✨ Sailing Directions and Tidal Signals
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shave the point of the Spit too close; a N. by E. half E. course will then lead you through between the Bombay Rock, and the black buoy on the opposite side of the channel.
On the West side of the Bombay Rock is placed an iron beacon, surmounted by a barrel painted white. The top of the beacon is fifteen feet above low-water mark, and the rock projects from the beacon twenty feet W.N.W. into the channel; immediately beyond there is eighteen feet water. The course from abreast of this beacon to the second white buoy, as you proceed upwards, is N.E. by N., and from thence to the third white buoy N.E., but allowance must be made for the set of the tide, which runs through the blind channel and strikes across the ship channel; between the Bombay Rock and the first white buoy above it.
The flood setting east, the ebb west.
The best anchorage for a stranger to take is abreast of the third white buoy from the Bombay Rock, letting go the anchors nearest to the S.W. side, as it is pretty steep, too. The depth of water near the shore is three, and, in midchannel, five fathoms—good holding ground.
It is high-water, full and change at the Pilot Station at 12h. 30., and the rise of tide from six to eleven feet, according to the winds and state of the tides, westerly winds getting the tides up.
A flag-staff has been erected on Step Head, on which will be hoisted, on and after the 15th August, 1863, tidal signals, nearly the same as shown at Lonsdale Point, Port Philip, viz.:—
BETWEEN SUNRISE AND SUNSET.
During the first quarter flood, a blue flag half-mast high.
During the second quarter flood, a blue flag at the mast-head.
During the third quarter flood, No. 7, Marryatt’s, half-mast-high.
During the last quarter flood, No. 7, Marryatt’s, at the mast-head.
EBB TIDE.
During first quarter, a blue flag half-mast high, with a ball underneath.
During second quarter, a blue flag at mast head, with a ball underneath.
During third quarter, No. 7, Marryatt’s, half-mast high, with a ball underneath.
Last quarter, No. 7, Marryatt’s, at the mast-head, with a ball underneath.
When the sea is high on the bar, a black ball will be hoisted at the north yardarm, in addition to the tidal signals; but, when it is unfit for a vessel to enter the harbor, the tidal signals will not be shown, but two black balls will be hoisted at the North yardarm.
Communication may be had with vessels at sea, by means of Marryatt’s signals, at the south yardarm.
Marryatt’s signals, at the north yardarm, will be intended for the pilots at the station.
Masters of vessels should not run for the harbor during the ebb tide, unless with a good commanding breeze, smooth water, and with a vessel easily steered.
The bearings and courses given are by compass, and the soundings at low-water spring tides.
J. B. GREIG,
Harbor Master.
Printed by H. L. JARVIS, for the Hawke’s Bay Provincial Government, at the Printing Office,
Hastings-street.
Hawke's Bay Provincial Gazette 1863, No 17
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Sailing Directions for Entering the Port of Invercargill
(continued from previous page)
🚂 Transport & CommunicationsSailing directions, Port of Invercargill, navigation, buoys, beacons, tidal signals, Marryatt’s signals
- J. B. Greig, Harbor Master