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The channel then gradually bends
to the northward until past the Bombay
Rock.

The Pilot Station is situated between
the leading beacons, and except in heavy
gales, a pilot will board the vessel abreast
of the station; but, should the wind and
sea be too strong for him to put off, the
shipmaster, by attending to the following
directions, may be able himself to conduct his vessel to a place of safety:

The Channel is marked by white buoys
on the starboard or south side, and by
black buoys on the port or north side.
Keep midway between the black and
white buoys.

About three cables’ length below the
Bombay Rock lies a small rock called the
“Guiding Star Rock,” with only four feet
water over it. A white buoy has been
placed on the west side of this rock, in
twelve feet water. The Sand Spit on the
opposite side of the Channel, has been
advancing into it during the last six
months, and at present the breadth of
the passage between the Spit and the
rock is so narrow, that it would not be
prudent for a stranger to run through.

It would be safer to anchor abreast of
the second black buoy, above the Pilot
Station, where a vessel with good ground
tackle could ride in comparative safety.

The leading mark to pass midway
between the rock and the Spit is:—Keep
the high hummock on the extreme end
of Sandy Point a sail’s breadth open to
the eastward of the iron white beacon on
Bombay Rock, bearing N. E. ¼ N. When
abreast of the white buoy, keep off a
little, so as not to 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 mid-
channel, five fathoms—good holding
ground.

It is high-water full and change at the
Pilot Station at 12h. 30 m., and the rise
of tide from six to eleven feet, according
to the winds and state of the tides;
westerly winds setting the tides up.

A Flag-staff has been erected on Steep
Head, on which will be hoisted, on and
after the 15th August, 1863, tidal signals
nearly the same as shown at Lonsdale
Point, Port Phillip, 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 the 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 harbour, 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 yard-
arm.

Marryatt’s signals, at the north yard-
arm, will be intended for the pilots at the
station.

Masters of vessels should not run for
the harbour 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,
Harbour Master.

Printed under the Authority of the Government of the Province of Wellington, by Thomas McKenzie
and James Munro, Printers for the same being for such Government