SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR RECEIFE LIGHTS AND ALGOA BAY.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 545, 5 July 1851, Page 4

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR RECEIFE LIGHTS AND ALGOA BAY.

Light Him if : — Latitude of, r>l° Of 1 0" RI ongitude, K.ist of (jieonwich 2') 40 7 E. Longitude, h.iHl of C.i|io Obscrvatoiy 0 28 4(> Heigh Is abwr mean water level: — ■ 'J lie Foundation 10 fed. The Top oi Cornice . . . HO " Tl.o Height of Light . . . 90 " The Luntorn Wall .... 4 " 6 inches. rllior Ilio Height of Lantern . : . 20 " Colour : 'Hie Light House will hliow alternate horizontal biuuls oi White anil Red, two of each. Light— Is fixed, with brilliant flaslies nt intervals of a minute. The CWim>— ls White. In clear weather tlie Light nifty be pppii fiom seaward on any point from S. by W. (that is, tho Rlup beaiing irom tho Light N. l>y E. lound In/ S., to East, or 2.5 points, ami at a distance of l'£ miles, should tho height of thoobsei ver'seye bo J'2 feet above the sea level. All the beaimgs are magnetic, and all tho distances aio exptchscd in naiiticnl miles. Magnetic Variation— l* .10° 07° W. St. C;on, — 'I'lio J.uige I bland : Latitude of WQW Q 47' 36" S. Longitude of, Kiistof Gieonwich, l lb '17 0 E, Bird hlund,—TUo Jiiistcinmost isLind : Latitude of, >5° 62' 0" N ; Longitude, East of Giucnwich, ±6 Ml SO E. Approach : — Jn approaching Algon liny from tho Southward, in clear weather, the first land that will appear will bo the mountains in the interior; tho niOHt remarkable, of theso can bo seen fiom .;() to 00 milo.s, and sketches of them aro given on tho chart of tho purvey made by tho olhcers of JI.iNl.St.-vl. Hermes. Fiom Cape, llcccife — | The beannj- of Cockscomb is N.N.W. \ W. .17 mile», and that of the mountain with n rugged top, to tho Eastward of it, N. 18°, W. 29 miles. From Cape !>l. Fiancee — (Sometimes mistaken for Cape lleceifo,)lhebearing of tho Cockscomb is N.E. \N. ,'3O miles. 'J he above bearings will be sufhcient guide in steering lor the two Cupes respectively, when they may not bo seen. Continuing to steer for Rcccife, the next land thnt will uppear will bo tho high land in its immediate vicinity, on which is a hoir/.ontal lineof 6and, looking much like (ho beach, hut which is not so; ftftcr winds Receilb itself will nppcar a little further to the Eastward, showing low but distinct as a Cupe, with one hummock near the extremo point; but the Light House will not be seen till nfler a fuither approach of about 4 miles. D angns: — No vessel should approach tho Capo 4 milos to tho Westward of Kocoifo, or llecuile itself nearer than 2 miles, and then only with a commanding breeze or in a steamer, as tho reefs extend nearly a mile and a half from the shore, and because theio is a very decided mid dangeiousindianght towards them. When the height of tho Light Houso subtends an angle of T.I minutes, the distance fiom it will be '21 miles, — therefore no greater angle should be got. Neither should any ono bo tempted, by tho absence of break, to approach nearer the East side of llcceifo Light llousr, ua it often occurs that it does not break upon ft 7 foot patch a mile from the Light JJouse, and yet it will, without previous warning, biealc in 7 fathoms and oven in JO fathoms. It is seldom prudent to got less than 13 fathoms water whilo btill outsido of Ileceife. Mai la Jor entering Algoa Daif.— When rounding lleceifo, or before a white stone boacon will be seen to tho Norlh-Kaslwaid of the Light House, which when in ono with it, or, more accurately, when its top is in one with tho centre line of the Light House, points to the B foot patch of tho Roman Rock, and is the loading mark up to if, on n course about N.N.E.} K. This patch bears from the Light House, N.N.I'-.^lv, '2\ miles. After picking up theso leading marks with the eye, it should bo enmod along the sido of tho hill, and to the Northwaid, oppofiito to wliero the Roman Rock lies, whero will be seen two wooden boatons, about 'i miles N. of the Light House, which when in ono with each other, point to the 8 foot patch of the lloman.and from which, Uiobo beacons, when in one, boar W. by N. Pasidge between the Unman and the main luud :—: — When the J^ght House has beon biougl* *o benr N. W. I W. and the fcoundings nre fiom 10 to Hi fathomf, the course, may bo altered to Noith. After running about 'I miles fiom tho lime of bunging Iteceifo I^ight J louse to bear N.W. \ W., and yot hefaie tho wooden beacons have come in one, oi when Deacon, Joint, which is a low sandy point, terminated by brown-coloured tugged rocks, is JV. N. W., the white stone beacon must bo opened, and kept open to the linstwaid of tho Light House; this will take the vessel to the Wostward of the Roman in about 7 or !i fathoms, with exception of one or two casts of 6 fathoms before coming up to the* wooden beacons. When the wooden beacons have been brought, m ono, and aie again opened on tho other sido some distance, tho anchorage off tho town may be steered for, always giving