MERCURY BAY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 822, 18 June 1853, Page 4

MERCURY BAY.

Mercury Bay, so called from Captain Cook having observed the transit of Mercury here, is a large inlet, between Cape Colville and the Bay of Plenty, affording anchorage during westerly winds, in sandy bays on its north and south shores, but the most preferable is that known as Cook's Bay, at the mouth of Oyster River. At the Head of Mercury Bay, in the south-west angle is a mangrove river, which has a snug anchorage, secure in every wind, which will be hereafter described. The entrance to Mercury Bay 13 4£- miles across, a north and soiuh. It is approached from the northward by either entering between Mercury Islands group and the Alderman's, or by hugging the coast, — the latter is often preferred for the sake of keeping the weather shore on board. The outer channel snows all dangers with the exception of a rock (a mile N.W. of the outer Mercmy Island), which occasionally breaks, and has deep water all round it/ There is 40 fathoms between these islands and the Alderman's, decreasing to 20 across the eutrance of the bay. To approach by the inner Channel — Having pabsed Mercury Island, and reaching the point 2$ miles S.S.E. of it, forming the west point of a deep bight, and having 1 small islets off it. This point is clear of rocks. Three quarters of a mile off the next point will be seen a round islet, — midway between it and this round island, a rock laid down in the Acheron's chart, and seldom breaking, must be avoided by keeping the point close onboard. There is then another rock (which is nearly awash at low water) in a line between this and the steep grey islands, Koruengai, at the north entrance of Mercury Bay ; but which the Pandora must have passed within her length, as she beat through this channel before observing it. It is preferable . to shape a course outside this rock and the Islands, ' although there is a channel of nine fathoms within, avoiding another rock, covered only at high water, a cable off the north point of Mercury Bay. Having passed this, Koranga Island, 150 feet high, and islet off it are steep to — The Twins, a double conical islet, 1$ miles within, are also steep to — before reaching them is Mata Pana Bay, 'having 5 fa'homs, sandy bottom ; off the west point of this bay a ledge of rocks extends one tb ird of a mile towards the Twins. The North Shore «to Buffalo Bay is now clear. The middle island in Mercury Bay (native name "Motii Korure") has foul ground 2 cables off the N.E. and S.E. extremes, but is bold to the westward. " Moturoa " Tower rock, rising abruptly 188 feet, within a mile of the southern entrance, has also foul ground 2 cables round it. On approaching Mercury Bay from the southward, there is a rock, seldom showing, but occasionally breaking heavily ; it ha 9 from 9to 13 fathoms all round it. It bears N 42<> W. f of a mile from Te-Tui or Mahurangi, the island forming the south entrance of "Mercury Bay, and it bears N. 80° E., 1$ miles from Tower Rock. The passages amongst these islands are complicated, and to be avoided. There are no other dangers in Mercury Bay until Shakspsare's Cliff is passed, and the soundings will be found to decrease gradually, having 10 fathoms on either side of Middle Island, and 5 fathoms up to the Shakspeare's Cliff, where a yes- , sel may anchor, but should not proceed higher unless intending to enter Mangrove River. To sail into Mangrove River, run midway for Buffalo beach, at the head of the bay. By keeping the Twins just open of Koranga Islet N. 35 deg E., Fly bank is avoided, and hauling up for the river, steer a middle course ; but avoid a spit on theboach side by keeping a distant round red hill on with High Pah Point. „,.,„ Thjs spit extends offthebeacb, just before reaching the low pah at the entrance of the river, and after passing this pah, moor in mid-channel. Vessels undergoing repair haul alongside the builder's yard, or run aground above High Pi-h Point. ! The tides require studying, and vessels should go in at last quarter flood. It would be better to I be there at slack water, for there is no room to round to, and the tides run 3 to 4 knots per hour. The Jeast water in the channel going into the river has at low water springs 14 feet, at high water 21 feet. The river above the high Pah, although exten- ! sive, is only navigable for boats. Water can be alwajs procured round the high Pah point. There are few natives ; but there is a carpenter's yard off the anchorage, where ships have been repaired; but I regret that its present occupiers-Mr. Lloyd, is about to leave, having, at ; present insufficient inducement to remain. Mangrove river causes the tides in MercHry B,>y to be scarcely perceptible on the south shore, but on the north shove, at springs, they run 1 J knots. This can be taken due advantage -of in working in or out. If, on the approach of an easterly gale, it is required to run for Mangrove liiver, it should be taken as soon as possible, for the sea Tolling into the bay will break across the_ shoaler parts of Buffalo Bay. One of Mr. Lloyd's men, at the entrance of the river, might actas pilot if required. The northern shoies of Mercury Hay are' wooded. The treble peak, rising above Mahungrape is 1026 feet high. The south shore is barren and uncultivated. A , long flat country extends from the head of Buffalo Bay to the high ranges of Coromandel. The native population of Witiatigi is very small. There are no wharres on the south shore, and only small patches of cultivation at the mouth of Oyster River. On the north shore there are about 30 inhabitants in Mata Pana Bay, well-behaved Christians. Their settlement, called Thaupua, just within the north head. The chief is 6 years of age. Whare-Kaho and Ohuki, at the head of the bay, are more extensive settlements, but.they do no cultivation beyond their own' requirement. 'I hey migrate to Mercury Islands, and the bay was almost entirely deserted duiing September. Oyster Creek is hardly navigable for canoes, although of considerable breadth. In Mangrove River, at Whanga Maioro, there is a large settlement; four miles from the mouth of the river is a flax-mill, in good order, but not worked at present. The other branches of this river, winding through fine districts, have ruined saw-mills and dilapidated bridges,— -tokens of enterprise not ill-bestowed on the country, but apparently in advance of the time9. Captain Cook's observations on' Mercury Bay show the remarKable changes that have taken place in the last 70 years — not only in the decrease of population, but in the physical changes of the coast. He describes, and leaves a sketch ofa rock connecting Marhanganape.and the main, with its arch under it, and on it a Pah ; it still exists, and in a similar shape, but has dwindled to such a' small, sharp rock, that where the pah was, a man could only stride as on a horse. Similar effects have taken place on Shakspeare's Cliff, which isfast supplying rocks to the deep below — indeed the whole coast here is more than ordinarily perforated,' and one cave on the, north shore was penetrated to 400 feet, having there a depth of 4 fathoms. Huki-Huki Pah L 0 3 4l 76 Entrance to Mangrove. Eas l o f Auckland Depot Rwer - Point. . 15 ° East. H. W., at F. & C.,--7h. 21m. Springs rise, 7 feet, Neap 3 4 feet.