STEEPLE ROCK LIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1847, 5 September 1913, Page 7

STEEPLE ROCK LIGHT.

0 THE CASE FOR IT, Navigation lights in Port Nicholson aro still the topic of tho moment. In yesterday's issue the opinion of the harbourmaster was given to tho effect that tho small red gleam on tho Falcon Shoal beacon could not, by any clianco, bo mistaken, for tho red sector from Somes Island. Captain W. Watson, secretary of tho Merchant Service Guild, and who may bp said to voice the opinions oi t|iat body, holds entirely different views. Speaking to a Dominion representative yesterday, he recalled tho fact that some weeks ago the guild had petitioned tho board to erect a guiding light on Steeple Rock, off Seatoun, and to mako nil tho navigating lights occulting instead of fixed, in order that tlicy will not be mistaken for lights aslioro, or those of any other vessel. By very simplo adjustment all tho buoy lights Could bo mado.to flash at varying periods. Tho guild's potition contained the signatures of 40 shipmasters bngaged .year in and out in navigating the port Surejy their opinion was worth grave consideration by tho port authority. No shipmaster wished to get himself into trouble, And would not sign a petition favouring a beacon light on Steeple Ilock if ho did not think thai it was going ,to assist him in steering a sa<fe course. Tho petition was to be considered by the Wharves arid 'Ac counts Committee on September 16 ■ and that committee would report to th( meeting of the full board on Septemher 24. Tho harbourmaster was to furnish a report on tho matter at the samt time. "I say emphatically," said Captair Watson, "that if the light on JSdcor Shoal had been an occulting one, the Devon would nover bo where slio if to-day, for it oould nover have beer mistaken. for the red sector of th< Somes Island light." Captain Watson referred to tho liar--1 bourmaster's statement to the pffec 1 1 that very extraordinary condition! must prevail when the falcon Shoa 1 light could bo picked up without got ' ting a glimpse of tho Somes Islam light. Ho (Captain Watson) said th/i was easily possible in the ease of thirl squally weather from tho south. i passing squall would shut out, botl : lights, but, as it cleared tho F?/lcoi 1 Shoal light, might ea~sily be visible fron the bridge of a vessel at tlio Head: whilst the thick of the squall still slur , out tho Somes Island light—that be cause tho Shoal light was so much t< | windward of Somes Island.