General Directions.

All masters of vessels are requested to have the lead constantly going when crossing the bar, or on passing through the channels at the entrance of the harbour, in order that any change in the soundings may be noted; any such change must be reported to the Harbour Master as soon as practicable.

Signals.

When vessels are seen approaching or leaving the harbour, the following signals will be hoisted at the Signal Station for their guidance; and the master of every vessel entering or leaving the harbour is requested to answer the signals by hoisting and dipping the ensign where best seen at the Signal Station, South Head.

No. 1.—One ball at the masthead denotes "ebb tide."

No. 2.—Two balls up and down the mast denotes "Flood tide has made."

No. 3.—Two balls up and mast and semaphore arms pointed up, denotes "Wait for high water."

No. 4.—Two balls up and down at south yardarm and one at north yardarm denotes "Take south channel."

No. 5.—Two balls up and down at each yardarm denotes "South channel unsafe."

No. 6.—When the signals are intended for a vessel inside the Heads a red sign will be shown as in figure annexed, "take south channel."

No. 7.—Signal annexed denotes "South channel unsafe, come to an anchor at the Huia."

No. 8.—One ball at north yardarm, and south semaphore arm pointed up with red sign above denotes "No wind about the Heads."

No. 9.—Two balls up and down at north yardarm and red sign as in figure annexed denotes "Remain at anchor."

No. 10.—When it happens that the wind is considered too light or baffling for a sailing vessel, outward bound, the signal as shown in figure annexed will denote "Come to an anchor at the Huia."

No. 11.—Signal as shown in figure annexed denotes "A vessel on shore at the Heads."

No. 12.—When a vessel is on shore outside the Heads the red sign will be omitted and the signal shown as in figure annexed.

No. 13.—One ball at each yardarm denotes "Take the main channel."

No. 14.—One ball at masthead and one at each yardarm denotes "Main channel unsafe."

No. 15.—When a signal is made as shown in figure annexed it will denote "Both channels are breaking."

Note.—When the main channel signals are intended for a vessel inside the harbour the red sign will be used at the middle of the yard (as shown in signals for the southern channel).

Telegraphic Directions.

When more than one vessel is entering or leaving the harbour at the same time particular attention should be paid to the telegraph arms, and observe the following signs for their guidance:—Steering in the direction shown by the pointing of the Telegraph Arm, the dropping of which will denote "To steady the helm, and keep the vessel in that direction until the Telegraph Arm is again pointed."

No. 16.—When only one vessel is in sight in the offing or about the channel, the plain arm will be used as shown in figure annexed; but in case there be more vessels the plain arm will be shown for the vessel nearest South Head.

No. 17.—When two vessels are entering or leaving by the southern channel the annexed sign will be for the vessel furthest to seaward.

Main Channel.

No. 18.—When the telegraph signs are made for a vessel about the main channel, the second distinguishing pendant will be hoisted at the signal-mast head; but, should more than one vessel be about the channel at the same time, the telegraphic sign annexed will be for the vessel nearest the bar.

No. 19.—For a vessel in the vicinity of the Orwell Shoal, when more than one vessel is about the main channel.

No. 20.—For a vessel to come to an anchor, in case of the wind falling light or otherwise, being set near the shoals.

Note 2nd.—The following telegraphic signs will be, as a general rule, for the southern channel; but, in cases when they are required for the main channel, the second distinguishing pendant will be hoisted at the signal-mast head, as before shown.

No. 21.—Send a boat on shore.

No. 22.—Will send a pilot.

No. 23.—Come to an anchor.

No. 24.—Keep the vessel more off shore.

Note 3rd.—Any further telegraphic communications (when sufficiently near) will be made by means of the New Commercial Code of Signals or that of Marryat’s.

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

General Post Office, Wellington, 17th September, 1866.

The following remarks respecting the entrance to Manukau Harbour are published for general information.

John Hall, Postmaster-General.

Remarks on Manukau Harbour, by Thomas Wright, Harbour Master.

Subsequently to Captain Sidney’s survey of the entrance of the Manukau, and to his Report in 1863, the following changes and improvements, hereby notified for general information, have been made.