1008 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23RD DECEMBER, 1882.
Vessels from Sunda strait and the northward approaching Fremantle on the parallel of Rottnest island, and also those from Adelaide bound to India round Cape Leeuwin (meeting winds north of west), must frequently pass near the position assigned to Beaver Reef." If strong winds between north and west prevail (opposing the Polar current) topping seas resembling breakers will be encountered in the neighbourhood of that reported danger.
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NON-EXISTENCE.-The result, however, of the various researches (under direction of different officers) of five, two, five, two, and eleven days duration respectively, appears to be exhaustive, and to afford assurance of the non-existence of any bank or shoal in the vicinity of the alleged "Beaver Reef."
J. E. COGHLAN, Staff Commander and Admiralty Surveyor.
"
Meda," off Rottnest Island, 21st October, 1882.
No. 1293.-C.S.O.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Perth, 24th October, 1882,
His Excellency the Governor directs the publication of the following information furnished by Staff Commander J. E. Coghlan, R.N., Admiralty Surveyor, relating to Sharks Bay-Gascoyne River.
By His Excellency's Command,
GIFFORD, Colonial Secretary.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
Hydrographic Notice.
AUSTRALIA DIRECTORY, VOL. 1II.
Sharks Bay--Gascoyne River. NOTICE No. 3.
THE following information relating to portions of Sharks bay, West Coast of Australia, is by Staff Commader J. E. Coghlan, R.N., in charge of Joint Admiralty and Colonial Marine Survey of Western Australia, 1882.
[All bearings are Magnetic. Variation, South Passage 1° 30′ W., and Goscoyne River 1° 0′ Westerly in 1882.] EPINAUX or FALSE ENTRANCE* is an inlet situated about 12 miles southward of South passage, and both openings taking a south-east direction with entrance points similar in appearance, the former is liable to be mistaken for the latter when approaching from the southward.
SOUTH PASSAGE is a channel leading southward of Dirk Hartog island into Sharks bay. Its western entrance between Steep and Surf points is obstructed by a narrow rocky bar (Outer bar), concave in shape, and steep-to on its sea- ward side, with depths of 2 and 4 fathoms water over it. The Outer bar was, until the recent examination, believed to have not less than 6 fathoms over it, the passage being recommended as a port of refuge for which a vessel might run in confi- dence and safety, during a south-west gale, if caught upon a lee shore off Dirk Hartog island. South passage should not be attempted except by vessels possessing local knowledge, and of not more than 12 feet draught.
Within the Outer bar the channel with four and five fathoms water takes a south-east direction for 24 miles to abreast of cape Ransonnet (south extreme of Dirk Hartog island). Thence it trends successively E.N.E., N.N.E., and N. by W., maintaining the same depths and affording anchorage throughout for about five miles until meeting the Inner bar.
LANDMARKS.-Steep point, the south entrance point of the passage, is a bold cliffy projection with a cairn of stones erected upon it, 10 feet high and 115 feet above high water, usefil in distinguishing South passage from False en- trance. Monkey rock, a small conspicuous bare islet, 11 feet above high water, lies about 2 cables eastward of Steep point, with sunken dangers surrounding it to the distance of 2 cables. Surf point, the north entrance point, is a narrow cliffy peninsula about 70 feet high, with two small rocky islets lying close-to, and sandy coast on either side of it. The south extreme of some hills on Dirk Hartog island (Herald heights) with a bare white summit about 350 feet high, lies about three-quarters of a mile westward of Surf point. At three-quarters of a mile eastward of the point there rises a bare sand hill about 200 feet high, with a well of fresh water at its western base. Surf point lies N.E. distant 13 miles from the cairn on Steep point. Ransonnet rocks, small, bare, and conspicuous, about 7 feet above high water, lie about 2 cables south-east of cape Ransonnet.
DANGERS.-Outer bar is the submarine continuation of Surf point. Ledges which uncover at low water and sunken dangers extend nearly a mile in a southerly direction from Surf point, and (except with off-shore winds) usually in- dicate themselves by the surf beating upon them. Thence the narrow rocky projection, becoming more submerged, curves to the eastward and joins Monkey rock, with depths of 2 and fathoms upon, and 7 and 10 fathoms close seaward of the ledge.
South sand, with depths of 1 to 6 feet over it and deeper water inshore, extends in an E.N.E. direction from Ran- sonnet rocks, and thence trending more northerly terminates in a tongue forming the south side of Inner bar.
North sand, with depths of 4 and 6 feet over it, lies 4 cables northward of South sand, with depths of 12 to 17 feet between them. Both North and South sands are distinguished (August, 1882) by streaks of dark seaweed growing upon
them.
East sand extends nearly 2 miles from the western shore of the Bellefin prong peninsula, with depths of 1 fathom and less water over it. Between the South and East sands there is a navigable channel with 4 and 5 fathoms water.
Inner bar lies between the North and South sands and has depths of 12 and 17 feet water, over a bottom of coarse sand and shells. A gut with 22 and 24 feet water passes close westward of North sand and Inner bar and becomes absorbed in the South sand.
DIRECTIONS.-South passage cannot be taken in safety by vessels of more than 12 feet draught. No specific directions can be given for entering it, but should a vessel without local knowledge be compelled by circumstances to take the passage, she must be guided by the eye between the breakers when crossing the Outer bar, and thence the lead will prove of service if carefully attended to. As a general guide, open out the passage by bringing a point on the south shore (with a small islet close-to) opposite cape Ransonnet well open of Monkey rock bearing S.E., and steer to pass 3 cables east-
See Admiralty Charts-Sharks bay, No. 518; cape Cuvier to Champion bay, No. 1056; Indian Ocean, southern portion, No. 748a; Australia southern portion, No. 27596; also Australia Directory, Vol. III., 2nd edition, 1881, pp. 207-212,
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