NOTICE TO MARINERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 44, 4 January 1864, Page 2

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

The following Railing Directions for tho Manukau , Harbour, by Caplain Sidney, R.N., oro published in tlio General Government Gazotto for general information :— Manukau Hariiouh. Iu oonocquonco of tho changes that havo taken plftce in tho approaches to tho Manuknu'—as bo deplorably niaifostod by tho loss of H.M.S. Orpbous—tho Admiralty determined to have a now survey rnado, and directed Captain Sidney, R.N., to suspend for a timo tho Rurvey of tho coast of Now South Wales, upon which ho was engaged, and proccod to New Zoalund, to re-survey nnd draw up frosh sailing directions for tho navigation of the channols lending to tho Mimukau. The following remarks and directions result from tho re-examination of that locality: , !£'" ontoiance to tho Main Channel appears to have shifted both to the Northward, as woll as to seaward, the Bar being now half a mile more to tho Woetward than at tho tune of Oaptato Drury'a survey in 1663. Tho Channel !a also widor, tho β-feet lank that separated what was called tho North Channel frota the Main having now disappeared, if it cvor oxistei. A ship, by attention to the lead may now work either in or out. Tho leading mark used at present is tho Nino-pin itock, in lino with tho tangent of tho inner point if tho aoutii Head, as shown in tho sketch; but, an there is tho earoo dopth—viz., 3J fathoms— a little to tho Northward , and the banks having a tendency to extend thoinsolvee yet moro in that direction, it would be botter to bring tho Nino-pin Kock in lino cither with tho object* marked B or C on tlio sketck and plan for crosNiiig tho Bar. After crossing tho Bar, a glanco at the plan will be Bullicicnt to keep tlio channel. The .South Channel seems hitherto to havo boon very imperfectly known, and its merits underrated but, now that buoys havo bocn placed, its approach and navigation is rendered easy, and, tho dopth of water being the name oh that on the Bar of the Mun Channel, and accessible at timos when tho latter is dangerous, it is much to bo preferred. To make the .South Channel from Seaward, keen the bipnid-staff of Paratutai in lino with tho WWto \, \ erccted on tho inner slope of Uie peak called l'ukehunhu on the chart (properly Pukchoho) «i" K «■ v, Rrk lcades »"dwuy between the hhoiils onoi tho South Head arid tlio Heron Spit; and when tho gup inside Poroporo now almost an and tho two troos, to tho right of tho wooded mnge, e<llllo 111 lino (as shewn in sketch) steer for it tin to tlio outer/air-ivny Suhj, the crossing mark for which is the Nine-pin Rock and Parcra Island in lino. J JlO outer Mr-way Buoy is red, with black, vertical stnpcs, having a bell within a circular cage on top. Lea vo this Buoy, or tho spot indicated by the marks, on tho left hand half a cable, stooring l£ points mow w> tho Jiastward for noarly four cables' leugtli, whon the tuner Fairway Buoy will be reached. This Buoy is similar to tho miter one in every lwjicct. Leaving this also on tho left hand half a cable's length, two Buoys.will bo seen in advoncb to the r<orlhwavd—a black one on tho loft, indicating tho position of the'Tranmer.3 Shoal (to tho Westward),' and a red one on tho right,' 1 J Cables apUrt. Pass midway between them, steering parallel with tho shore, passing the Spit Buoy (rod) on tho right, and tho Buoy at the toil of tho Emma Bank (half block and white top) on tho loft,- into flio deep water Channel.

