Feb. 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 565

Notice to Mariners No. 9 of 1906.

Marine Department,
Wellington, 6th February, 1906.

THE following Notices to Mariners, received from the Hydrographic Office, Washington, D.C., United States of America, are published for general information.

WM. HALL-JONES.

CHINA SEA.

GASPAR STRAIT.—GASPAR ISLAND.—NON-EXISTENCE OF REEF.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 27 (1016) of 1905, the Netherlands Government has given further notice that a careful search in fair weather has been made for the coral reef reported by the master of the American steamer “Mississippi” in (approximately) latitude 2° 19′ S., longitude 107° 8′ E., northern approach to Gaspar Strait, and it has been found that the reef does not exist.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 1500, 854B, 826A, 1170, and 1266. “China Sea Directory,” Vol. i, 1896, page 461.

AUSTRALIA.

SOUTH COAST.—BASS STRAIT.—CAPE EVERARD LIGHT.—INTENDED CHANGE IN SECTOR.—About 1st February, 1906, it is intended to extend the red sector of Cape Everard light, making it visible (approximately) 2½ miles to seaward of Sydenham Inlet.

After this alteration the white light will be visible from N. 84° E. true (E.N.E. ½ E. e’ly mag.) to S. 86° W. true (W.S.W. ¾ W. mag.), illuminating an arc of 178°.

Between these limits and the coast on either side the light will show red.

Approx. position: Lat. 37° 48′ 7″ S., long. 149° 16′ 30″ E.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—No. 1904.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—No. 3169. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 498. “Australia Directory,” Vol. i, 1897, page 545.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

OAHU.—PEARL HARBOUR.—BEACONS ERECTED.—On 8th November, 1905, Inner Channel Range front day beacon, a black triangular structure, apex up, was established on the northern prolongation of the axis of the channel at Pearl Harbour, Oahu Island, as a substitute for the two white single-pile structures which heretofore marked the edges of the channel.

On the same date Inner Channel Range rear day beacon, a black triangular structure, apex down, was established on the northern prolongation of the axis of the channel, as a substitute for the two white single-pile structures which heretofore marked the edges of the channel.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 1216, 1368, 867, and 1800. Pacific Islands, Vol. iii, 1900, page 224. H.O. Publication No. 115, the Hawaiian Islands, &c., 1903, page 113.

SPECIAL NOTICE.—CAUTION.

DEPARTURE OF UNITED STATES DRY DOCK “DEWEY” FOR THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.—On or about 25th December, 1905, the United States dry dock “Dewey,” at present at Solomon’s Island, Chesapeake Bay, will start in tow for the Philippine Islands by way of the Suez Canal.

Mariners are requested, in view of the length and unwieldiness of this tow, to use every precaution in approaching and passing it.

Branch Hydrographic Offices will at once acquaint masters and shipowners with the contents of this notice.

CEYLON.

COLOMBO.—HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.—RANGE LIGHTS AND BUOYS ESTABLISHED.—The Austrian Government has given notice that the commander of the Austrian man-of-war “Kaiser Franz Josef I” furnishes the following information regarding harbour improvements at Colombo, Ceylon:—

The north-west and north-east breakwaters are completed, and the entrance between them is now 700 ft. wide, and has a depth of 34 ft.

Two range lights have been established in the southern part of the harbour, and when in line S. 10° W. true (S. ¾ W. w’ly mag.) lead through the entrance and between the fourth and fifth rows of buoys. The front light, fixed green, is located on the western corner of the patent slip, on the following bearings:—

St. Paul’s Church, north-west corner, N. 81° E. true (E. ¾ N. mag.), distant ½ mile.

South-west breakwater light, N. 13° W. true (N. by W. ¼ W. mag.).

The rear light, fixed red, is about 700 ft. S. 10° W. true (S. ¾ W. w’ly mag.) from the front light.

Two fixed red range lights have been established in the eastern part of the harbour, and when in line S. 61° E. true (S.E. by E. ½ E. mag.) lead through the north-west entrance. The front light is located at the root of the mole of the repairing-basin, which extends in a S. 21° W. true (S. by W. ¾ W. mag.) direction, on the following bearings:—

South-west breakwater light, N. 67° W. true (W.N.W. mag.), distant about 1,266 yards.

