LIGHTHOUSES, PORT PHILLIP HEADS VICTORIA.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 4, 22 May 1863, Page 2

LIGHTHOUSES, PORT PHILLIP HEADS VICTORIA.

(From the Gazette, March 18.) The accompanying notice to mariners respecting aerations in the light at Port Phillip Hearts, and Bailing 1 directions rendered necessary hy the alterainns in question, are published for general information. RoanKT S. ANDimsoN. Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne, March 12, 1833. NOTICE TO MaTUTTEHS. POET PHIIXTP HEADS IIGHTHOTTSEB. Navigators are hereby informed that in accord *mcc with a notice to mariners dated the 27th n December. 1862. the alterations in Shortland's jßluffand 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 euch notices. Consequent upon these changes, the following sailing directions are published for the guidance of vessels navigating the entrance to Port Phillip at ni"ht: — I Vessels from the southward and eastward will pee the high light (fi*pd white) onoNfW hearing, and the white low light (fixed white and red) on a N J-E hearing: as they proceed to the NW 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 IS should, to avoid the Barwon bight, haul out to lhe eastward to open t.h<> low light, which will be first s.»en white on a NE hv E bearing, and as they proceed to bring the two lights in one the low h'ght will change its color from white to red on a NE \ E hearing, A. reference to the chart will show that, as hitherto, the hest and safest course between the Heads is to keep the two Shortland's Bluff lights i in one line on a NE by N and SW by S bearing ; j •at sliould tbe wind "become scant nnd the veese impelled to make a tack when in the vicinity of 'ie Corsair Rock or the Point Lonsdale Heef, ) ese dangers will be avoided by vessels of light j ,i aught to long as the Shortla&d's BlufF low red j

light is kept in sight. Vessels so circumstanced must be carefulto go about .or haul towards midchannel before the low light changes from red to white. . ■> . • • * ' " K :yi . _ ■■■ -A The light (fixed red and green) on Point Lonsdale has been established to warn vessels entering or departing at night, of their vicinity to, ana when they are clear of, the Lonsdale and Ferguson roclcs Vessels steering from sea for Port Phillip, and near the entrance, will first see the Point Lons dale green light on a NW by N i 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, vessels are inside of them; and when they shut it inonaWiS bearing, they are inside of the Corgfl ii* roclc Vessels steering towards the West Channel will avoid tho reef off Skortland'a 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 three cables' length of it, when they will be above tha Royal George buoy, and should haul to tho eastward, and open the white light, giving the lighthouse a berth of three-quarter's ofa 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 Capel Sound, White Perch Buoy, will bo aided in their passage up or down the South Channel, 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 clear, vessels of light draught are recommended, when anchoring off Shortland s Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the shore as possible on the NW side of the fairway, indicated at ni^htbv the Swan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE \ E bearing, and by day the Swan Spit lighthouse just opeu E of No. 1 black baov. ' . Vessels of heavy draught should anchor on the side ofthe fnirwnv, which is indicated at night by the Swan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE f N hearing, and by day tho Swan Spit Lighthouse just opeu W of No. 2 White Perch Buoy. • Masters of vessels about to* anchor nt night oft Shorthand's Bluff are requested to note that the low light shuts in on a N by W bearing. All bearings aro magnetic. Charles Fekouson, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Williamstown. llth March, 18G3.