It is recommended that Pukehohp bochosou as tho fiito for tho contemplated Telegraphic Station, tho ) Signals to be made by two pairs of Semaphore arms, one pair above the othor, one-half of tho arms nlotig ■ ( , th,eir length being painted black, and the other white, v"* which would insure their being seen under all circumstances of light and shade—against tho sky, or with tho land behind, tho arms working at right angles to a lino midway between tho main and South Channels. Sir. Wing's known ingenuity and mechanical skill -would readily devise tho means of working the arms by a winch frcai a covered-in look-out house around tho Staff. Tho stump of tho must or a Beacon should bo on Paratutai, for tho South Channel entrance mark. Tho following remarks are by Mr. Wing, Pilot and Harbour-Master, made during an experience of over a quarter of a century :— " High water nt the entranco of tho Manukau nt full and change of moon, at 9-30. Tho rango at springs, 13 feet; neaps, 8 foot. " The tlood comes from the Xorthward, settingalong ehoro from ono to two knots ; but, when coming in contact -with the banks about the Bar, it trends into the Channth, increasing its rate to four or fivo knots as it approaches the Heuds. " Cure should bo taken to guard against tho cross tides about tho spits and swatchways. " The prevailing winds are from N.W. to S.W., and it seldom blows a gale from tho Southward, tho wind moderating us it draws from S.W. to Southwanl. Easterly gules are not frequent, and generally shilt (suddenly to the Westward, in a violont squail and very heavy rain. " The gales rarely continue long in ono quarter, and a strong breeze- from N.W., or even W.S.W. (us a rule), doos not cause a heavy sea in the South Channel, which cau bo taken "with safety towards high water. " The Bar, with such winds, generally speaking, breaks, and sometimes dangerously, towards low water; but, in cost; the galo gets to the S.W., the sea will break right across both Channels, but less across the South Channel, which is nevor at any time so dangerous as the Main. This, however, 'S of short deration, 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 thero be considerable swell outside, and tho Banks breaking heavily), and safe to enter at proper timo of tide, say at half flood, or even at first quarter ebb, with a commanding breeze or steam. " Barometer:—A low rango denotes a change, and in a Northerly quarter, to bo shortly attended by rain; and, in case tho Barometer begins to rise, expect wind. " When tho Barometer is ranging about 30 inches, steady weather may be expected from seaward. "A high Barometer, say above 31 inches, and tho land looming clear and distinct, is (as a rule) a sign of a chango to tho 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, cither wind or rain."

Frederick W. Sidney, Commander and Surveyor. The following Notice respecting Lights, Beacons, and Buoys in Victoria, is republisheil in tho General Government Gazette, for general information. LIGHTS, BEACONS, AND BUOYS IN VICTORIA. The following Notico to Mariners, relative to certain Lights, Beacons, and Buoys in Victoria, is published for general information. Tho present notice will affect to a certain extent the notices to mariners which were inserted in tho Government Oazettu of the loth January, lSOlj and of the 3rd February, 1563, pages 76 and 237. Jas. G. Francis, Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne, 23th Nov., 1563. The various changes and alterations herein mentioned will come into operation on or about the tirst day of January, 18(54: — Cape Schanck Lioiithousb.—Notice is hereby given that with the view of enabling navigators to see the Cipe Schanck Lighthouse better during thick or heavy weather, the tower will, on or about tho above date, be painted tehite instead of red. l'orsT Lossdale Lighthouse and Ued Beacon.— Kotice is also given that tho light and look-out house on I'oirit Lonsdaln will, on or about th« above date, bo painted red and black in alternate horizontal bands, each ten (10) fret deep, commencing at the top with | red. Tho above-mentioned lighthouse haying been j built closo to and on tho same line of bearing aa the Point LonsdiUo re'l ball beacon, hitherto itted as a thwitrt mark for clearing tho Lonsdnle and Lightning Hocks, the beacon will, on and after the aforementioned date, be removed, and the lighthouse used for the mark instead. Pope's Eye Shoal Buoy.—On or about the aforementioned date, tho 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 Buots. —The western Blach Perch Buoy, No. 1 in the South Channel, will be shifted in a westerly direction from its present position to the tail of tho south-west spit at tho southern entrance to Symond'a Channel, and replaced by a third-class buoy. Pblnce George Bank Buoy.—Tho Red Cone Buoy on Princo George's Bank, moored about N. by W. from tho West Channel Lightship, will bo painted black instead of red, its present color. Point Cook Buoy.—A Black Cone-shaped Buoy hai been placed off Point Cook, in five fathoms, with tho following bearings :—Station Peak S. 7S ° W. West shoulder of Mount Macedon, N. 28 °W. Old Lighthouse, Gellibrand's Point N. -13 ° E. Dromana Moohi>-g Buoy.—A Mooring Buoy, painted red, ha 3 been laid down in threo (3) fathoms one cablo's length from the outer ond of Dromana Jetty. CIUBLES FEROU3ON, Chief Harbour Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, WilUamstown, 12th Nov., 1863.