SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANUKAU HARBOUR.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 43, 15 February 1864, Page 7

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANUKAU HARBOUR.

0 Just Completed by Commakdeb P. W. , Sidney, R.N. Tn consequence.of the changes that have taken place in the approaches to the Manukau 'Harbor fas so deplorably .manifpsted by the loss of H .M.S'. Orpheus), the Ailßiraltv determined to have a new survey made, and directed Captain Sidney, RN., to suspend- for a: time the survey of the coast of New South^Wflles, unon whieh he waß engaged, and proceed to New Zealand to re-survey and draw up fresh sailing directions for tbe navigft tion of the channels leading to the Manukau; - (Thia following remarks arid directions result from the re-cxamination of that looality i-~ The entrance to the main channel appears to hnro shifted both to tho northward .bs to gaaward, tke W flow fee'ug faa.l*? ra -m'Jlo tbowto the westmra than ati the tiweof Oaptnia Drug's sufve? in 1853/ ... is also wider, the 8-feet: bank that separated what waa called the North Channel from the main, having nbxv disappeared, if it ever existed. "A^ahip, -by attention to the lead, may now work either in or out. - YPhe leading mark used at present is the Nine Pin rook, in line with the tangent, of tho inne? point of the South Eead.i as nhown inthe skefcah | but as there is tlio same depth; via.-^SiJ- fathotns a Httla th the novthv ard, and the hanks hnvlne a tftndeno^tfi extend th9tfieelv*Mi yet mm-d in that direction, tt wciuld be better to hVia** tho Nine "Pin *Koek in line oifchw with the objeeis marked Bob 0 On the sketch and plims fbr cMsginir ths bni», Anev crossing the hns? ft ekrtee at the fttett will be sufficient to keep the channel. '* Tha South Channel stems hitherto to ha-vft been vory-iraperfrolly known, and ita -merits underrated j but now that buoys have been plaoed, its approach drid navigation is rendered easy, and the depth of Water beins? the samdßS- that on tho ban of the wnin ehannel, and aooesaibla at times whon the; lat*er is cjanßerous, it is tntich to be proferred. ■T'o ninlto thft South Channel from seaward, keep the signal sh\ff of Paratutftl in line with the White; Pile recently erected on the inner slope of ths neak oallod Pukehuuhu on the chart (properly Pnkehoho), Ni^W. This mark lends midway between the shoals off the South Head andthe: Heron Spit } and when the gap inside Poropbro (now almost an islet) and the Two Trees, to the. right of the wooded range, come in linA, steer for it up to the outer jpairway Bnoy, the crossing mark for whioh is the Nino Pin rook and Parera Island in U-e. fhe outer Fair-way Buoy is red,: with black vertical stripes, having; a bell within a oiroular cage on tbp. Lftavo this buoy, or the spot indicated by the marks, on the left hand half of a cable, steering I^- point more td the east for nearly four cobles' . length, when the inner Fairway Buoy will*be reached. This buoy is similar- to the outer one* in every respect, leaving this also on the left ; hand half a cable's length, two buoys will be seen in advance to the northward — a-; black one on the left indicating the positioh of the Trarimere Shofll (to the westward), and a red one on the right, l£ cable apart — pass midway between them steering parallel with the shore, pasning the Soit Buoy (red) on the right, and the buoy at the tail of the Emma Bank (half black and white top) on the left, into the deep water ehannel. ■ * - '■ Ifc is recommended that Pukehoho be chosen as tlie site for the contemplated telegraph station • the signals to be made by two pairs of semaphore arms — one pair above the other; 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 shaded against the sky, or with the land behind — the arms working at right angles to a line midway between the main and south channels. The stump of the mast or a beacon should be on Parafcutai for the South Channel entrance mark. The following remarks are by Mr. Wing, pilot ancl harbour-master, made during an experience of over a quartrr of a century : — High water at the entrance of the Manukau afc fnll and change of moon at 9h. 30m. The range at spi ings, 13 feet ; neaps, Bfe -t. The flood comes from tbe northward, setting along the shore from one to two knots, but when coming in contact wifch the banks about the bar, ifc trends into the channels, increasing its rate fco four or five knots as' it approaches the Heads. Care should be taken to guard against; the crosstides about the spits and swatchways. The prevailing winds are from N.W. to S.W,, and ifc seldom blows a gale from fche southward— the wind moderating as it draws from S.W. to southward. Easterly gales are nofc frequent, and generally shift suddenly to the westward, in a violent squall and very heavy rain. The gales rarely continue long in one quarter, and a strong breeze from N.W. or even W.S.Wr (as a rule) does nofc cause a heavy sea in the south channel, which can be taken wifch safety towards high water. The Bar, with such winds, generally speaking, breaks, and sometimes dangerously, towards low water ; but in case the gale gets to the SW., the sea will break right across both channels bufc 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 and night, when by tbe morning ifc becomes moderate, an i the south channel free of break (even though there he considerable swell outside and the banks breaking heavily), and safe to enter at proper time of tide, say afc half flood, or even at firsfc quarter ebb, with a commanding breeze or steam. Babojieter. 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. 1 have also to remark that for many years I have observed that verv clear aud cloudless nights are indications of a chadge oeing at hand, either wind or rain. Frederick W. Stdney, Commander and Surveyor. December 21st, 1863. Saimj-tg* Directions eor Watkato Eiver. When near the Waikafco, do nofc shut in Oruaranghi Point (a point 3 minutes southward of the entrance) until the fairway beacons are in one, bearing N.E. by E. i E easterly (magnetic)then proceed over the bar, wifch them in line. When just over tbe bar. the water will deepen 5 or 6 feet ; keep the marks on until a sandy cliff on the South Head is about to shut in, then steer for Pufcataea. When the Mission House is touching a yellow cliff on the west side of Putataka, see thatthe small black beacons are still open, to avoid tbe five-foot 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 fche point, and the shoal water to the northward bf the Channel. If a vessel is 150 feet long, she must moor, but can lie afc single anchor to the K.W- of the point. The tide is less to the eastward of.the point. In going out from Putataka, steer down for the mouth of tbe river, keeping the black .beacons open to avoid the 5-feefc bank. Bring the Fairway Beacons in line when the Sandy cliff is abCut to open itself, and proceed across the bar. Keep the marks on until Oruaranghi Point is well open, when you are clear of the breakers at the entrance. The least water on the bar withthe Fairway Beacons in jine is 12 feet 6 inches, at low water spring tides ; bufc there is 10 feet a short distance to the northward, and 11 feet the same to the southward, so that the 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 J-mile S.W. by ' W.J-W. from it on a little mound. The Spits afc the entrance appear to have shifted since Captain Drury surveyed the Waikato, as the present fairway jaagnetic bearing differs i degrees. . or nearty half a point from tbe old one. John G-. BouiTox, R.N.*, Master's Assistant and Assistant-Surveyor. ... . * I