Islands in Hauraki Gulf.

Variation—Great Barrier Island, 14° 0′ East.

Great Barrier Island forms the E. side of the Gulf, it is 21 miles long N.N.W. and S.S.E. and 10 miles across, height 2,130 feet.

Little Barrier forms N. side of Gulf, is 4 miles by 3½ and steep, 2,400 feet. Midway between Little and Great Barrier, is Horn Rock (breaks with a swell) bearing from S.E. end of Little Barrier 4 miles, from S. extreme E. ¼ S. 5 miles, from False Head, Great Barrier, S.W. ½ W. 5 miles, and from Pirogues Rocks W. ½ S. 7 miles 12 fathoms close to it, and 25 fathoms in the passage which is 7 miles wide. There are no harbours in Little Barrier; but in Great Barrier there are Catherine Bay 7 miles S. of Needle Point, it runs 2½ miles E., but is open to W.—Port Abercrombie 1½ miles S. of Catherine Bay, entrance 1½ miles broad, 30 fathoms water across; open to W. winds, general depth too deep for convenient anchorage, ranging from 14 to 20 fathoms, except in Nagle Cove, a small but secure anchorage immediately round N. head, where several coasters might ride safely; room for two vessels size of sloops of war, when moored; a small islet lies in centre of it—depth in this cove 7 to 9 fathoms—Fitzroy is the inner harbour, well sheltered from all winds; its entrance 2 cables in widh; more than 17 fathoms in it, bears E.S.E. 1½ miles from N. entrance point of the latter port.