FLINDERS' ISLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 180, 13 June 1862, Page 5

FLINDERS' ISLAND.

'.'here seems to have been a very erroneous impression sot abroad in Tasmania respecting the west coast of Flinders' Island, which the local insurance offices have taken advantage of since the George .Marshall was stranded there in January last, about six miles north of Settlement Point. If nautical men will only look at Sprcnt's map of that island, which is on'a large scale, and every island and danger in that locality correctly laid down, they will observe that where the George Marshall was stranded there are only six points of the compass, from N.N.W. to S. W., that any sea or wind can affect a vessel lying off that wreck in from five to eight fathoms water, from one quarter or a third of a mile seaward of the wreck. With the wind coming on to blow from either of the points mentioned, there are good anchorages for them on either tack ; Hummock Island anchorage S. W. by S., distant 8 miles; Black Boy anchorage S.S.E., distant 6 miles-and the boat harbor for vossels drawing nine feet of water, N.N. W., distant; four miles. All that is requisite for vessels of small size, say up to 100 tons, is what all should necessarily b3 provided with —good ground tackle and every equipment necessary for an emergency. The barometer always gives several hours' notice if the wind in coming in from the westward as well as from the sea, and with common care, there need be no difficulty in getting to a safe harbor. If a_ vessel should be compelled to get under' weigh at night time, and it being too dark to pick up anchorage, there is an. open bay, twelve miles in length and about seven miles deep; so that they can keep under weigh until daylight. ,•,.,. ■ Several slight accidents have taken place here during the last three months, but they have all resulted from want of judgment or bad tackle. One vessel came on shore here, having parted her chain getting under weigh, and had not a second anchor to let go ; however, she was got afloat again, and she is no doubt in as good order or better than Bhe was when she came here. A second vessel received a little damage alongside the wreck, by not hauling off when requested to do so by the person in charge of the wreck. The third vessel, the Lucy, left the anchouage outside the wreck during a night that was very thick, and ran away for the-Bbat Harbor anchorage, but mistook the entrance about a quarter of a mile. Had she kept under weigh or laid at anchor until daylight^ she would not have been ashore, which she now is, at high water mark. It may also be mentioned that the Victory, a schooner of 60 tons, rode out a heavy gale of wind from the westward with both anchors down ; she would have worked out, but was too light. The holding-ground all over the nay is good, the anchors burying themselves in blue clay and sand. With one exception, not a vessel has loaded at the stranded ship that _was nt all fitted for this place. Although only six points to seaward, the Pascoes and Hummock Island are of great shelter to the Bay, and with the wind at any other points of the compass than those alluded to, the bay is quite smooth, and good anchorage in any part of it; as the greatest depth of water all over the bay is eight fathoms. A rock is lately reported to have been discovered as you reported some time since, bearing S.S.W. from Settlement Point; but th» distance or the bearings of any other point not being given, it is very doubtful if it'is not the same that is visible close to Babbit Island, say less than half a mile S.S.W. from it..