Page 3 Advertisements Column 5

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 42, 12 February 1864, Page 3

■ ■ DiSeOTIONS FOR THE; MANUKATI HARBOUR, \ Jr/S? CoMBIiETKB BY COMMAKDER F. "WV ./ ■"■■;■ 1 Sidney, R.N. '" ■ .. . ? | Tn consequence of the changes that have tnlteri? plmfcin the ftppi',onchea : to theManukßii Hftrhnr fas so deplorablymanitoßted by the losa of H.M.S. Orphpus), the Admiralty determined to have a" now survey made, and directed Oaptaid Sidnpy, ;B.J?«, to Suspend for a time the survey of the enact of Now South Wnleo, tinon whiah ho was wpnsjDd, nnd nrncGoiUo Now geiilimd to rn.BUrvev and flrftvf up fvegKtaaUine direotlona for tha.nnvli gflMfin of the ohannek leading to the Sfanuicou: This 'ollowine vernnrks flan* dilation* Result from thf »>£>u6gftminfitlon of, thfit loehHliy. j-» ; ■ ; . v ..'. $he nntimnee to the main channel appears iahaw shifted both to the northward as to seaward, the bafr now being half a mile more to the westward them nt the time of Captain Drury's suWey In 1858. ■■„! : • , I The channel is also wider, the 8-feefc bank ithat popnrntod what was onllpdthe North Channel From the main, bavin? how disappeared, if Ifc 'ever : existed. A ship, by attention to the load, tnay now work either in or out. ■ '■■■-"• ; ' The leading mark ÜBod at present iit tho Nino Pin rdbk, in line with tho tnnjrenl; of the inner point of the South Hend, ns shown in the sketoh ; but as thero is the same depth, via.— S^ fathoms a little th tho north* ard,- and the hanks having a tendency to extend themselves yet more in that direction, tt would be better to bring the Nine Pin Hook in line either with the objects marked B or C on the sketch nnd plans for crossing the bnr. After, crosslne: the bar a clance at the plan will be sufficient to keep the channel. The South Channel stems hitherto to have been vory impprfpolly known, and ita merits underrated ; bufc now thnfc buoys hnve been placed, its approach and navigation is rendered enay, and the depth of wnter being the same as that on the bar of the main channel, and accessible at times -when the lat*f>r is dangerous, it is much to be preferred. To make the South Channel from seaward, keep the signal staff of Paratutai in line with tbe White Pile recently erected on the inner slope of the peak called Pukehuuhu on the chart (pronerly Pnlcehoho), N.if, This mark lends midway between the shoals off the South Head and the Heron Spit ; and when tho gnp inside Poroporo (now almost an islet) and the Two Trees, to tbe right of the wooded range, come in line, steer for it up to tho outer Fairway Bnoy, the crossing mark for which is the Nino Pin rock and Parera Island in line. The outer Fair-way Buoy is red, with black vertical stripes, having a bell within a circular caere on top. Leave this buoy, or the spot indicated by tbe marks, on the left hand half of a cable, steering li point more to the east for nearly four cables' length, whfin tlie inner Fairway Buoy will be reached. This buoy is similar to the outer one in every respect. Leaving this also on tbe left band half « cable's length, two buoys will be seen in advance to the northward — a black one on the left indicating the position of the Tranmere Shoal (to the westward), and a red one on the right, If c.iblo apart — pass midway between them steering parallel with the shore, passing the Snifc Buoy (red) on the right, and the buoy at the tail of tbe Emma Bank (half black and white top) on tbe left, into the deep water channel. Tt is recommended that Pukehoho be chosen as tho site for the contemplated telegraph station ; the signals to be made by two pairs of semaphore arms — one pair above the otber ; one half of the arms along their length being painted black and the other white, which would ensure their been seen under all circumstances of light and shade, against the sky, or with tho land behind — tbe arms working at right angles to a line midway between tho main and south channels. The stump of tho mast or a beacon should be on Paratutai for the South Channel entrance mark. Tho following remarks are by Mr. Wing, pilot and harbour-master, made during an experience of over a quarter of a century : — High water at the entrance of the Manukau at fnll and change of moon at 9h. 30m. The range at spiings, 13 feet ; neaps, Bfe 't. The flood comes from the northward, setting along the shore from one to two knots, hut when coming in contact with the banks about, the bar, it trends