NOTICE TO MARINERS.

THE following Remarks on and Sailing Directions for the Port of New Plymouth, in the Province of Taranaki, are published for general information.

JAMES M. BALFOUR,
Colonial Marine Engineer.

REMARKS ON AND SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE ROADSTEAD AT NEW PLYMOUTH, PROVINCE OF TARANAKI.

Anchorage.

The anchorage now used for vessels of all classes extends along line bearing N. ¾ W. from the flagstaff, behind the boatsheds on the beach, on the slight elevation called Mount Eliot.

Large vessels anchor at from a mile to a mile and a quarter from the shore, in from eight to nine fathoms, keeping the flagstaff bearing S.¾ E. Bottom-sand and rocks.

Mooring capable of holding a vessel of two hundred tons are laid down at about a mile from the shore, and marked by a large buoy. Masters of vessels must not let go their anchors too near the moorings, which are laid down N.E. and S.W., sixty fathoms each way. There is a depth of seven fathoms at low water spring tides at these moorings.

A smaller set of moorings, for sailing vessels of one hundred tons and under, are laid down about a quarter of a mile nearer in shore; in six fathoms at low water spring tides, and marked by a black buoy.

The anchorage for steamers and small craft is fully a quarter of a mile nearer in shore again, and somewhat under half a mile from high water mark. It is marked by a black perch buoy, with an anchor painted white on it. Steamers and small craft can anchor close to this buoy, giving the vessel room to swing clear outside of it. This buoy is in four fathoms at low water spring tides.

Reefs.

A series of reefs, with boulders, fringe the coast for fifteen miles to the eastward of the anchorage, extending three-quarters of a mile off-shore on the average; but the most projecting part, known as Puketapu Reef, which is about seven miles to the eastward of the anchorage, extends fully a mile from the shore.

A reef, covered in places with large detached boulders, lies two cables’ lengths to the westward of the inner anchorage, extending three-quarters of a mile to the westward, and about the same distance to the northward or seaward, from the beach. Its eastern edge lies N.N.W. from the flagstaff, and its northernmost point N.W. by N. from the flagstaff.

N.W. from the flagstaff N.E. by E. from Moturoa.

Care should therefore be taken in leaving the inner anchorage not to bring the flagstaff to eastward of S.S.E. until the outer Sugar Loaf bears W.S.W., when a ship will be well outside this reef.

A reef also extends one-third of a mile off-shore at about two cables’ lengths to the eastward of the inner anchorage; but as this anchorage is only used by steamers and small craft, there is ample room to get under weigh.

Sailing Directions.

A vessel from the Westward bound for the anchorage at New Plymouth should make for the outer Sugar Loaf Island, and when the island bears South distant one mile should steer E.S.E. until the same island bears W.S.W., and keep it in that bearing until the small white flagstaff on the beach (in front of the boatsheds) is in line with the flagstaff on Mount Eliot for immediately behind the boatsheds) bearing S. ½ E. The vessel will then be close to the outer mooring buoy.

A vessel from the Northward, if the wind be favourable, may run for the flagstaff on Mount Eliot, keeping it bearing S.½ E. until the outer Sugar Loaf Island bears W.S.W., which will bring her near to the outer mooring buoy.

If flying to windward from the North or Northeast with fresh winds, a vessel should not approach the shore Eastward of the anchorage nearer than seven fathoms soundings, on account of the coast reefs above described.

Miscellaneous Observations and Dimensions.

The time of high water at the Port of New Plymouth at full and change is 9:30; range of tide from 7 to 12 feet.

The flood tide sets to the westward, with a current running about one knot an hour; but the rate, and even the direction of the current, is much influenced by the winds.

A vessel running for the anchorage with strong S.W. winds should shorten sail in good time, so as to carry no more than is necessary to keep her under command when coming to anchor.

A good buoy rope or chain of sufficient strength to lift the anchor (chain is preferable) should always be attached to the crown of the anchor before letting go.

When the anchor has been let go, cable should be veered without checking to sixty fathoms, in order to lessen risk of dragging.

Vessels trading to this port should be provided with at least two bower anchors and cables.