HARBOUR LIGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1888, 24 October 1913, Page 11

HARBOUR LIGHTS.

RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

HARBOURMASTER'S REPORT.

A SAFE HARBOUR,

A lengthy report on tho subject of the lighting of tho Port of Wellington was presented to Wednesday's meeting of the Harbour Board by the Harbourmaster (Captain H, Johnston). Tho report was, in part, as follows:— ~ "f it to be clearly understood tiiat 1 have been for a long period of years intimately acquainted with the nautical _ assessors who sat on the marine inquiry, held in the Supreme urt, to determine, if possible, the causo of the wreck of tho s.s. Dovon on I encarrow Point. Therefore, I am solely reporting on their suggestions, giatuitously given, for the lighting, or alterations of the lighting of Port Nicholson, such as would, I assume, in their opinion prevent other serious casualties, and also to ensure the safe navigation of tho harbour in the future, secondly, I am not in any way reporting on the wreck of the Devon, although I am compelled to touch on many points of the case to more clearly explain and define my opinion on the suggestions tendered by the assessors, to which, I have no doubt, due consideration will be given by the board. I am deeply indebted to a great number of masters who command all classes of vessels for information ia connection with' light, buoys, and other matters under my control. But so far, I have not come in contact with any who assumed they were exports in tho lighting of harbours they were trading to, and I ask to be allowed to assume that tho assessors on the Devon caso surely com© near to exceeding their prerogative when they imagined thoy were experts in tho lighting of tins harbour, their suggestions being so sweeping that each light in connection with the navigation of the channel and harbour came in for their condemnation, notwithstanding tho fact that it took the pressure of several deputations, including the members of the Merchant Service Guild, to the then Minister of Marine before tho low-level light oil Pencarrow was established. Finally, the Harbour Board crime to the rescue, and resolved to erect tho light, and maintain it. Now the hoard is asked to establish a flashing light in the vicinity of the outer rock of Barrett Reef," this light to supersede t-he prosent low-level light under Poncarrow Head. "If the advice tendered to the board is to bo judged, by numbers, then the past opinions of masters trading to the port pronounce the suggestion of the assessors in regard to this light to bo erroneous. Tho Low Level Light. "The low level light on Pencarrow Point is situated 6J- cables south of tho outer rock, Barret Reef, and' is eight cables distant in a direct lino from tho light to the rock. A vessel passing inwards enters the red sector when passing this light. This red sector covers the western shore, including Barret Reef, giving ample time for the adjustment of tho vessel's position and course! boforo sho approaches tho reef. No vessel can pass inwards without seoing this, light and danger sector. Somes Island light, red sector, also snows over tho reef. Thereforo. two lights cover that danger. Tho assosors speak of ono only. "If Barret Reef is practically the only danger at tho entrance (as tho assessors stated) then .how comes it that that tho Devon before entering tho danger zone of the light ran on tho rocks on tho eastern side of the entrance not 000 feet from a bright light burning olear and throwing its rays on the vessel's deck P This is an undeniable fact. Tho board placed tho ligbt there to indicate tho danger, and they cannot bo held responsible if a. vessel runs on tho rocks at full speed under it. Another fact can be gathered from this, that guiding lights into a harbour should be (if at all possible) placed in such position that vessels steering for them aro drawn away from dangers and not towards them." Referring to tho Sotnes Island light, Captain Johnston said: "Somes Island light is a. second-class dioptric light, and although tho red colouring decreases its power, it shows a strong light over Barret Reef and for some distance seaward of it I had years of practical experience in ..working vessels by night in through tho channel, even in strong winds and rain, which gave ample opportunity to test the power of the light in all its segments. Since then tho power of tho Jight has been largely, increased. I admit that during rain or hazy weather the power of tho light is lessened, but all lights are affcctcd under those conditions, and I maintain that tho red sector shown over' the reef is a good light. Lighting Barret Reof. "The suggestion for a light on, tho outer rock of Barret Iteef is not new. The reef is six cables long and detached from the main land by a navigable channel of three cables in width. Tho reef i 9 formed of detached rocks with deeji .water between them. Tho difficulties to contend with in the erection of a tower to carry tho light aro many. Thereforo, I shall pass tho suggestion on for export engineers to decide. Tho assessors say the light on the reef would supersede tho present low light under Pencarrow Head. Then a vessel running for the entrance in a moderate g i weaker that obscured tho high light on Pencarrow, would have to pass two danger points before passing the light on Barret Reef. The position of the low level light was chosen because it is the first point of contact when entering the harbour, and in my opinion its position is unassailable, and tho light should never bo romoved. "The assessors say: 'A light on Barret Reef would make the entrance of tho harbour a perfectly safe undertaking.' A Perfectly Safe Port. "I say it is a perfectly safe undertaking now, and hero are tho proofs:— 'This is tho only port (bar harbours and roadsteads excluded) in tho Dominion controlled by a board that says pilotage is not ooinnulsory.' Thereforo all classes of vessels enter the port day or night under their masters' charge, except tho service of a pilot is desired. In the year 1912 approximately 580 foreign or oversea vessels, with a not tonnage of 2~2£>.3,CG0 tons, navigated the channel, and only two vessels were piloted inwards after dark 111 the year 1913 approximately 578 foreign or oversea vessels, wtih a net tonnage of 2,384,844 tons, liavigeted tha channel, and only on» vessel was piloted inwards after dark. The only steam vessel over wrecked when attempting to enter the harbour was the Devon. No vessels have ever boon lost on Barret Roof during the night, and further I bolievo all roasters holding a permit empowering them to berth thoir vessels at tho wharves, possoss sufficient knowledge of tho harbour to onablo thorn to navigate the channel in fine, clear weather during tho night in perfect safety, although all guiding Ijglits were obscured, omitting tho light on- Poncarrow Head (wnioli is also a light in the navigation of Cook Strait). I know this is actually being dono by masters navigating Chaffer's Passage. Thore are no lights in that locality to guido them. I think we have sufficient proof to warrant us in saying the port is perfectly anfo and

