LIGHTHOUSES, PORT PHILLIP HEADS VICTORIA.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 1, 12 May 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

LIGHTHOUSES, PORT PHILLIP HEADS VICTORIA.

(From the Gazette, March 18.) The accompanying notice to mariners respecting, alterations in the lifjht at Port Phillip Heads, and sailing directions rendered necessary by the alterations in question, are published for general information. RoaRET S. Andeeson, Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne, March 12, 1863.

Notice to Mabisbbs.

POET PHILLIP HEADS XIGHTHOPSES. Navigators are hereby informed that in accord, anee with a notice to mariners dated the 27th of" December, 18(52, the alterations in shortland's Bluff and Swan Spit Lights, and the exhibition for the first time of a light on Point Lonsdale, as notified on the 3rd February, 1863, were carried into effect on the respective dates mentioned in such notices. upon these changes, the following 1 sailing directions are published for the guidance of vessels navigating the entrance to Port Phillip at nijht:— Tea els from the southward and eastward will see the high light (fixed white) on a N £ W bearing, and the white low light (fixed white and red) on a N £ R bearing; as they proceed to the W to bring the two lights in one, the low light will. change its color from white to red on a NNE £ E bearing. "Vessels from the southward and westward sighting the high light to the eastward of NE by E should, to avoid the Barwon bight, haul out to the eastward to open the low light, which will befirst sjen white on a NE by E bearing, and as they pi-oceed to bring the two lights in one the low lioht will change its color from white to red on a, N 1£ £ E bearing. A rererence to the chart will show that;, as ' hitherto, the best and safest course between the Heads is to keep the two Shortland's Bluff lights in one line on a NE by N and SW by S bearing j but should the wind become scant and the vesse compelled to make a tack when in the vicinity of the Corsair Rock or the Point Lonsdale Heef,. these dangers will be avoided by vessels of light draught so long as the Shortland's Bluff low red light is kept in sight. Vessels 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 Lons*dale 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 Longdale green light on a NW by N \ N bearing, and so long as they have it full in view they are to seaward of the Lonsdale and Ferguson rocks, when the two colors, red and green, begin to blend, it indicates vicinity to the line which passes on a N*YV 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 £ N bearing, they are inside of the Corsair rock. Vessels steering towards the West Channel will avoid the reef off Shortland's Bluff, and the bank between it and Swan Spit, and also clear, the-"* Royal George sand, when in their vicinity, by not opening out the white light on Swan Spit, but keeping the red light in sight until within threecables' length of it, when they will be above theRoyal 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'* length in passing. vessels navigating the South Chunnel are »• minded 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 Capel Sound, White Perch Baoj, will be aided in their passage up or down tho-Jl South Channel, and avoid the north sand, by nofcja shutting the light in, it being masked on a west brjjjH north bearing. JH With the view of keeping the fairway to »(■ West Channel clear, vessels of light draught W^M recommended, when anchoring .'off, ShortlaiK^H Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the^hore a^l possible on the NW side of the fairway, indteataafl at night by the Swan Spit light changing from »&■ to white on a NE \ E bearing, ana by.^dtfy tb^B Swan Spit lighthouse just open B at lio. iFblae^H Vessels of heavy draught shouldaadgr on &■■ , SE side of the fairway, wlach.ia iuiliUJWi at nigjafl by the Swan Spit light changing Ironitd to wha^H on a NE f N bearing, and Dggay tfc* Swat^^HH Lighthouse just op^n W~of^o.!|Jfbite^H^HH Buoy. ' ,: x '<%K - -Masters of vessel* about Jo raflMf *ypApApfl [• Shortland's Bluff ate requested jtonoteJ^p^p^HH [ " light abate in on £TX*bjW beiu^agv^^^^^^H > . All bearing! we ougMtie^ ., r^^^^^^^M , Department of Porto and Barkt^^^^H . __ Wubanutown.UUiltoa^l^^^^^^B