South-east corner of school, N. 41° E. true (N.E. ¾ N. n’ly mag.).

The rear light is about 430 ft. S. 61° E. true (S.E. by E. ½ E. mag.) from the front light.

Two additional rows of buoys, extending up to the north-east breakwater, have been moored to the eastward of and parallel to the four original rows, and two parallel rows of buoys have been moored inside and along the north-west breakwater.

It is intended to construct a protective dam in front of the coaling-station, and when the work is begun the four middle rows of buoys will be shifted somewhat to the westward.

The patent slip is completed, but the dry dock and coal-depots are still under construction.

Opposite the north-west entrance is a repairing-basin for small repairs.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 854B and 1591.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 813 and 914. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, Nos. 790A and 790B. “Bay of Bengal Pilot,” 1901, page 73. “West Coast of Hindustan Pilot,” 1898, page 95.

BAY OF BENGAL.

WESTERN SHORE.—MADRAS.—SOUTH BREAKWATER LIGHT.—HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY TO BE ALTERED.—On 1st January, 1905, the height of the fixed red light on the extremity of the southern breakwater at Madras will be altered to 45 ft., and the light will then be visible 8 miles.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 854B and 1592. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 766A. “Bay of Bengal Pilot,” 1901, page 151.

CHINA SEA.

SINGAPORE STRAIT.—CONEY ISLAND.—RAFFLES LIGHT.—INTENDED ALTERATION IN CHARACTER.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 4 (147) of 1904, further information, dated 23rd October, 1905, has been received from the Master Attendant, Singapore, that during the year 1906, probably in July, it is intended to alter the character of Raffles light, Coney Island, from fixed white to group flashing white, showing groups of 3 flashes in quick succession every 10 seconds.

Approx. position: Lat. 1° 10′ N., long. 103° 44′ 30″ E.

Further notice will be given when this alteration has been made.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 797, 1170, 1595, and 1205.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 2757 and 795. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 237. “China Sea Directory,” Vol. i, 1896, page 201.

CHINA.

EAST COAST.—NAMOA ISLAND.—DANGERS TO THE SOUTHWARD.—Information, dated 16th October, 1905, has been received from Commander R. W. Glennie, H.B.M. surveying vessel “Waterwitch,” of the existence of the following dangers to the southward of Namoa Island:—

A rock, with a least depth of 5½ fathoms over it at low water, situated in a position from which the northern point of Flat Island bears S. 64° E. true (S.E. by E. ¾ E. e’ly mag.), distant 1·2 miles, and the centremost of three tall chimneys N. 47° E. true (N.E. ½ E. e’ly mag.).

A rock, with a least depth of 4½ fathoms over it at low water, situated in a position from which the centremost of three tall chimneys bears N. 31° E. true (N.N.E. ¾ E. mag.), distant 1,600 yards, and the centre of Dome Island S. 30° E. true (S.S.E. ¾ E. mag.).

The least depth on Kaipan Rock, situated S. 82° W. true (W. ¾ S. mag.), distant 3½ miles from Three Chimneys, was found to be 2½ fathoms at low water, and not 3 fathoms as shown on the chart.

Approximate position of Three Chimneys: Latitude 23° 23′ 30″ N., longitude 117° 7′ E.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—No. 798.

British Admiralty Charts issued to U.S. Vessels.—Nos. 1968, 1962, and 1957. “China Sea Directory,” Vol. iii, 1904, page 157.

CHINA.

NORTH COAST.—CHIFU HARBOUR.—CHANGE IN CHARACTER AND NAME OF LIGHT.—Referring to Notice to Mariners No. 31 (1217) of 1905, further notice is given that on 18th October, 1905, the character of Chifu light on Kung Tung Tao Island was altered from fixed white to group flashing white, showing 3 white flashes in quick succession every 20 seconds, in all other respects the light remains as before.

In future this light will be known as the Kung Tung Tao light.

Approx. position: Lat. 37° 33′ 40″ N., long. 121° 31′ E.

Hydrographic Office Charts.—Nos. 529, 2156, 1303, 792, 1320, and 2158. H.O. Light List, Vol. ii, No. 128. “China Sea Directory,” Vol. iii, 1904, page 565.