382. THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 26TH DECEMBER, 1863.
No. 122 of 1863.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.
His Honor the Officer Administering the Government, directs it to be notified for general information that, on and after the 1st March next, à fixed Dioptric Light of the First Order will be exhibited on Isle-aux-Fouquets, a small Islet on the edge on the reef a mile to the North of the Southern entrance of the Port of Mahebourg in the Island of Mauritius.
A detailed description of, and sailing directions for, making this Light, are published below for general information. Colonial Secretary's Office, 4th November, 1863.
MAURITIUS.
EDW. E. RUSHWORTH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
FOUQUE
SAILING DIRECTIONS IN REFERENCE TO THE LIGHT HOUSE ON ISLE AUX FOUQUETS,
GRAND PORT.
1. The Light House is built upon a small Island called Ile aux Fouquets in Latitudo 20° 24′ 20′′ South, and Longitude 57° 45′ 9′′ East. It marks the Southern entrance to Grand Port, and is 880 yards to the E.N.E. of Ile de Passe; there is a small Islet between them.
2. Ile de Passe, which bounds Grand Port entrance to the Northward, is easily known by the Battery and other Buildings thereon; there are times when Rollers entirely block the Pass, although the depth is from 14 to 22 fathoms; but, generally speaking, the Reefs on either hand are perfectly visible from the Foreyard.
3. The Island on which the Light House is built is 3 miles to the Eastward of the nearest Point of the Mainland, and on the very edge of the Coral Reef which skirts this part of the Coast of Mauritius; the Light House (as well as the adjacent Buildings) is white; its ground line is 39 feet above the mean Sea level, and it forms a most conspicuous object which cannot possibly be mistaken.
4. The Light House serves as a guide to Vessels passing Grand Port by day, or by night.
5. The Apparatus is a Dioptric of the First Order, shewing a fixed white light from sunset to sunrise, visible in every direction from Seaward, but dark on the land side. The Light (focal plane) is 1083 feet above the mean Sea level (the rise of tide being 3 feet), and in clear weather can be seen at a distance of 16 nautical miles from the Deck of a Vessel 12 feet above the water.
6. There is a Government Pilot in Mahebourg, who will, in a few months, be stationed at the Light House, and who will board Ships bound to Mahebourg, on their making the usual Signal.
7. Vessels bound to Mahebourg may approach the Light on any bearing from N. by E. to W. by S.; when about 2 miles from it, they should heave to with the head off shore, until the Pilot comes alongside.
8. Should it be desired to get into shelter as soon as possible, approach the Light under easy sail till within about of a mile, in order to avoid a shoal patch of 6 fathor.s off Pointe Laverdie, which is the extreme point of the Coral Reef bounding the South side of the entrance of Grand Port; steer so as to round Ile-de-Passe at the distance of a mile, as a Spit runs out from its South side for about a Cable's length; then haul to the Northward, and anchor in 18 to 20 fathoms; it is, however, not recommended to attempt the foregoing without a Pilot, except in cases of extreme necessity.
9. A Vessel coming from the Southward and bound to Port Louis round the North end of the Island of Mauritius, the usual track, should, after sighting Grand Port Light, steer so as to pass it at a distance of about 4 miles; when, at that dis- tance, the Light bears W. by S., a N. N. E. E. course for 9 miles will, if the weather be clear, bring a Vessel in sight of Flat Island Revolving Light bearing about N. by W. W.; the course can then be shaped as required.
10. A Vessel coming from the Northward having Flat Island Light on a bearing of N. N. W., must be careful after sighting Grand Port Light not to bring it, when at less than eight miles distance, on a more. southerly bearing than S. W. by W. W., or she will be too near the Coast Reef to the Northward of that Light.
11. The Coast Reef to the Eastward of, and bounding, Grand Port, has a bank of irregular soundings extending some distance to seaward; the lead, if carefully attended to, will prove a tolerable guide in very thick weather.
12. The bearings in the foregoing instructions are all MAGNETIC, and will carry a Ship at least 3 miles from the Coast Reef.
13. No Vessel bound into Grand Port ought to approach it at night; she should heave to well to the Southward of the Light, as the drift being to the Northward, she might find herself to Leeward in the morning, and lose much time in work- ing up.
Surveyor General's Office, 3rd November, 1863.
W. L. MORRISON, Captain Royal Engineers, Surveryor General.
No. 137.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
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Tenders will be received at the Surveyor General's Office, on or before the 3rd day of January next, for the construction of the following works:-
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Item 1. A
⚫ Item 2.
Item 3..
Item 4.
new upper line of Road Eastward from the Government Offices to the Gap. The construction of Bridges and Nullah in Belcher's Bay.
The eréction of School Houses at Syingpoon and Sookunpoo.
The construction of a Pier to Praya at Western Street, West Point.
Item 5. Landing steps to Praya, Syingpoon.
Plans and Specifications may be seen upon application at the Surveyor General's Office between the hours of 11 A.M. and 3 P.M.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 9th December, 1863.
W. H. ALEXANDER,
Acting Colonial Secretary.