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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13TH MAY, 1865.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
WALAROO AND TIPARA BAYS.
All bearings are magnetie, variation 4° 30′ E.
Notice is hereby given, that, on and after the (1st) first day of April next (1865), the floating beacou now moored on the Tipara Reef will be replaced by a temporary light-ship, which will be moored close under the rocky patch near the southern extremity of the Tipara Reef, with the following bearings:-Elizabeth Point, S.E. S.; Long Point, N.E. by E. The light-ship has two masts, is painted red, and exhibits during the day a red ball at the mainmast head.
Lights. From sunset to sunrise will be exhibited the following lights-A white light from the mainmast (24) twenty- four feet above the sea-level, visible from all points of the compass at a distance of (7) seven miles in clear weather. A red light from the foremast (12) twelve feet above the sea-level, visible from N. to S., round by W., at a distance of (3) three miles,
in clear weather.
Vessels making the Light from the N.N.W. should not stand towards the northern extremity of the reef, whilst the red light is visible, by observing the direction a ship will be well clear of the reef.
Should the weather be hazy, and the red or less intense light be obscured, no vessel should approach the reef with the white light bearing S.S.E., under (7) seven fathoms.
The following description of the Tipara, and sailing directions for Walaroo or Tipara Bays, are published for the guidance
of Mariners.
Point.
The Tipara Reef is an extensive shoal, the southern extremity being four and a-half (4) miles N.W. from Elizabeth
The reef consists principally of sand, but there is a rocky patch of small extent near the southern extremity which dries at low water; it is under the shelter of this patch where the light-ship, referred to above, will be moored.
From the rocky patch, the reef extends in a northerly direction, about two (2) miles, the outer edge tending to the N.N.W.; whilst the S.E. part takes a N.E. E. direction; the extreme breadth from east to west nearly two (2) miles.
The soundings on the reef vary:-in some places there being a fathom and a-half (1), whilst in others--particularly to the N.N.E. part of the shoal-there are only two (2) or three (3) feet. From the northern extremity of the reef, the buoy off Long Pont, referred to in this notice, bears N.E. by E. ₫ E.
Vessels rounding the south part of the reef should not bring Elizabeth Point to bear to the southward of S.E. by E. ¿E. whilst those intending to pass to the northward of the danger; into or out of Tipara Bay, should not bring the buoy off Long Point to bear to the eastward of E. by N. 4 N.
A red nun buoy has also been placed off Long Point in three (3) fathoms, with the following bearings:- Elizabeth Point, S. E.; Long Point, E. by N. Ñ.
To pass outside or to the westward of the Tipara Reef, do not approach the light-ship from the westward, under six (6) fathoms, or come within a mile of the same; from this position, when to the westward of the reef, steer a N.N.W. course, in which the same soundings will be maintained.
When the buoy of Long Point hears east, a course of N. E. may be shaped, taking care as the Long Point Buoy is brought to bear S. E. not to come under four and a-half (44) fathoms.
When Long Point bears south, a course of E. by N. may be shaped, when the Pilot and Harbor Master will come off, and conduct the vessel to the anchorage or jetty.
At night no vessel in the vicinity of Tipara Reef should come under (7) seven fathoms, or attempt to enter the Bay until the lights from the Smelting Works are clearly defined bearing E. by N., when that course may be shaped for the anchorage; taking care not to come unde six (6) fathoms, unless the commander is sufficiently well acquainted with the Bay to take the ship in, or the pilot has taken charge.
The tides in the vicinity of the reef and Long and Elizabeth Points, are irregular and rapid; care must therefore be exer- cised to guard against the influence of the tides when in the stream of the reef, or near the points referred to.
It is high water at Port Walaroo at 5h. 45m. F. & C.; rise and fall four (4) feet eight (8) inches at ordinary springs. To pass inside Tipara Reef give Elizabeth Point a berth of a mile and a half (14), to avoid the shoal rocky patch which extends nearly a mile from the Point in a north-westerly direction.
With the Point bearing S.E., distant a mile and a-half (1), steer due N., which course will lead through the inner pas- sage in not less than four (4) fathons.
In beating through, keep the lead going, and do not in a vessel drawing more than seventeen (17) feet, when standing in shore, bring Long Point Buoy to bear to the westward of W.N.W.
In standing off, when to the southward of the north end of the reef, do not bring the Long Point Buoy to bear to the eastward of N.N.E., by which the eastern part of the reef will be avoided.
Small vessels may pass inside the Long Point Buoy, taking care not to bring Elizabeth Point to bear to the westward of S. by W., so as to avoid the Walrus Rock. With the above bearing a vessel will be in two (2) fathoms at low water, spring tides, with the Walrus Rock distant above half-a-mile.
The Walrus Rock lies nearly a mile off Long Point, when bearing S.E. by S., and is nearly dry at low water.
N.E. a mile and a-half (14) from Walrus Rock lies the Bird Reef, which is awash at low water.
Coasters should give this danger a wide berth, not bringing the Long Point Buoy to bear to the westward of S.W. With this bearing a vessel will be in two (2) fathoms at low water.
In the bay there is excellent anchorage in four (4) fathoms, with the jetty end bearing E.S.E., distant about two (2) cables' lengths.
Small vessels can anchor in three (3) fathoms, with the end of the jetty bearing S.3.E. to S. Alongside the jetty will be found good berths, from eight (8) to fourteen (14) feet shoaling towards the shore.
B. DOUGLAS, President of the Marine Board of South Australia.
Marine Board Office, Port Adelaide, Feb. 23rd, 1865.
No. 77.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
It is hereby notified that the Right Honorable The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES Is been pleased to confirm CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH, Esquire, in the Office of Registrar General, in the place of THOMAS TURNER, Esquire, deceased.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 9th May, 1865.
W. H. ALEXANDER, Acting Colonial Sventory.