no difficulty exists to prevent any master, if lie so chooses, to outer tho port at night. Court Assessors and, Somes Island Light. "Tho assessors advise as follows:— 1 Somes Island light- should bo occulting, so that the various scct-ors could not bo mistaken for a shoro or vessel's lights. To moke this light occulting does not meet tho requirements of the shipmasters. For years back various deputations have waited on the Government, and their complaint was that tho light could not be seeii' from the entrance in thick or rainy weather when most needed, t'ho distance being too great, and I agree with their opinion, in so far that 1 have submitted proposals to tho board which it has adopted, namely, to erect two lights in transit to define tho centre of the entrance and leduee tho distonco from tho entrance and also to lead direct through the channel, tho front beacon about two miles from the Outer Rock, Barrot lleet, and tho back bcaoon about three miles four cables. . . Cani it be converted into an, occulting light and retain its present important value relative to the navigation of the channel ? I • understand not, the reason being, tho white sector is only three degrees in width and it should be ten before satisfactory results can bo obtained. We also loso the bl ing of tho colours of tho light, winch can bo distinctly seen in a fixed liKlit, a very important thing when working a sailing vessel through tho channel, and although masters .in command of steamers are apt to forget that sailing vessels have to be provided for in iU« lighting _ of all harbours, the port authonties cannot do so. Flashing and Occulting Lights. "The assessors conclude by saying: Owing to the innumerable lights on shore of great brilliancy and different colours, all lights marking dangers and as aids to navigation, should bo flashing or occulting so as to avoid mistakes. In a former paragraph tho assessors, in referring to tho red sector of Somes Island light, made reference to its power being decreased to a. great extent- over Barret' Reef, a distance of five miles and a half. They now infer, that tho brilliancy of the lights at Petone to miles further back might bo mistaken for tho white sector of Somes Island light. When a vessel is entering the harbour, Somes Island to a great extent covers the lights directed north of it, and tho light on that island appears to stand distinct from any other light. lam not aware of any coloured lights at Pctone, but, however, from tho assessors' own reasoning, they could not be visible. When we take into consideration- the greet expanse of water in this harbour, tile brilliancy of shore lights cannot be a serious obstacle to navigation, in the inner harbours, and tho lights along the shoro at Petone l aro tho only supposed obstruction than call, at present, exist in connection with the navigation of tho main channel. "I have ondoavoured to trace the . reason why the assessors advocated that all lights connected with 'the navigation of the harbour should be ma<V) occult' ing .or flashing. For that purpose I inquired into the method or principle adopted at other ports, and I find Port Phillip, Port Jackson, Newcastle, and Adelaide differ from the assessors in that they, so far, adhere to tho old principle of two fixed lights in transit, which ensures the most accurate course being mado in narrow channels. Therefore, the chief reason is known only to tho assossors. . A Suggestion. "If I am justified in so doing, I would recommend that the Minister of Marino bo asked to convert, if possible, the high light on Pencarrow. Head into a characteristic light. Tho ever-increas-ing number of electric lights around Lyall Bay and Island Bay. make it difficult in thick or rainy weather for masters who aixi strangers and those who come occasionally to the port, to locate the light as readily as _ 'thoy should do. This recommendation is wholly -mad© on the information, I have obtained from masters of ocean steamers on various occasions, and I agree with their opinion. At the same time I leave it in the hands of those who are empowered and entrusted with tho responsibility of establishing and attending, with ever-increasing care, the ■lights in connection with the navigation placed along the shores of this Dominion and in the harbours. Thoy should be, and I bolievo are, the exports in lighting. "As the honour of the jwri and the safety of the shipping are in the hands of the board, so also is the power (if necessity compels it) to adopt, or partly adopt, the course followed at otlior ports by declaring compulsory pilotage during the night and free during the day." The report was received.