1898
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 82

Caution.—In consequence of the existence of several steep-to rocks now known in Portier Pass, the possible existence of uncharted rocks, and the strong and varying set of the tides, the utmost caution should be exercised in using this pass, which should not be undertaken unless in case of emergency, and then only by steamers commanding a speed of not less than 8 knots.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 579 and 2689. H.O. Publication No. 96, The Coast of British Columbia, &c., 1891, pages 102, 104, and 105.

(772.) BRITISH COLUMBIA. — GEORGIA STRAIT. — GABRIOLA REEFS.—BEACON ERECTED ON THRASHER ROCK.

A square stone beacon, surmounted by a staff carrying a lattice-work ball 10 ft. in diameter, the whole painted black, and showing 22 ft. above high water, has been erected on Thrasher Rock at the north-eastern extremity of Gabriola Reefs, in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia.

Approx. position: Lat. 49° 9′ 22″ N., long. 123° 38′ 40″ W.

The beacon, which stands on the small portion of the reef that dries, should not be approached nearer than 200 yards, at which distance, when bearing S. 80° W. true (S.W. by W. mag.), there is a depth of 5½ fathoms, deepening rapidly to 11 and 20 fathoms. On both sides of the narrow ledge that ends in Thrasher Rock there are depths of 10 to 14 fathoms. The buoy hitherto marking Gabriola Reefs has been withdrawn.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 579 and 2689. H. O. Publication No. 96, The Coast of British Columbia, &c., 1891, page 107. Pacific Coast Pilot, 1889, page 585.

(774.) AFRICA.—EAST COAST.—DELAGOA BAY.—CAPE INYACK BEACON COMPLETED.

With reference to Notice to Mariners, No. 23 (525) of 1899, further information has been received that the beacon in course of construction on the north point of Inyack Island, intended to form a range with Cape Inyack lighthouse, so as to indicate the axis or middle of the Cockburn Channel, has been completed.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 597, 2089, 648, and 644. Africa Pilot, Part iii., 1897, page 190.

(776.) CHINA. — EAST COAST. — TURNABOUT ISLAND LIGHT ALTERED IN CHARACTER.

Referring to Notice to Mariners, No. 5 (108) of 1899, further information has been received that the character of the light on Turnabout Island has been changed from fixed white to intermittent white every 15 seconds.

All other characteristics of the light remain as before.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 1761 and 1985. China Sea Directory, Vol. iii., 1894, page 209.

(778.) AUSTRALIA. — NORTH COAST. — APPROACH TO DUNDAS STRAITS.—SHOAL REPORTED OFF CAPE CROKER.

The master of the steamer “Chintu” reports that that vessel, drawing 15 ft. of water, grounded on a shoal (apparently sand), with Cape Croker (Croker) bearing S. 20° E. true (S.S.E. mag.), distant about 9 miles. (N.M. 32, 1899.) (Notice to Mariners No. 6, Marine Board Offices, Port Adelaide, 1899.)

Hydrographic Office charts: No. 826a.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 1044 and 1042. Australia Directory, Vol. iii., 1895, page 409.

(799.) AFRICA. — EAST COAST. — DELAGOA BAY. — GENERAL INFORMATION.

Captain P. H. Cooper, U.S. navy, commanding the U.S.S. “Chicago,” makes the following report concerning the harbour of Delagoa Bay, South Africa:—

There appears to be about a fathom more water in the channel than is shown on the charts. Vessels drawing 23 ft. may go in the harbour; but if not at the highest spring rise they will drag.

Hope Shoal Buoy is established on the extreme south-east end of Hope Shoal, and should be passed to the southward.

Lech Reef Buoy, formerly moored off the southern edge of Lech Reef, with Cape Inyack lighthouse bearing S. 68° E. true (S.E. mag.), distant 10 miles, is no longer there.

Gibbou Point Beacon, a white beacon visible 10 miles, and resembling a lighthouse, has fallen, and only the base is visible.

Black Bluff.—The large tower marked to the southward of Black Bluff, Inyack Island, has disappeared.

Cape Inyack Beacon.—The large white pyramid beacon referred to in Notice to Mariners, No. 23 (525) of 1899, and No. 32 (774) of 1899, has been placed N. 38° 30′ W. true (N. by W. ⅜ W. mag.), distant 1,203 yards, from Cape Inyack lighthouse.

