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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

From Cape Palliser to Cape Egmont, Cook's Strait, Northern Side

From Cape Palliser to Cape Egmont, Cook's Strait, Northern Side.

Cape Palliser is S.E. extreme of North Island, and the S.E. entrance to Cook's Strait, it forms a bold promontory rising behind in Mount Hugh, 2,850 feet. As there are strong tide ripplings extending 3¾ miles from the cape, vessels should give it a berth of at least 2 miles in all weather, depth 35 fathoms. From a position 2 miles off and abreast Black Rocks off Cape Palliser a W.N.W. course for 24 miles will take a vessel to entrance of Port Nicholson, passing close to Taurakira and Baring Heads. Barret's Reef will then bear N. by E. 4 Miles and the entrance of the port will be open.

Port Nicholson E. entrance is Pencarrow Head, N.W. by N., 3 miles from Baring Head, a bold cliff. Light on its summit; fixed white light, second order, 420 feet above water, in ordinary weather visible 30 miles.—Barret Reef, a cluster of rocks out of water, lying nearly in centre of passage. Pencarrow light bears S.E. by E. ½ E., 3 mile from the reef. Passage in is E. of Barret Reef; breadth 6 Cables for 1½ miles. All the points on E. side entrance have straggling rocks awash extending a cable's length off them. Two sunken rocks off Barret's Reef, one lying about 100 feet E., the other the same page 60 distance W. of the outer rock, the three lying nearly in a line E. and W. There is 12 feet water on these rocks at low water, with deep water all round. On Somes Island, within the harbour, a light has been erected, showing white in the fairway through the entrance, green to the E., and red to the W. Vessels will therefore take care to keep within the white light. There is a sunken rock cables E. by S. on W. side of Lyall Bay.

Pencarrow Head to Sinclair Head, 6 miles, W. by S.; 2 miles off Sinclair Head to Cape Terawiti, 7½ miles, W.N.W., passing at 2 miles Tom's Rock awash; and 2 miles off Terawiti to inside Mana Island, N.N E. ½ E., 15 miles. The entrance to Porirua Harbour is 2 miles farther N., but is only suited for small vessels.

Mana Island lies of Porirua, has a fixed white light visible 29 miles in clear weather, showing all round. On the S.E. side there is anchorage with N.W. winds.

Kapiti Island, 12 miles N. ½ E. of Mana, and entry anchorage; between Kapiti and mainland there is 20 to 30 fathoms.

Manawatu River, miles N.E. from Otaki, is a small bout harbour; entrance is marked by two beacons, is not easy of access; the channel is blocked up with the wreck of a schooner; 3 to 4 feet on bar low water.

Rangitikei River, 9½ miles N.; coasters Drawing 6 feet may enter at high water, canoes go up 50 miles.

Whanganui River, passing Turakina and Whangaehu, two rivers, navigable for boats 5 or 6 miles, we come to Whanganui, it bears from N. end, Kapiti, N. by W. 52 miles, or about equal distance between Cape Terawiti and Cape Egmont.—Taupiri, a sharp double peaked hill 1,860 feet high, 18 miles inland, N. by E. ¾ E. in a line with Ruapehu, leads directly for entrance. N. head, a cliff 70 feet high, with Flagstaff and Pilot Station; to S. is low and sandy. But 1 to 1½ miles from entrance, and shifts according to weather, springs 12 to 14 feet over the bar, rise 6 to 7. H.W.F. & C. 10.20. After rounding S. spit, haul sharp up to S., and keep the shore on starboard, depth 28 to 25 fathoms to the Bluff; when abreast the Gap, take the middle of the river; red buoy on starboard, black on port. Signals are 2 shifting beacons, red flags by day and red lights by night. Keep the two in one and follow the green light in its movements from side to side.

Patea River, 25 miles N.W. of Whanganui, is the boundary between Taranaki and Wellington Provincial Districts, 5 considerable rivers are passed, but Waitotara and Patea only can be entered by boats. A fixed red light is on E. side showing all round, 133 feet high.

Opunake Bay is 5 miles N.W. of Otumutua Point, and 1 mile S. E. of Te Namu; a reef extends ½ mile off N.W. head, and another for 1/3 mile of S.E. head. To enter, when 2 miles off shore, and Flagstaff bearing N.N.E. ¾ E., steer in till red beacon is seen in front of Flagstaff, keep the two in line until 2 black beacons bear N.W. ¼ W., and anchor, H.W.F. & C. 9.45, range 7 to 10 feet. Signals:—Stand in, 4 balls on yard; anchor outside, 3 balls; keep to sea, 2 balls.

Cape Egmont extreme, lat. 39° 17′, long. 1730 46′. Cape Egmont to Nelson light, S ½ E. 120 miles; to Cape Farewell S. by W. ¾ W., 89 miles; to Cape Terawiti S.E. by S. 126 miles; to Manukau Heads N. 135 miles. H.W.F. & C. 9.30.