Notice to Mariners.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 66, 23 June 1863, Page 2

Notice to Mariners.

PORT PHILLIP nGA.D9 LIOHITnOUSKS. Navigators are hereby informed that in accordance with a notice to mariners dated the 27th of December, 18(52. the alterations in Short land's Bluff nnd Swan Spit Lights, and the exhibition for the first time of n light on Point Lonsdale, as notified on the 3rd February, 1863, 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 ve-tsela navigating the entrance to Port Phillip at night: — ■Yea'ols from the southward and eastward will sec the high light, (fixed white) on a N £ W hearing, and the white low light (fised white and rod*on a N $ E bearing; as they proceed to the NW to brin? the two lights in one, the low light will change its color from white to red on a NNE £ E earing. Vessels from the southward and westward sighting the high light to the eastward of NE by E shouFd, to avoid the Barwon bight, haul out to the eastward to open the low light, which will be first s^en white on a N l2 by E bearing, and as they proceed to bring the two lights in one the lowlight will change its color from white to red ona NK£ E bearing. A reference to the chart will show that, as hitherto, the best and safest course between the B>ads is to keep the two Shorthand's Bluff hghrs - 'in one line on a NE by N and SW by S bearing ; 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 Reef, 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 Lonsdale has'been established to warn vessels entering or departing afc night, of their vicinky to. and when tliey are clear of, the Lonsdale and Ferguson rtfeks. . Vessels steering from sea for Port Pnillip, and near the entrance, will first see the Point Lons dale green light on aNWby N N bearing, and so lon" - 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 whicli passes on a NW by W bearing from the light over these dangers. When fche Lonsdale red light- opens out full, vessels are inside of them ; and when they shut it in on a W 5 N bearing, they are inside of the Corsair rock. Vessels steering towards tho West Channel will avoid tho reef off SViortUnd's Bluff, and the hank between ifc and Swan Spit, and also clear the Royal Georgo sand, when in their vicinity, by not opening out the white light on Swan Spit, bui keeping the red light in sight until within three cn'oles'length of it, when they will he ahove tho Royal George buoy, anrl should haul to the eastward, and open tho white light, giving the lighthouse a berth of three-quarter's ofa cable's length in passing. Vessels navigatmg the South Chunnel are re- . mindod thafc the low light ou Shortlands Bluff now shows white from sea up to the South Channel to the east nnd of Cnpel Sound. * Vessels beW Capel Sound, White Perch Buoy, will be aided in their passage up or down the Soutli Chunnel, nnd avoid the north sand, by not shutting tho 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, wlaen anchoring ofl Shortland's Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the shore as possible on the NW side of the fairway, indicates at nijhfcbv the Swan Spit 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 buoy. Vessels of heavy draught should anchor on the SE side of the fairway, which is indicated afc night by the Swan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE f N bearing, and by day tbe Swan Spit Lighthouse just open W of No. 2 White Perch Buoy. Masters of vessels about to anchor nt night off Shortland's Bluff are requested to note that the low light shuts in on a N by W bearing. AH bearings are magnetic. Charles Ferguson, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, "Williamstown, llth March, 1863.