✨ Maritime Sailing Directions
SOUTHLAND
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
GAZETTE.
Published by Authority.
[VOL. I.] SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1862. [No. 14.]
Superintendent’s Office,
Southland, 26 January 1862.
Following Sailing Directions for the entrance of the New River, drawn up by the Chief Surveyor, have been submitted to, and approved of by, several master mariners who have traded along this coast for many years, and are familiar with the ports of Foveaux’s Straits.
J. A. R. Menzies,
Superintendent.
Survey Office, Jan. 16, 1862.
Sir,—I have the honour to append the Negotiation which it appears to me desirable should be made public in this and the neighbouring Colonies. As this is a matter in which the smallest error or omission may be productive of very disastrous consequences, I may perhaps suggest the prudence of requesting the opinion of competent persons upon these Sailing Directions before publishing them.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
T. H. Thompson,
Chief Surveyor.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
Entrance to the New River.
Strangers bound for the New River from the Eastward should haul well off the land until they open the Flagstaff, in order to give time for the Pilot to communicate with them by signal, and to board them outside the bar. If the tide or other circumstances should be unfavourable for a vessel entering, a Blue Peter will be hoisted at the Signal-staff, as a signal for the vessel to keep to sea.
On a Red Flag being hoisted, a vessel should stand in, keeping the Outer Beacon—which will be distinctly visible near the water’s edge on the extremity of the South Head—in one with the Inner Beacon, which is in front of the Pilot’s house, on a small green rise. The bearing of the Beacons is East by South by compass.
The Pilot—who is now provided with good boats and crew, and a suitable increase of assistance—will invariably board with steamers showing the International Flags.
When about a cable’s length from the Outer Beacon, the Channel will show out quite clear, E. ¼ N. by compass, and the vessel can stand up R—keeping not less than a half-cable’s length from the South shore.
The Inner Beacons must then be looked for. The lower one is conspicuous on the beach, a long mile from the Pilot Station. The upper one is amongst the sand hills, about 40 feet above the other. The upper one should be kept a very little open on the South side of the lower one, and on no account be opened in the least to the North of it—until abreast of the small beacon plant noticed.
About midway between the Pilot Station and the Inner beacon, and about a quarter of a mile outside (West) of the Maori Village, a small White Beacon will be seen on the Shore, near the edge of the Beach, marking a Reef which runs out from it, nearly a cable’s length to the North. The extremity of this Reef is also marked by a pile—a stke with a bush on it—D. R. A. J. E., A. F. M.; a vessel may pass this at a half-cable’s length, the Channel being there two [2] cables length wide.
From thence the course is straight for the Bombay Rock. Buoys are now being prepared for the further marking of the Channel: when they are laid down, due notice will be given.
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Southland Provincial Gazette 1862, No 14
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🚂 Approval of Sailing Directions for New River
🚂 Transport & Communications26 January 1862
Sailing Directions, New River, Maritime Navigation, Southland
- J. A. R. Menzies, Superintendent
🚂 Sailing Directions for New River
🚂 Transport & Communications16 January 1862
Maritime Navigation, New River, Sailing Directions, Southland
- T. H. Thompson, Chief Surveyor
🚂 Notice to Mariners for Entrance to New River
🚂 Transport & CommunicationsMaritime Navigation, New River, Sailing Directions, Pilot Signals, Beacons