steamers, the correct positions of these dangers become a subject of considerable importance. We find the following very acceptable information on the subject in a paper printed at Honolulu, the capital of the Sandwich Islands. We shall from time to time publish the position of islands in this ocean, prepared for us by Captain Daniel Smith, an experienced shipmaster resident here, who has for many years made this his peculiar study. The figures, after being set in type, will be carefully revised by him, and only issued when known to be perfectly correct. So many errors are found in nearly all the present charts, and so many shipwrecks therefrom, that this information must prove important, as it will be reliable. We commence with giving the position of the islands comprising the Pomotou Group, the name signifying cloud or multitude. The following list embraces only a part, the remainder will appear in a future issue. In most of the American and English charts of the South Pacific, remarks Captain S., I have found from experience in sailing through this dangerous group, the positions very inaccurately laid down. In 1856, while in Papeiti, Tahiti, I obtained from the late Captain Jos. Moore, of Papeiti, well known in that part of the Pacific for his researches among those islands, a French chart, said to be very correct, (and I have since found it so,) by M. Vincendan Dumoulin; from the observations of the French corvettes L'Astrolabe and La Zelée, from which I copy. Minerva Island and reef, lat. of West end, 22° 36′ to 22° 42′ S. Minerva Island and reef, long. of West end, 133° 42′ W. of Gr. Minerva Island and reef, lat. of East end, 22° 35′ to 22° 40′ S. Minerva Island and reef, long. of East end, 133° 20′ W. of Gr. Manga Reeva or Gambier Islands, extending N.E. and principal lat. 23° 8′ S., long. 135° 2′ W. S. W., 18 miles, Acteon Island, extending N.W. and S.E., N.W. point S.E. point E.N.E. and Faith Island (doubtful) said to be in Barrow Island Whitsunday Island (centre) Egmont Island (centre) N.W. point Serles Island, NW. and S.E., 10 miles, S.E. point. 99 Tolley Group, South point Neerou Group, North islet. South islet Manoutea Group, East islet West islet South side of reef surrounding Melville Island, N.W. and S. E., 12 miles, S. E. end Reitoua Group, North and South, 10 miles, South islet St. Paul's Islands, N.N.W. and S.S. E., 8 miles, S.E. islet 16 12 142 27 North point 15256 142 18 Motoutoua Island, East and West, 12 miles, East point The wreck of the barque Libelle, in our last number, seems to have arisen from the uncertain position of Wake Island, a low coral lagoon island, so low as to be unseen and directly in her way. PORT WAKEFIELD,-Gulf St. Vincent. The following sailing directions and information will cancel those published by the Marine Board of South Australia on the 22nd of January, 1866, and which commanders of ships are requested to destroy. From the lightship off Port Adelaide Outer Bar steer N.W.b.W. W., allowing for tide and leeway. The tides N.W. of the lightship are strong; flood sets over the Long Spit N.W., and the ebb SE., running at springs two knots. Keep the above course (N.W.b. W. W.) for 25 miles, to sight a large red buoy with a pyramidal top and triangular head, which marks the western end of the Long Spit, extending 20 miles westward, from the low sandy shore to the northward, and in the vicinity of the Gawler River. The buoy is at the S.W. and W. end of the shoal in 19 feet at low water, ord. springs, in lat. 34° 33.7′ S., long. 138° 77' E. with the West summit of the Hummocks Range of hills at the head of the Gulf, N. 8° W., and Mt. Lofty S. 56° 30′ E. Commanders of ships will now be able to place the buoy on their charts, which should be done on the receipt of this. The coast line on the East side of the Gulf, near the Long Spit, is very low, and cannot be seen from the deck of a small vessel when outside the buoy, unless there be much refraction. The coast on the West side, to the westward of the Long Spit, is bold, and in places cliffy. About a mile and a half to the northward of the buoy there is a swashway or channel, in which is from 6 to 8 fathoms. The patch on which the buoy is placed may be detached from the main shoal; but until this portion of St. Vincent's Gulf has been accurately surveyed, this cannot be determined. To the eastward and N.E. of the buoy the water appears to shoal gradually to the land, the above swashway probably intervening. Caution. In thick weather, or in the middle of a summer's day, when the sun is ahead, and objects much affected by refraction, the lead should be carefully attended; by keeping a depth of 5 fathoms, reduced to low water, the edge of the Long Spit may be avoided, and the buoy sighted. Sailing Directions.