WELLINGTON HARBOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8182, 25 July 1912, Page 1

WELLINGTON HARBOUR

STEEPLE ROCK SHOAL QUESTION OF LIGHT. NOT APPROVED DY BOARD. TTio harbourmaster. Captain Johnson, has reported adversely on the suggestion of tho Merchant Service GuU<l that tho Harbour Board should erect u pile beacon on Steoplo Rock shoal as «. leading light for Port Nicholson. Hie board has adopted tho harbourmaster s report; . “It seems to me,” says Captain •Johnson, “ that it requires serious consideration before establishing another controlling light such as tho one suggested.” 'Ho gives this reason: "Wo .nave .Somes Island light cut by three segments for tho navigation of the channel, rod. white, and green. The wiiito segment controls the main deep water channel, tho red indicates danger on tho western side, and the green on tho eastern side. Tho low-lovol light situated on Pencarrow point, eastern entrance to tho harbour, is also out by segments to clear buoys and dangers both insido tho harbour and at the approach to it. If a third_ light of the same description were introduced wo should get somewhat raised in tho navigation of tho channel.” LIGHT DANGEROUS. Tho harbourmaster assumes from the guild’s statement, “it has been recognised for years past by shipmasters that tho light on Somes Island is, in very mauy cases, useless for tho purpose, lying, as it docs, so far back from the entrance," that tho suggested pile light “is supposed to take the place of Somes Island light in thick or foggy weather when tho latter light is obscured. Tho chart submitted indictes this, as tho pile light shown on it is cut by three segments, viz., red, white, and green. Tho segments are in the same order as Somes Island light, viz., red on tho west side of tho entrance, -white in tho supposed channel, and greon on tho east side. W© shall assume a strange vessel is off the entrance of the. port in thick weather and the pile light is seen, and not at all unlikely- mistaken for Somes Island light, that light, being obscured. Then tho vessel entering tho channel would find the rocks before the anchorage, and all vessels, coastal, or otherwise are liable to this same mistake- For ibis reason also tho sug- j geated light seems impracticable and dangerous in tho extreme.” A RECOMMENDATION. “I would now suggest for the consideration of the hoard .that if it is deemed necessary to introduce more lights to further ensure tho safe navigation of the channel Cl ,do not-say ft is), when tho ■ remaining shallow water on Ealcon Shoal is removed and tho lighted buoy now situated .there is not required,' ft could bo" removed to the position now occupied by the red ' buoy on tho south extreme of Hope Shoal, eastern side of the channel, and converted into a green light or a bright occulting light. Thgi would increase tho width of the channel at that point 1000 ft, and assist to guide the vessels into the deepest water. in tho channel, and permit them to pass through the green segment of Somes Island light without fear of danger. Vessels passing in or out in foggy weather could approach the buoy with safety, as there is deep water all) around tho buoy, and for some distance east of it there is 28ft at low water spring tides. The buoy lies four cables south of Falcon Shoal buoy, and commands the whole entrance and _ channel, and there are no rocks in the •vicinity. Vessels inward bound when abreast of it, being clear of the channel, , could then steer to pass Gordon Point. By purchasing a new buoy it ■could bo placed there at once. I think a blight occulting light is preferable to a green light, as its range of visibility is greater , the low-level light.

“In my opinion the low-level light is the most important in the navigation of the harbour. The position on which it is situated commands the harbour inside and the approach to it. It is the first point of contact in entering the channel, and is six cables south of the outer rock of Barret Reef. The Wigham patent light now in use has so far proved very good, but a more powerful light to penetrate thick weather would greatly increase its usefulness. X hold tho opinion that if a vessel can pick up this light she cau enter tho harbour and proceed up the channel in perfect safety to an anchorage. Although no other lights are visible some of tho ocean steamers have done this, and X have done so repeatedly both in sailing barques and steamers in thick southerly gales before any light was established on Pencarrow Point. The most important part is to find tho entrance; then ono course only is required to find a safo anchorage.” '