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Appendix No. 4. altogether. In war time an enemy's ship might thus elude observation, and before her presence was
known intercept every vessel passing through the north-east channel."
THURSDAY
ISLAND.
Great Barrier Reefs.
Islands round Thursday Island.
General description of islands.
Description of Normanby Sound.
Passage through Strait and into Normanby
Sound during night or thick weather.
A vessel coming from the westward, after having passed through Prince of Wales, or any other, channel, would have the choice of two routes if proceeding to the southward: (1) the inner route, which lies within the Great Barrier Reefs, along the eastern shore of Australia; (2) the outer route, outside the Great Barrier Reefs. To get outside these reefs the vessel could proceed through two openings the Great North-east Chamel, near the coast of New Guinea, and Raine Island Entrance, 170 miles south and about 100 miles from Cape York. The latter is not, however, recommended, as it is very difficult to navigate.
The Great Barrier Reefs extend south from New Guinea for a distance of about 1,300 miles, as far as Port Curtis, in Queensland, and thus protect about five-sixths of the eastern coast of the Colony. These reefs will be found to have an important bearing on the naval defence of Queensland. Their direction is generally parallel to, but at varying distances from, the coast. At one part, near Cape Melville, they approach within 10 miles of the shore. Besides the Great North-east Channel and Raine Island Entrance above alluded to, there are several openings, which are quite practicable, although seldom used-Cape Melville Entrance, the Lizard Entrance, Trinity Opening (near Cairns), and the Flinders Passage, about 250, 300, 440, and 620 miles respectively south of Cape York. The latter opening is nearly opposite to, and about 70 miles distant from, Townsville, a very rising Settlement in Queensland, which, from being situated close to the sea, is likely to become a very important port. There are no other navigable openings further south until Keppel Bay (Rockhampton) is reached, where there are two wide entrances--the Capricorn and Curtis Channels. Large sailing-vessels do not navigate the inner route, its use being confined to the various steamers which run between Singapore, China, and the east coast of Australia, as well as to the coasting trade of Queensland. As a point bearing upon the defence question, it is necessary to observe that steamers are rapidly taking the place of sailing- ships for the whole of the carrying trade of Australia.
To return to Thursday Island, the islands immediately surrounding it are: Prince of Wales, Friday, and Horn Islands to the south; and Goode, Hammond, and Wednesday Islands to the north. These are the only islands which need be noticed in this Report, as those situated in the northern part of Torres Strait have no connection with the question of defence. They vary much in size. The largest of the group is Prince of Wales Island, which is 11 miles long by 10 miles broad. Horn Island is nearly rectangular, and 15 miles round. Friday Island is 2 miles long by three-quarters of a mile wide. Goode Island is smaller, and on it is placed a signal station, from which all vessels approaching and passing through Prince of Wales Channel from the east and west can be observed. Hammond Island, to the north of Thursday Island, is 34 miles by 2 miles, and very hilly and precipitous. At the north end it is 495 feet high, and from this point there is a commanding all-round view of the whole of Torres Strait. Wednesday Island, of irregular shape, is at the eastern end of Prince of Wales Channel. Thursday Island is high and well wooded; rectangular in shape, 14 miles long by half-a-mile wide.
The general character of all these islands is the same. They are said to be composed of porphyry, syenite, and silicious schists. They are thickly wooded throughout, more or less hilly; many of the hills being very steep and lofty, with intervening valleys ending, in some places, in mangrove swamps, with fine trees which are suitable for piles. There is no great depth of soil, and the surface is generally covered with disintegrated rock, boulders being found here and there. Where the surface has been cleared of trees and scrub, which is very thick and difficult to penetrate in parts, grass grows in tufts, and to a great height during the rainy season-January to March. During this season plenty of good water is to be found on the surface, but the soil does not retain it. There are also numerous permanent springs. It is believed that cattle and sheep might be kept on Prince of Wales Island; also that plantains, cocoa-nuts, and other tropical fruit might be grown if water were stored for irrigation. Natives are only to be found on this island, and their number is supposed to be about 100 to 150 men, women, and children. They subsist on fish and yams. They are not of a warlike nature, and are willing to work during the north-west monsoon, when they cannot fish. The natives from the mainland do not frequent any of the islands.
Normanby Sound is inclosed by Goode and Friday Islands at its western entrance, by Hammond and Prince of Wales Islands in the middle, and terminates at its eastern end in Ellis Channel, which lies between Thursday and Horn Islands. There are several approaches to the Sound. The deepest and widest is from the west, and all vessels drawing over 16 feet enter thereby. Vessels with less draught may enter from the east into Ellis Channel by way of Flinders Passage, and from the north- east through Aplin Pass between Thursday and Hammond Islands. The latter channel is, however, very narrow, and difficult to navigate. The other approaches from the north and south are nothing better than boat-channels, being full of obstructions. The tides through these various channels are strong-from 3 to 6 knots-very irregular and uncertain," often rising higher and running stronger at neaps than at springs. No rule can at present be made applicable to foretell either the time of high- water or the change of stream." The extreme range observed is 11 ft. 6 in. at neap tide; the lowest is 4 ft. 6 in. The anchorage is very extensive and commodious, and it covers a length of 4 miles by a width of 1 mile. The part now used is in Ellis Channel close to Thursday Island, where vessels drawing 21 to 22 feet can be accommodated at low-water spring tides. Ships of greater draught can lie to the east of Friday Island and to the south-east of Goode Island. The prevailing winds are south-east from April to December, and north-west during the rainy season-from January to March. The anchorage, being so well sheltered by the islands, is safe in all weathers and seasons; there is good holding-ground throughout. The only dangers in the deep waters of Normanby Sound are the Ghibber Rock, the reefs off Wai Weir Island, the reef off Thursday Island, the Pinnacle and Hovell Rocks, all of which lie in the course of a ship entering from the westward; but, being well defined by beacons, they are not dangerous, provided the tides are understood.
At the same time, a prudent commander would not pass through Prince of Wales Channel or enter Normanby Sound during night or thick weather. The latter only prevails during the heavy rains of
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