JJcacon Point a berth of a full \ of a mile. Passage U> the KaUwnid or onlsidc the liomtm:— After having bi ought the Light House to bear N.W. \ W., the course, N.K. \ K. may be steered, 6r any courso more to the Northwaid that will admit of tho stone beacon being kept open to the Westwaid of tho l^ight House; then when the wooden beacons have been brought in one, or when tho Stall' and Point of tho Diamond on Fort Frederick have been brought in ono with tho centie of tho remarkable lull behind it (a sketch o( which is given in tho Chart), or, if these should not be teen, when Jieacon I'oint beais W.N.W., tho anohoingo off tho Town may be steered for. Anchorage: — The Captain of the Poit will indicate whore merchant vessels ate to anchor ; but a sandy bottom and good holding ground will bo found anywhere in 7 fathoms. Jn taking up a berlh, however, room should bo left to admit of veering to 100 and even 1.'5() fathoms, as less than this (juautity should, as n rule, in this bay, never be tried ; — and, indeed, it is seldom judicious to use less than this quantity anywhere, unless the harbour is land-locked, and the water much less than 7 fathoms in depth. Thoro is a little foul ground in the S.W. part of the buy. Roman Hock: — There is a Red Huoy moored in 9 fathoms N.E. by compnsß from tho 0 foot patch of tho Jlomiin, outeido of which vessels going to the Eastward of the rock should go. Going to tho Westward of the rock, they should not appioach the buoy on its West or S.W. sides nearer than one cable's length; — the Roman not being, as has been supposed, a single rock, but seveial, lising above a bed of rocks full .')()() foot long. At nigh :—: — Directions for entering Algna Bui). — In coming fiom tho Westward no vessel should make the Light on a bearing to the Southwaid of Eabt ; and should she from any causo have fallen to tho Northward, and have thus brought tho Light to tho Southward, she must, without fail, before aho arrives wiihin five miles of the Light, haul out till the Light bears East, or if in doubt about the amount of deviation of her compasses, lo E.,i N., after which she may steer X.5.15. till tho Light bears N.by W., then E.N.E. till it bears N.W., after which sho may alter courso lo N.N.E. Scandings : — Until tho Light is brought on the lattei bearing, Tiz., N.W., she should not get less than 12 fathoms water, and sho bhould go sufficiently slow to oblnin Boundings. Danger v. — Tho Current sets in strong towards the Reef, so ;

should slio find herself, fiom the alined bemni^, (hopping in towards them, she must linul to the. Southward. While steering N.N.K. going to the Fi^tu-nid of the Iloman Rock, the Light must not, on any account, be biou^ht to tlio Southward of H.W.JS. or S.W., or less water than 10 fathoms to he gone into, till she have run .Smiles nl least after having brought tlio Light to boar N.W., but when 3 miles shall havubopn ffo run, a N.W. course may be htporcil to the anchorage. Precaution • — But should the vos?ol have got i"to lew wi.tor I lhan in fnihom*, they must haul tr> »lio Kustward immediately. It is better to adhere to tho above, diiections, ovon though lights should be seen, ap-y-uculhl, amongst tho shipping or in tho town, as the'.p might orcur in a part of tint ltay North of the town, find so deceivo. The town and vessels will appear fiom under tho shadow of the lnnd, as the anohongo is approached, even though n( \ litfht ohould be seen. Dining moonlight nights H will sometimes occur that the Beacon Point cannot ho mado oul. (ho only thing distinctly visibU 1 being n long linoof white sand,— tho Northern ext r(l| "ity of tins mny be steered for, on any course to the westward of iV.W. J W. Danger o) Roman ■ — I would strongly rccommond tbnt no vessel should attempt to go to the Westward of the Roman Rock at night, us tho soundings mo irrepiilnr, ,md the winds, on that side of it, are bnfllmg; the currents also set in towards tho maiiilaml. Rfdwm<r .—. — The Redwing Rock has been most carefully sought after, without success in finding it; coupling which with tho fact that thero is no break in tlio place it is represented to be, leaves no doubt in my mind but that whatever was taken for ft roclc has disappeared. St. Cioir hlnnils: — In Algoa Hay, and at about 10 miles N.E. by K. from the anchorage ofF Port Elizabeth, are the Kf. Cioik Inlands, under which thero is good arx horago for nil winds ; indeed it is a question whether tlie town should not have boon in pro ference near them, and tho anchorage in that pait of tho colony Imvo beon under them, — the open country and tho Zwarlkops River would have n Horded no mean advantages, not possessed by Tort Elizabeth. Bird 7a/«?k/s: — Tho Mini Tslands, situated in tho Eastern f>xtromity of AJgoa I3ay, lie off Woody Cape, which is, as it a name imports, covered with wood, except n small patch of snnd at its summit, and is the only seaboard land that is so, — which gives it, in contrast with that for miles on cither side, a daik npponranco ; tho land on its WoHt side, from near