LIGHTHOUSES, PORT PHILLIP HEADS VICTORIA.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 2, 10 July 1863, Page 2

LIGHTHOUSES, PORT PHILLIP HEADS VICTORIA.

(From the Gazette, March 18.) The accompanying notice to mariners respecting Iterations in the light at Port Phillip Heads, and ailing directions rendered necessary by the alt eraions in question, are published for general information. Robert 8. Akdeilson, Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne. March 12,1863.

Vessels from the -southward and eastward will see the high light (fixed white) on a N \ W I earing, and the white low light (fixed whito and pod) onaN^E bearing; as they proceed to the NW to brin£~tlie two lights in one. the low light will change it 3 color from white ti red on a NNE £ S earing. ■ : 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 he ft" ret s.>en white on aNE by E bearing, and as they proceed to bring the two lights in one the low light will change its color from white to red ona NEJE bearing. A reference 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 S W 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 tho Point Lonsdale Reef, these dangers will be avoided by vessels of light draught so long as the Short-land's Bluff low red light is kept in sight. Vessels so circumstanced must be careful to go about or haul towards- m-pi channel before the low light changes from red to whito. The light (fixed rod 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 tho Point Lons dale green light on a NW by N £ N bearing, and so long as they have it full in view they are to seaward of tho Lonsdak and Ferguson rocks, when the two colors, red and green, begin to blend, it indicates vicinity to the line which passes on a NW by W bearing from the light over these dangers. When the Lonsdale red light opens out full, vessels are ineide of them ; and when they shut it, in on jWp bearing, they arc 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 tho white light on Swan Spit, but keeping tho red light in sight until within three cables' length of it. when they will be above tho Rural 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 Capel Sound, White Perch Buoy, will be 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 rreitnmended, when anchoring off Shorthand's Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the shore as possible on tlie NW side of the fairway, indicates at night by the Swan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE £ E bearing, and by day the Swan Spit lighthouse juet open E of No. 1 black buoy. Vessels of heavy draught should anelior 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 £ 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 night off Shortland's Bluff are requested to note that tho low light shuts in on a N by W bearing. All bearings are magnetic. CnAutfis Ferguson, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Williainetown. 11th March, 1863.