Reuben Point Range should be kept well open, or a vessel should pass well to the southward of the exact range to get the best water. Cape Inyack beacon in line with Cape Inyack lighthouse leads into and through Cockburn Channel. The south-east commencement of this channel is well marked by the east end of Elephant Island and the high black bluff on the west side of Inyack Island coming in range. As this is known by opening or shutting out water between them, it is very marked.

Cockburn Channel is the best channel, and should be used. Though a North Channel is given, no vessel uses it, and it is reported as dangerous. Some vessels going out to the northward use the channel to the south of Hope Shoal buoy.

Tides.—Vessels are set to the south side of Cockburn Channel toward the reef by the flood-tide; they are set to the northward by the ebb. Allowance should be made of at least half point to counteract this set.

Signal Station is located at Reuben Point lighthouse, on a pole to the westward of the bluff. There is no fog-signal.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 597, 2089, 648, and 644. Africa Pilot, Part iii., 1897, pages 190, 192, 193, 194, and 195.

(802.) AUSTRALIA.—SOUTH COAST.—KING GEORGE SOUND.—ROCK DISCOVERED.—BUOY.

The Government of Western Australia has given notice, dated 30th May, 1899, of the existence of a newly discovered patch of foul ground westward of Michaelmas Reefs, King George Sound.

The least depth on this patch is 21 ft., rock, situated with centre of Gull Rock bearing N. 7° E. true (N. by E. mag.), distant 3,050 yards, and King Point lighthouse N. 80° W. true (W. by N. ¼ N. mag.).

Approx. position: Lat. 35° 3′ 0″ S., long. 117° 59′ 50″ E.

A buoy, painted red, and surmounted by a staff and cage, has been moored 300 yards westward of the rock.

Mariners should give both this buoy and that marking the Michaelmas Reefs a wide berth in passing.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 2759b, 1034, and 2619. Australia Directory, Vol. i., 1897, page 85.

(817.) BRITISH COLUMBIA.—VANCOUVER ISLAND.—SOUTH-EAST COAST.—SATELLITE CHANNEL.—BEACON ON SHUTE REEF.—TRINCOMALI CHANNEL.—BEACON ON ATKINS REEF.

A stone beacon, surmounted by a staff carrying a lattice-work ball 8 ft. in diameter, and showing 18 ft. above high water, has been erected on Shute Reef, Satellite Channel, off the south-east coast of Vancouver Island.

The highest part of Shute Reef on which the beacon stands dries 8 ft. at low water. The beacon may be approached within 200 yards.

Approx. position: Lat. 48° 42′ 48″ N., long. 123° 26′ 9″ W.

Trincomali Channel.—A stone beacon, surmounted by a staff carrying a lattice-work ball 6 ft. in diameter, the whole painted black, and showing 9 ft. above high water, has been erected on Atkins Reef, Trincomali Channel, in the same waters.

The reef is about 200 yards in extent, and dries 5 ft. at low water. There is deep water close to the beacon on the north and south sides.

Approx. position: Lat. 48° 53′ N., long. 123° 28′ W.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 2689, 2840, and 579. H. O. Publication No. 96, The Coast of British Columbia, &c., 1891, pages 91 and 102.

(818.) BRITISH COLUMBIA.—VANCOUVER ISLAND.—HARO STRAIT.—SHOALS REPORTED OFF LOW AND SIDNEY ISLANDS, MINERS CHANNEL.

Captain John T. Waldran, commanding the Dominion Government steamer “Quadra,” reports the existence of two uncharted shoals off Low Island, between it and Sidney Island, Miners Channel, off the south-east coast of Vancouver Island.

(1.) The more westerly shoal extends in a northward and westward and southward and eastward direction about 350 ft.; the shoalest spot, carrying 8 ft. of water, lies 275 yards distant to the southward of the shore of Low Island, with 4 fathoms between it and the island. From the shoalest spot the west end of the island is in one with the gap between Gooch Island and the rock that ends in Tom Point, and the east end of Low Island is in one with Spieden Bluff.

(2.) The more easterly shoal, carrying 3½ fathoms, lies 250 yards S. 16° E. true (S.E. ½ S. mag.) from the eastern extremity of Low Island. It is of small extent, and has deep water close around.

(3.) Kelp extends in a south-easterly direction a distance of 200 yards from the south end of Low Island, there being a depth of 3 fathoms at the limit of the kelp, deepening rapidly to 10 and 12 fathoms.

(4.) There is a small islet close southward of Bare Island, with a rock just showing at low water south of the islet.

British Admiralty charts (issued to U.S. vessels): Nos. 2840 and 2689. H.O. Publication No. 96, The Coast of British Columbia, &c., 1891, page 87.