85

State for the Colonies, are hereby made public for the general information of Mariners, viz.—

The Lighthouse on Cape Otway in Bass’s Strait is situate in latitude 38d. 51m. south, and in longitude 143d. 29m. east. The light revolves showing a bright flash once in every minute, and burns at the height of 300 feet above the level of high water, and may be seen by estimation at the distance of eight leagues.

Mariners are requested to observe that the Reef off Cape Otway lies about one-half or three-quarters of a mile therefrom, in a S.E. to S.S.W. direction, and extends one and a quarter miles to the westward.

By order,

J. Harkness,
Secretary.

ADDITIONAL LIGHTHOUSE AT THE ENTRANCE TO PORT PHILLIP.

The second Lighthouse at Shortland’s Bluff being now nearly completed, Mariners are requested to take notice that on and after the first day of January next, a Fixed Hod Light will be exhibited thereon from sunset to sunrise.

The leading Lighthouse Tower is built of wood, painted white, and stands at an elevation of eighty (80) feet above the level of the water, bearing from the centre of the upper Lighthouse on Shortland’s Bluff south 33 degrees west, distant six hundred and seventy (670) feet.

The leading light will be seen in ordinary weather ten (10) miles to seaward, within the bearings of south one-quarter west round (westerly) to south-west one quarter west.

The two Lighthouses by day, and Lights by night, kept in one line of bearing, lead in mid-channel between Points Lonsdale and Nepean; but strangers are cautioned not to attempt the entrance by night, nor against the strength of the ebb tide by day.

BEACON ON SWAN POINT.

Mariners are requested to take notice that a cone-shaped Iron Beacon, painted white, elevated fifty (50) feet above the level of the water, has been erected on Swan Point, bearing from the low lighthouse on Shortland’s Bluff north forty-one (41) degrees east. This beacon, kept open to the eastward of the low lighthouse, leads in clear of Point Lonsdale Reef, and the flagstaff on Shortland’s Bluff kept half a cable’s length open to the westward of the low lighthouse leads in clear of the Corsair Rock, and the other sunken dangers lying off Point Nepean; but in all practicable cases, Mariners waiting the turn of tide, entering or leaving the harbour are recommended to keep the Point Lonsdale shore aboard, as the tide there runs fairer, and in bad weather small vessels incur less risk on the Point Lonsdale shore from the tide ripples than towards Point Nepean.

No alteration has taken place in the Upper Lighthouse on Shortland’s Bluff, which is as heretofore a bright stationary light, one hundred and nine (109) feet above the level of the water, seen in ordinary weather twenty (20) miles to seaward, within the bearings of south round by west to south-west by west.

The bearings are by compass, and heights at mean high water.

FLOATING LIGHTSHIP, HOBSON’S BAY.

A Floating Light is established at the north end of the West Channel leading into Port Phillip Bay, in the same position as that hitherto occupied by the North Fairway Buoy, which is now removed.

The Lightship is painted Red, and exhibits, between sunset and sunrise, two (2) bright lights, twenty-four (24) feet apart, and fifty (50) feet above the level of the water.

These Lights may be seen from all parts of the horizon within the distance of nine (9) miles in clear weather.

Vessels approaching the Lightship by night or by day, are warned to be cautious in avoiding collision.

The Lightship is moored in four (4) fathoms at low water, with the following magnetic bearings:—

Extreme point of Indented Head N.W. ¼ N.
Summit of Arthur’s Seat, S.E. ¼ E.
Extremity of Point Nepean S.S.W. ¼ W.

ANONYMA ROCK, IN PORT PHILLIP BAY.

Commanders of vessels working up the east side of Port Phillip Bay are requested to take notice that a Chequered Buoy has been placed upon the Eight Foot Rock off the Red Bluff, which has been ascertained to lie nearly two (2) miles closer inshore than the position assigned to it in the charts. Commanders are recommended to notice the following bearings, and lay the rock’s position down on their charts.

Magnetic Position of the Anonyma Rock.

Lighthouse, Gellibrand’s Point, N.W. ¾ N.
Centre of the Red Bluff, E. by S.
A small white cliff, some distance north of the Red Buff, N.E. ¼ E.

The Anonyma Rock lies a mile off shore, the least water on it being eight (8) feet at low tide, with five (5) fathoms immediately outside, and a clear passage half a mile on the inside of it with three (3) and four (4) fathoms, sandy bottom.

CORSAIR ROCK.

A dangerous Rock, with only eleven (11) feet of water over it at low tide, has recently been discovered nearly three-quarters of a mile west of Point Nepean. It is not laid down in any of the charts of this Port. Commanders of vessels navigating between the Heads are requested to observe the following marks in order to avoid the said Rock (which will hereafter be known as the “Corsair Rock”) and are recommended to lay down its position on their charts as given underneath.

Magnetic Position of the centre of the Corsair Rock.

Upper Lighthouse on Shortland’s Bluff, N. 21 E.
Middle of the Rocky Islet off Point Nepean, N. 87 E.
Tidal Flagstaff on Point Lonsdale, N. 76 W.

The above rock is about twenty (20) feet in diameter, and the least water found over it at low tide is eleven (11) feet, with three (3), four (4), and five (5) fathoms water all round.

There is a clear passage between the Corsair Rock and the extreme end of Nepean Reef, of about a cable’s length, with three (3), four (4), and five (5) fathoms of water; but no vessel should ever attempt it, as the tide, both ebb and flood, sets with great force on Nepean Reef.

Marks to clear the Corsair Rock.

In working out between the Heads, keep the flagstaff on Observatory Point open half a cable’s length with the lowest part of Nepean Point until Shortland’s Bluff flagstaff is half a cable’s length open to the westward of the low lighthouse; which latter mark must be kept on until you open out Nepean Rock to the eastward of that point, when you are out clear of the rock and Nepean Reef.

In working in between the Heads, keep Shortland’s Bluff flagstaff half a cable’s length open to the westward of the low lighthouse until you have the flagstaff on Observatory Point half a cable’s length open to the lowest part of Point Nepean, which will lead you clear of the Corsair Rock; but to clear Nepean Reef, which lies a cable’s length inside the rock, do not shut in the low lighthouse with Shortland’s Bluff flagstaff until you open out the Nepean Rock to the westward of that point, when you are in clear of the reef.

NOTICE TO COMMANDERS OF VESSELS IN HOBSON’S BAY.

Commanders of vessels are requested to take notice that for the purpose of enabling them to rate their chronometers, a Time Ball, painted black, will be dropped daily (Sundays excepted), from the top of the flagstaff at Gellibrand’s Point, at the instant of 1 o’clock mean solar time, there corresponding to 15h. 20m. 19s. Greenwich time.

As a preparatory signal, a blue pennant will be hoisted at the mast-head at half-past twelve, and hauled down at ten minutes to one o’clock, when the Ball will be dropped.