon, hitherto used as a thwart mark for clearing the Lonsdale and Lightning rocks, the beacon will on and after the afore-mentioned date, be removed, and the lighthouse used for the mark instead. pope's eye shoal buoy. On or about the afore-mentioned date, the Pope's Eye Buoy will be removed altogether, and the North Buoy shifted from its present position, about two cables' length in a S.W. by S. direction. SOUTH CHANNEL BUOYS. The western Black Perch Buoy, No. 1 in the South Channel, will be shifted in a westerly direction from its present position to the tail of the south-west spit at the southern entrance to Symond's Channel, and replaced by a third-class buoy. PEINCE GEOEGE BANK BUOY. The Red Cone Buoy on Prince George's Bank, moored about N. by W.. from the West Channel Lightship, will be painted black instead of red, its present color. POINT COOK BUOY. A black cone-shaped buoy has been placed off Point Cook, in five fathoms, with the following bearings:— Station Peak S. 78° W. West shoulder of Mount Macedon, N. 28° W. Old lighthouse, Gellibrand's Point, N. 43° E. DHOMANA MOOBING BUOY. A mooring buoy, painted red, has been laid down in three (3) fathoms, one cable's length from the outer .end of Dromana Jetty. Chaeles Feeguson, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Williamstown, 12th November, 1863.