SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR FOVEAUX'S STRAITS.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 112, 7 November 1846, Page 2

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR FOVEAUX'S STRAITS.

BY H. A. ANGLIN, Lately convnanding the " Royal Mail." Vessels coming from the westward should, if passible, make Sollender's Island, which is high and bold, and may be seen between squalls 30 or 40 miles ; then steer so as to pass within four or five miles of Ragged Point, which is high and looks ragged ; the rocks off the next point, which are 12 feet out of water, are bold, and may be passed pretty close. Saddle Point is long, sloping to tbe water, with a small rise on the outer end. If bound straight through, steer so as to pass between tbe North Island and Robucka, or else follow the land round and pass at either side of Long Island j there is nothing to be feared, except tbe rock maiked " sunken rock " off Point Akers ; after leaving Ragged Point the water is generally smooth. The passages to be avoided are those between Ceutre Island and the main, Bnd between Dog Island and the main, which, although broad enough, are subject to cross tides, which is also the case between the islands off tbe Holo-mamuk ; but between them and the land there is a very good passage. In coming from the eastward in clear weather,. vessels will frequently see Stewart's Island before seeing any other land, and afterwards the Bluff, i.e. Mount Stirling, while looking out for Robucka, which is not seen till last, owing to being low ; it then makes like two flat islands, which are the North Head and Green Island, Stewart's Island is frequently seen from Wai-kawa in easterly weather. In coming up from the South Cape after leaving the Traps, which in bad weather appear Ike breakers and in fine weather two low flit rocks covered with kelp, there is nothing but the reefs of Port Adventure, which are bold all round and always show. Everything in the shape of danger may be seen except the rock off Point Akers, which, owing to the smooth water, is not always to be seen. It stands about a of a mile off the point, and has about 5 feet at low water. As in all straits, the tide rips may be mistaken for breakers, but tbey are generally in the deepest water. The land on the north side of the Straits, from the S.W. head of Waikawa Bay to the west head of Tuwaiwai's Bay, is low and sandy, except from Mount Stirling to Barracoota Point; and from Point Howell to Pahie's Point to the westward of Green Island, it is mostly high and mountainous. It should be particularly noticed that it is only between the West Cape and Point Brothers* that there is a regular ebb and flood, as after leaving the latter, bolh tides set to the N.E., and on the N.W. side of Tavai Poenamu both set to the S.W. This is true as far as Cascades on one side and Banks' Peninsula on the other—-how much farther is not known. Running from Sollender's to Ragged Point, with a S.W. swell and flood tide, in thick weather, vessels should allow half a point. In Dusky B&y, Ch'alkey, and Preservation, the. water is in most places too deep to let go an anchor, and vessels should not run for them unless when the winds are sufficiently on or off the land to blow in or out, which are tbe only true winds. The winds between N.W. and N.E. are (owing to the high land) generally a succession of calms and heavy flurries. The table rock and reef off Preservation are bold all round, and always 6how. The tides in the above harbours are not of much consequence. Mason's may be known by the red cliffs of the Island > by the long sandy beach, and the bearings of Codfish Island, after rounding the corner of the Island, you bring up in 6 fathoms with the boat passage open to the Westward. Easy Harbour is small and not easily distinguished in the offing. It may, however, be found by observing tbe bearings of Moggy's Island, and by being 2$ miles to the north of Frazer'g Head, a bold hill to the Southward. Southern Pert may be entered by any of the passages, (except that I have marked shoal passage,) which looks as you run along to be good. The north channel is narrow and tbe flood tide sets out. There are numerous bays and coves, but the best anchorage is close to tbe sandy beach. In sailing for the Bluff Harbour from the westward, vessels should be aware that the flood, after rounding the South Point, divides into the Harbour and Straits tides, tbe former setting close round the Look-out and Stirling's Point, and tbe latter directly over.the Sand-spit towards Dog Island, so that it is requisite to keep close to the shore and keep the lead going. The ebb runs out of the harbour and joins the Straits-tide directly, running short round to the westward and causing a tide rip from the anchorage round to Barracoota Point which looks like shoal water, but. is in fact the channel. The tide lets very strong 3 or 4 knots in springs, and about mid-channel or rather inclining to the north shore, is the deepest water inside of Stirling's Point; vessels should bring up directly after passing the narrows above Stirling's, as the flood.may sweep them up among the flats, which do not show except at low water. There is a very strong tide in and out of the river Mawi, but it sets fair in and out, and the anchorage is about half a mile above the island and on the eastern shore in 5 fathoms at low water. Ships of any size may enter, but there is not room to work. Although I have marked Jacob's river,Tatoe's, and Waikawa, barred, they may be navigated by vessels drawing 9 or 10 feet of water, also the river in Tuwaiwai's Boy. I need give no directions for the harbours on the other side except to say, that the anchorage is where the anchors are marked, and the tides arc of no consequence after entering. Port William, Horse Shoe Bay,Halfmoon Bay, and Paterson's River, are capital harbours; but Murray's River, Momos' and Codfish, although excellent shelter, are strictly speaking only roadsteads. For Port Adventure you may sail on either side of the reef v and inside there .is no sensible tide. The southern shore close in is rocky bottom : you may brjhgi up: any where after passing■ the inner.South Head or haul at once into the basin. The anchorage in Broad Bay is only fit for, vessels .of 60.0r, 80 tons: there is always a heavy range with a southerly or S. W. gale. There is good shelter at Codfish with any wind except from North to W.N.W. At'Robucka you.cannot lie at Caroline •Harbour with the wind from N. or N, W., nor at

the pah with the wind from South to East n Henrietta Beach with the wind from S V \?f 8t West. ' *• W - to * And round Stewart's Island also.