Notice To Mariners. PORT PHILLIP HEADS LIGHTHOUSES.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 3, 19 May 1863, Page 2

Notice To Mariners. PORT PHILLIP HEADS LIGHTHOUSES.

]V nvie-.it or s are hereby informed that in neoord mice with n notice to mnvinPrs dated flip 27Mi o Ttfcrrnhpr , 7862. the nltprntinns in Mint-Hand's "PiufTnnr? Spit T.ighK and the exhibition for thp first fimo of a light on point Lonsdnle. ns notified on thn 3rd February, 1863, wore carried into effect, on the respective dates mentioned in such noticps. CnnvPQUPvt upon thrwi changes, the follow-in? snilinr directions are published for the guidance of tpsspls navigating the entrance to Port Phillip at ni iT ht: — Vpp=pls from the sonthwnrd and pnstwnrd will pee the high light (fixed white) on a N J- W bearing, and the white low light (fixed white and vpH) on a N -J- "R hearing: ns they proceed to the N"W to bring the. two lights in one, the low light will change its color from white to red on a N3TE £ E hnnring. Vessels from tho southward and westward sighting the high light, to the eastward of NE by K should, to avoid the Barwon bight, hnul out to the eastward to open the low light, which will bo first s^nn white on a NE by E bearing, and as they proceed to bring the two lights in one the low Jighfc will change its color from white to red on a NE I E bearing. A reference to the chart will show that, as hitherto, the best and safest course between the j Heads is to keep the two Shortland's Bluff lights in one line on a NE by N and SW by Shearing ; but should the wind become scant and the vesse fompelled to make a tack when in the vicinity of the Corsair Rock or the Point Lonsdale Tteef, these dangers will be avoided by vessels of light draught bo long as the Shortland's Bluff low red light is kept in sight.. Vefsels so circumstanced must he 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 LonsdaJe hns 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 Lons dnle green light on a NW by N J N bearing, and o 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 aNW by W bearing from the light over these dangers.. When the Lonsdale red light opens out full, v,essel&*ire inside of them; and when they shut it in on ft W:s N bearing, they are inside of the Corsair wick. Vesselssteering towards the West Channel will ' avoid the^reef off Shortland's Bluff, and the bank 'between it and "Swan Spit, and also dearth l??val George sand, whw in their vicinity, by ne

opening! but the Whit's light on ,Swaii Spit, but keeping the red light in sight until within three cables' length of it, when they will be above tho Royal George buoy, and should haul to the eastward, and open tho while light, giving the lighthouse a berth ofthree-quarter's of a cable's length in passing. Vessels navigating the South Chunnei are reminded that the low light on Shortiands Bluff now shows white from sea np to the South Channel to the east end of Cflpel Sound. Vessels below Capel Sound, White Perch Buoy, will be aided in their passage up o? down the South Channel, and avoid the north sand, by not shutting the light in, it being masted on a weat Tjy north bearing. Wifli the view of keening the fairway to the "West Channel clear, vessel of fig' ' d,< uerht are reeommej ded, vrhen anchoring off Shovtland s Bluff 1 , to bring "r> as close over towards the s e•" possible on the 1 W side of the fairway, in- cated at nio-htby tho Swan Snit light changing from red to white on a NE \ E bearing, and by day the Swan Spit lighthouse just open E of No. 1 black baov. Vessels of henvy drauprht should anchor on t c SE «tde of the fairway, which is indicated at night by the Swan Spit light changing from red 'to white on a NE £ N bearing, and by day the Swan Spit Lighthouse just open W of No. 2 White Perch Buoy. , Masters of vessels about to anchor at nisht ott Sbortland's I3luff are requested to note that the low light shuts in on a N by W bearing. All bearings are magnetic. Charxiis Ef.ugusok, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and TTarhors. Williamstown. 11th March, 1863.