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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

Cape Farewell to Cape Campbell, South Side, Cook's Strait

Cape Farewell to Cape Campbell, South Side, Cook's Strait.

Cape Farewell lat. 40° 30′, long. 1720 42′ is the extreme N.W, point of Middle Island; shows an isolated cliff descending in stent to W. The land within the cape rises 400 to 600 feet, and 5 to 6 miles S. the mountains rise from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. When Farewell bears S. about 3 miles distant, an E. by N. ½ N. course leads nearly 4 miles outside Farewell Spit in 30 fathoms, when Bush End Light bears S.W., course for abreast Nelson Harbour light will be S.S.E. ½ E. 43 miles:—Course for Croiselles Harbour S.E. by E. ½ E. 39 miles:—Course for Current Basin, French Pass, 38 miles:—Course to pass outside Stephen Island E. ½ N. 41 miles. Bush End Light revolving every minute, is 120 feet high, visible 17 miles. After passing the light 10 miles, or when Mount Burnett bears W. by S. ½ S. the course is clear of the shoals for making Massacre Bay, and to obtain shelter in the bay; should make the high land of Separation Point by not bringing it to bear to the S. of S.S.W., will pass 4 miles E. of extreme of the spit.

Nelson Harbour, there is good anchorage outside in 5½ fathoms moderate weather. Vessels for Nelson should get E. shore on board and make Boulder Bank from 2 to 3 miles N. of Haven, running along its outer edge 6 or 7 fathoms water; mark for anchorage outside, a small square building on Boulder Bank in one with Stafford's house, S.S.E. ½ E. 150 yards within the beach, abreast entrance, and a short distance W. of signal staff, in 5½ fathoms, ¾ mile from Boulder Bank, and ½ mile from edge of bar. Light on S.W. end of Boulder Bank, 10 miles S.S.W. of Pepin Island. Must not shut light in nor approach within 1 mile of lighthouse; light visible 12 miles; from the light to S. entrance Astrolabe Road N.W. ½ W. 18 miles.

Croiselles Harbour, E. side Blind Bay 20 miles from Nelson, width of entrance 2 miles, depth 16 fathoms, good anchorage in 7 fathoms inside.

Current Basin, 9 miles N.N.E. entrance ¾ mile with a rock awash at H.W., bearing from Savage Point S. ¼ E. ¾ mile, deep water on either side of Piege Rock; Current Basin then runs N.E. 3 miles width 1 mile to French Pass, a narrow strait, narrowest part 540 yards, but a reef extending from Reef Point leaves only 117 yards at low water mark. The S. shore is steep, extreme of rocks only uncovered at low water, has an iron perch on them; vessels may pass within 10 yards of the perch.

Greville Harbour (D'Urville Island) is 15 miles N. of Croiselles; it is safe except in N.W. winds.

Port Hardy, N. end of D'Urville Island; vessels making for this ort from E. should pass N. of Stephen Island; passage on either side page 67 Nelson Rock is deep water. Tide sets across the entrance—flood W., ebb E., allowance must be made for this. H.W.F. & C. 9.56.

Stephen's Island, lat. 40° 40′, long. 174° 1′. H.W.F. & C. food 5.15, ebb 11.15, ½ to 2½ knots. Course to Cape Jackson S.E. ½ E. 24 miles. Stephen Island is nearly 1,000 feet high, it forms a good landfall for strangers. From a position 2 miles N.E. of Stephen's a course S.E. by E. 35 miles, or until Mana Island bears E.N.E., vessel will be in centre of Cook's Strait.

Queen Charlotte's Sound, up to Picton 23 miles deep water, no dangers, except the rock just off Cape Jackson, 1 mile N.E. by N., 3 feet above water. There is a channel 5 miles between Cook's Rock and Cape Jackson. Keep white rocks open to E. of Long Island. When Alligator Head and Cape Lambert are open to N. of Cape Jackson vessel will be 2 miles N. of Cook's Rock. The white rocks, Motuara and Dog Island, lie in the entrance. The rocks are ridged peak, extend ¼ mile, high out of water, W.N.W. from Cape Koamaru, passage on either side. The two islands are 3 miles inside, with passage on either side.

Cook's Rock dangerous awash at low water. Bearings are from Cape Koamaru N. by E. ¼ E. 3 1/3 miles. From Cape Jackson E. by S. ¼ 5¾ (nearly) miles. Flood stream makes at 3.40, ebb at 9.40.

Brothers Rocks, 235 feet high, bear from Wellington Head N. by E. ¼ E. The N. islet bears from Koamaru E. 2½ miles, also rocks nearly awash at H.W. 2½ miles from the land, and 3½ miles N.E. by N. from Wellington Head. The light has been removed from Mana Island and a lighthouse erected on Brothers Rocks, it is a white light flashing every 10".

Port Underwood is a good spacious harbour, accessible in all weathers, and a frequent port of refuge for vessels unable to enter Port Nicholson or to pass through Cook's Strait; it lies at the E. end of Cloudy Bay, and is 32 miles W. by S. ¼ S. from entrance to Port Nicholson.

Wairau River falls into Cloudy Bay 5½ miles from the White Bluff, and 8 miles from Port Underwood. Navigable for cargo boats 6 miles from its mouth; at high water there is 6 feet on the bar. A fixed white light on flagstaff at W. side entrance. A flag is hoisted when boats or small vessels can enter; lowered half-mast high, bar impassable; vessels may anchor a mile off entrance in 5 fathoms.