NOTICE TO MARINERS

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 18, 31 October 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

NOTICE TO MARINERS

[No. 26.]

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN. EEEF OFF STEWART ISLE, NEW ZEALAND. It appears from an examination of the Weather book of the ship Bruce , Thomas Meiklejohn Commander, in her passage from Otago by the south of Aew Zealand to Calcutta, in November last, when passing the south-east extreme of South or Stewart island, discovered a dangerous Reef which is not laid down in the Admiralty or other Charts or noticed in the New Zealand Pilot or Sailiim- Directions. ° This danger which is described as two low rocks from 3 to 6 feet high, and close together, on which the sea breaks heavily, lies in the direct track of vessels closely rounding Stewart island in proceeding to or from the southern settlements of New Zealand. Its position, which appears to have been mined with some accuracy, is as follows ' ' 1 1-tenth miles E. by N. J N. from Owen Isl. Lord’s River. 5 1-tenth “ E. by N. iN. from the extreme of the Break Sea Isles. 3 * “ lj y S. 3S. from Wreck Reef off Port Adventure. rc “ S. E. ]E. from East Head, north ' ot Port Adventure. Or, in latitude 47 deg, 7 min. 33 sec. S., and lon*. 168 deg. 21 min. 35 sec. E. ° Soundings, though tried for, were not obtained m its neighborhood, from the rapid rate of sailing of the ship in passing (lie danger. Caution.— lt is creditable toCaptain Meiklejohn to have entered the discovery of this Reef in his M cather book ; but it is greatly to be regretted that he did not take some steps immediately on bis arrival at Calcutta or in England to make public the existence of this very serious danger which lies but little out of the sailing (rack°of ships bound to the southern settlements of New Zealand. Had not the remark been seen by Rear-Admiral Fitz Roy (who was searching this book for Meteorological facts, and at once transmitted it to the Admiralty for publication) this reef might not have been heard of until it had caused the wreck of a On being applied to for further information, Captain Meiklejohn readily sent up his original Chart on which the Reef was marked at the time, and there can be little doubt of its existence ; Masters of vessels arc therefore warned to keep a good look out in this neighborhood. They are fin flier requested on the discovery of anv danger to report the same immediately on arriving at the first port, in order that other vessels put on their guard, and for the general benefit of the Mariner. [All Bearings are Magnetic. Variation, 16 deg. 20 min. East in 1861.] By Command of their Lordships, .'V JOHN WASHINGTON. : W ITgdrograpJier. Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London, 15 th August, 1861. This Notice affects the following Admiralty Charts New Zealand, General, No. 1.212 ; Foveaux Strait and South Island, No. 2,533; New Zealand Plans No. 2,512 ; Pacific Ocean, General, No, 2,083, and Sheet 10, No. 2,408; and New Zealand Pilot, p. 224.