into tbe channels, increasing its rato to four or five knots as it appivmehes the Heads. Care should be taken to guard against the crosstides about the spits and swatchways. Tho prevailing winds ai-e from N.W. to S.W., nnd it seldom blows a gain from tbe southward — the wind moderating as it draws from S.W. to southward. Easterly <rales are not frequent, and generally shift suddenly to the westward, in a violent squall and very heavy rain. The gales rarely continue long in one ouarter, and a stronsr breeze from N.W. or even W.S.W. (as a rule) does not cause a heavy sea in the south channel, which can be taken with safety towards high water. The Bar, with sucb.winds, gen erally speaking, breaks, nnd sometimes dangerously, towards low water ; but in case the gale gets to tbe SW., the sea will bmik right across both channels but less across the S channel, which is never at any time so dangerous as the main. This, however, is of short duration, and seldom lasts over a day end night, when by tho morning it becomes moderate, an i the south channel free of break (even though there be considerable swell outside and the banks breaking heavily), and safe to enter at proper time of tide, say at half flood, or even at first quarter ebb, with n commanding breeze or steam. Bakometeb. A low range denotes a change, and in a northerly quarter to be shortly attended by rain ; and in ease the barometer begin to rise, expect wind. When the barometer is ranging about 30 inches, steady weather may be expected from seaward. A high barometer — say above 31 inches, and the land be looming clear and distinct, it is, (as a rule) a sign of a change to the eastward. I have also to remark that for many years I have observed that vevv clear and cloudless nights are iudioations of a chadgo Deing at band, either wind or rain. Fredeeick W. Stdnet, Commander and Surveyor. December 21st, 1863. Sailing Directions pok Waikato River. When noar the Waikato, do not shut in Oruaranghi Point (a point 3 minutes southward of tbe entrance) until tbe fairway beacons are in one,- bearing N.E. by E. £ E easterly (magnetic) ; then proceed over the bar, with them in line. When just over tbe bar. tbe water will deepen 5 or G feet ; keep tbe marks on until a sandy cliff on the South Head is about to shut in, then steer for Putataea. When the Mission House is touching a yellow cliff on the west side of Putataka, see that the small black beacons are still open, to avoid the five-foofc bank to northward of channel. If wishing to bring up to the eastward of Putataka, anchor so as to swing clear of a four feet rock, E- by N., one cable from the point, and tbe shoal water to the northward of the Channel. If a vessel is 150 feet long, she ntust moor, but can lie at single anchor to the JM.W. of the point. The tide is less to the eastward of the point. Iv going out from Putataka, steer down for the mouth of tbe river, keeping tbe black beacons open to aroid the 5-feet bank. Bring tbe Fairway Beacons in line when the Sandy cliff is about to open itself, and proceed across the bar. Keep tbe marks on until Oiuaranghi Point is well open, when you are clear of the breakers at the entrance. The least water on the bar with the Fairway Beacons in line is 12 feet 6 inches, at low water spring tides; but there is 10 feet a short distance to the northward, and 11 feet the same to the southward, so that tho marks should not be opened much. The beacons when in line are in the middle of an easily recognised gully. The eastern beacon is on White shell summit. The western the i-mile S.W. by W.JW. from it on a little mound. The Spits at the entrance appear to have shifted since Captain Drury surveyed the Waikato, as the present fairway jaagnetic bearing differs 4 degrees —or nearty half fi point from the old one. John G. Bottltok, E.N., Master's Assistant and Assistant-Surveyor. — — — — ■» NOTICE TO MARINERS. (From tbe New Zealand Gazette, 27th Ocfc) Rock ovs Long- Look-out, on the Nobtheen side op Bakes' Peninsula, Middle Island, New Zealand. : . ■ The, barque Catherine, from Hobart Town",' when about three-quarters of a mile from the Long Look-out, struck on a sunken reef, injuring the gudgeons of her rudder so as to disable her.: She; was towed into the port of Lyttleton by the. Gazelle. „-;,.■■., ■...-..! - Charles Sharp, Master' Warden Chief Marine Board. Chiefi Marine Board; Office, f ( \ 30th September, 1863. Harbor. Office; Inyercatgill, 24th October; 1803.