Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

West Coast—middle Island

West Coast—middle Island.

Variation—Cape Farewell, 15° 10′ East.

Buller River, lat. 41° 46′, long. 171° 45′, is E. 7½ miles from Cape Foulwind, 50 miles from Rocks Point, and has from 11 to 15 feet water on the bar, according to the weather; entrance is partly sheltered by the cape from S.W. winds. Outer beacon with red flag in one, with Flagstaff, leads over the bar, or red light in one, with harbour light, until the bar is crossed; good anchorage outside, with Flagstaff bearing S.E. in 10 or 11 fathoms. H.W.F & C. 10.20. N.W. winds raise high tides, S.W. the reverse. A red flag at masthead and ball; Bar is safe to cross.

A sunken rock having 2 feet of water over it at low water, lies midway between N. extreme of Three Staples (off Cape Foul wind) and entrance of Buller River.

Grey River, bar entrance constantly shifting; is easy of access for small vessels Drawing 8 or 9 feet; river is deep, but very narrow. Snag in fairway has red buoy on it. Two red lights have been erected on W. portion of Town, which kept in one leads through deepest water over shallow at lower part of cross channel after passing flagstaff; these lights are Not to be used in crossing the Outer bar. H.W.F. & C. 10.15, range 6 to 8 feet.

page 65

Cape Foulwind to Teremakau 55 miles, to Hokitika 67 miles, to Okarita 109 miles.

Teremakau 10 miles S. of Grey; small vessels Drawing 4 to 5 feet water can cross the bar with a little risk.

Hokitika. lat. 42° 4′, long. 170° 59′.—Best anchorage off Hokitika in 15 fathoms, with flagstaff bearing E.S.E., distant 2 or 3 miles, veering cable to 60 or 70 fathoms, this is in good holding ground, and vessels may here ride in safety, except with W. wind. White light is exhibited on S. spit from sunset to sunrise. Heaviest sea is just outside bar in 2 fathoms, on bar 12 to 18 inches low water.

Okarita, about 30 miles S. of West Whanganui, dangerous sunken rocks run out on this coast; channel over bar runs N.W. and S.E with 14 feet high water springs. Vessels entering should keep well over to S. shore until abreast of N. spit, then stand straight across.