LIGHTHOUSES, POUT PHILLIP HEADS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 21 April 1863, Page 2

LIGHTHOUSES, POUT PHILLIP HEADS.

TICTCVRTA. (Frnm the Gazette, "March IS.) The accompanying notice to mariners r^n^cting alterations in the light sit Port Phillip Heads, and sailing directions rendered necessary hv the n'lferalions in question, are published for general information. KoatiTiT S. A^Tnrßsn-N-, Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Department of Tr-vle nn.l Customs, Melbourne, ** : March 12, 1803. Notict: to Marixttrk. POUT PnriXTP HEAPS I.IGTTTTTOT7ST:3. Navigators are hereby informed that in accordance with a notice to mariners dated the 27th of December. 1862. the alterations in Slmvtland's Bluff and Swan Spit Lights, and the e-shibition for the first, time of a light on Point Lnnsdale, ns notified on the 3rd February, 1803, were carried into effect on the respective dates mentioned in such notices.

Consequent upon these changes, the following sailing directions are published for the guidance of vessels navigating the entrance to Port Phillip at night :—

Vessels from the southward and eastward will see the high light (fixed whifo) on a "N" h W bearing, and the white low light (fixed white and redi on a N -\ E benrinsr: as tliev proceed to tho NW to bring the two lights in one, the low light will chancre its color from white to red on a NNE 4- E bearing.

Vessels frorn the southward and westward Bielitinir the high lieht to the eastward of NEby E should, to avoid the Barwnn bight, hnul out to the past-ward to open the low light, which will be first sjen white on a NE hvE bearing, and as they proceed to bring tho two lights in one the low light will change its color from white to red on a 2iF. .' F. hearing. A reference to the chart will show that, as hithnrto, the best and safest course between the Heads is to keep the two Shortland's Bluff lights in one line on a XF. by N and SW by S bearing ; but should the wind become scant, and tho vessel compelled to make a tack when in the vicinity of the Corsair Rock or the Point Lonsdale IJeef. these dangers will be avoided by vessels of light draught so long as the Shortland's Bluff low red light is kept in sight. Vefseis so circumstanced must be careful to go about or haul towards midchannel before the low light changes from red to white.

The light (fixed red and green) on Point Lonsdale has been established to warn vessels entering or departing at night, of their vicinity to. and when they are clear of, the Lonsdale and Ferguson rocks.

Vessels steering from sea for Port Phillip, and near the entrance, will first see the Point Lonsdale green light on a NW by N \ N bearing, and so long as they have it full in view they arc to seaward of the Lonsdale and Ferguson rocks ; when the two colors, red and green, begin to blenrl. it indicates vicinity to the line which passes on aNW by W bearing from the light over these dangers. When the Lonsdale red light opens out full, vessels are inside of them ; and when they shut it in on a W iV N bearing, they arc inside of the Cor-

sair rock.

Vessels steering towards the "West Channel will avoid the reef off Shetland's Bluff, and the bank between it and Swan Spit, and also clear the Royal Goorge sand, when in their vicinity, by not opening out the white light on Swan Spit, but keeping the red light in sight until within three cables' length of it, when they will bo above the Royal George buoy, and should haul to the eastward, and open the white light, giving the lighthouse a berth of three-quarter's of a cable's length

in passing,

Vessels navigating the- South Chunnel are reminded that the low light on Shortlands Bluff now shows white from sea up to the South Channel to the east end of Capel Sound.

Vessels below Cnpel Sound, "White Perch Buoy, will be aided in their passage up or down the South Chnnnp], and avoid the north sand, by not shutting; the light in, it being masked on a west by north bearing. With the view of keeping the fairway to the West Channel cl^ar, vessels of light dvausht nve recommended, when anchoring off Shortland's Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the shore ns possible on the JIW side of the fairway, indicated at night by the Swan Spit light changing from ml to white on a I^E i E hearing, and by day the Swan Spit lighthouse just open E of iS'o. 1 black buoy.

Vessels of heavy draught should anchor on the SE side of the fairway, which is indicated at night by the Swan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE f N bearing, and by day the Swan Spit Lighthouse juat open "W" of No. 2 White Perch ißuoy.

Masters of vessels about to anchor at night off Shortland's Bluff are requested to note that the low light shuts in on a N by W bearing.

All bearings are magnetic. Champs Ferguson, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Williamstown, 11th March, 1863.