St. Croix up, rises into email numerous sandy hillocks, quite bare, of vegetation, and that to the Eastward, up to Padrono Point, is similarly bare. Wood]/ Cape — Ts high, nigged, and not prominont, scarcely determinate as a Capo, except when very near it ; not so Pmh one Point, which runs out into a low point of sand, forming a determinablo Cape, without vegetation, from which breakers run out some distance, and the water breaks still further out at times, owing to the meeting of currents thero and after strong winds. Auchauinp (i//, and dangers near, Bird hlaruh: Tho innermost danger from thoao Islands is fully .') miles fiom Woody Cape, and they n fiord tolerable, shelter behind them in winds from W. to S.S.K. in l.'l fathoms, at rather better than J a milo from tho Northernmost breakers; closer would a fiord more shelter, but the ground is foul. '] hey aio veiy low, and proportionally dangerous, and though the mnin land will generally be Been before them, and the distance from them may be estimated by it, yet this is not ontirely to bo reliod on ; so, in shaping a course to go out**ido of them, allowance should be made for the fuot that the eddy or leturu cm rent sots in towards them, and then to the Kastuaid. Daddiuglon : — • Tho Doddington and Western reef should ho considered os part of the Bird Island reef, and no vessel should go between thorn j the water does not nlwiiy* lwoalt <»" thorn, but in bad weather the break pis extend the whole way fiom them to the islands; tho Doddington lies about 11 miles from Woody Capo. In clear weather the rugged-topped mountain and tho Cockscomb may bo been trom these islands, or rather from abreast of them, for the latter would bo shut in when on them ; but in passing outside tho Doddington it should bo kept open to the west of tho ruggcd«toppod mountain, beating about N. W., nnd tho ship should steer N.W. by W. \ W.; having passed tho Doddington, the high land at tho back of Port Elizabeth will soon appear right a-ho>id. Ei 1 oncons tilulcmenk: — Thoro arc many statements current about broakers being seen from time to time in difiorent parts of Al"Oii I3ay ; but I behove others chau those laid down in tho chnrt, now transmitted, not to have any existence, and that that which has beon mistaken for such has been tho effect of mirage. Appearances* of litealcers :—: — 1 have seen an appearance of breakers extending tho greater pait of the bay, but examination and patient attention showed it to bo unreal — at least the efTocl of light and moisture. It may be theoilect of the sudden changes of temperature which obtain alter an Masterly wind. As air is supplied with or robbed of us beat by tho sea- water, its capacity for moisture is increased or diminished, and thu to a greater degree tho more near to the surface of the sea. Consequently, the strata of air aro of unequal densities, and possess, thorefore, unequal rclractivo powers, which may produce the appearance by turns of broken water or sea-green, and inegularly, bo as the particles nro spt in motion, intermingling by tho passage of tho sea-wavo, (whos» binlaco at tho samo time being binoolh,) they would reflect tho rays of light to diffoient points as it passed along, and givo it the appearance ol a rolling over ot the wave-crest, or of a i oiler breaking. Anchoi uge dm ing N. W. galei, : There m,iy bo a liitlu sea at times, the effect of races and overfalls, whore there are, as here, currents and irregular soundings, but nothing detrimental to navigation; while on the contiary, the palpablo change from a considerable cross sea in N.W. gales to smooth water, which immediately follows, on passing into this bay, is quito remarkable, and renders it a good relugo in such gales, in any part, utmost, of the buy, from Itcccilb to Jiird Islands. E. GAUDINriI FISIIBOUIINP.

The following easy method of determining tbe dis- ! tanco may be of value :—: — Suppose ii ship to bo steering any course, — observe the bem ing of an object whoso distance it is desiied to ascertain; noto the difference in points between this beating uud (lie ship's coutse, and call it (A) ; run a ceitiua distance; obsorve again the bearing of tbe object, note the difference- between this bearing and tlio ship's co.irse, und subtract it fiom 16 points, cull it (15). Then Log. oi required distance (in miles) = log ran -It log. sin (A.) — log. sin (A-tß.)i Example. Supposotho ship to bo running on an E.S.TC. course, — Ist bearing of object to bo N.I), 2nd „ „ „ N. And ran in the interval 3 miles. Thcreforo difference between N.K nnd K.S.K ib f> points, or A, nnd difference between N. nnd Ii.S.K. in 10 poinis, wlnci), subtracted from i6 points, leaves 6 points, or U. .*. log. required dist. == log. 3 -f* log« nC> points — log. sin 1 1 points, or — log. sin 4 points, for whenever an angle is more than 0 points or 90°, it must bo tnken from Hi points or 180°. Log. 3 0M77121 Log. sin 0 points . . O'MbGM l(M<l273ti Log. sin 12 points .. O-OdSMOS 0.')932r)l = 399 milos or nearly four miles at tlio timo of taking last bearing.