-Having brought the buoy N.E. 2 miles, steer N.W.b.N. N. for 5 miles, until the western summit of the Hummocks is seen bearing North, then alter course to North for 15 miles, until the land at the head of the Gulf is seen, and a bold hill on the East side (inside Sandy Point) also; then alter the course to N.N.E., not going into less than 4 fathoms, until a large nun buoy is seen; steer then to keep the buoy to the eastward, at 2 cables length; then alter the course to North. The buoy lies in 17 feet on the outer extreme of the Shoal Spit, stretching out to the westward of Sandy Point, on the Bald Hill Spit. Before nearing the buoy, shorten sail, and get ship ready for anchor. The soundings southward of the buoy are shoal; this portion of the Gulf being only navigable by small craft of light draught. Thistle Rock.-Thistle Rock, noticed in the sailing directions of January, 1866, has been removed by blasting, the débris of the rock being only 3 feet above the surface of the bottom. The position of the rock was as follows:-Lat. 34° 19′ S., long. 138° 11-5' E.; Mount Lofty, S. 40° E.; West summit of the Hummocks Range, N. 20° W. The buoy is removed. Error in Chart.-It will be seen by the above that the rock was apparently close in shore. This is owing to the imperfect charts of this portion of the Gulf, as the rock was fully 2 miles from the low coast line. The coasters report other small rocks in the vicinity of the Thistle Rock; but until the Gulf is re-surveyed, no further information can be given. Position for Anchoring.-Having brought the largest store in the township of Port Wakefield N.N.E. E., or the buoy S. E., and the mangrove bushes on the Sandy Point between E.S.E. and S.E.b.E. E., anchor in 4 fathoms at low water. There will be room to swing in this berth, but not space to beat out of it without going into 18 feet at low water. Beating up the Gulf.-In making a passage from the Lightship to Port Wakefield against head winds, make the first board to the westward, and stand on that tack, say West, for about 16 miles, not coming under 8 fathoms, to avoid the shoal water on the Oronte's Bank; then go about, to work between the two shoals,-viz., the Oronte's Bank and the Long Spit; but in drawing to the northward, fail not to sight the buoy on the latter danger, as it forms an excellent guide for enabling a commander to know when he is to the northward of the Oronte's Bank. Western Coast may be approached.-Being off the buoy, and consequently to the northward of the Oronte's Bank, the western coast may be safely approached, making long boards from 5 fathoms outside the Long Spit, on the East side, to within a mile of the western shore. On nearing Sandy Point, pass the red buoy off the Bald Hill Spit as previously directed, make short tacks, take care not to bring the buoy to bear to the southward of S. E., and not stand to the westward into less than 3 fathoms, anchoring in the space before indicated. Small Vessels-Position for Anchoring.-Small vessels may stand towards the creek, but the water shoals very rapidly, from 3 fathoms in some places; and should a vessel touch the ground no harm, as the bottom is generally sand and mud, and there is no sea. Take care to keep the ship in such a position as to be clear of her anchor. Land Wind.-In leaving Port Wakefield, do not start till morning, when the wind generally being easterly, an offing may be obtained without beating out. Winds.—The winds in fine weather, of summer, are generally from sunrise to about 8h. a.m. from E. to E.S.E.; in hot weather, the wind in the morning may be from N.E., gradually falling calm towards 8h. a.m. The sea breeze generally sets in after an interval of a couple of hours' light winds, or calm, at about 11h. a.m., and freshens towards 5h. p.m., gradually moderating till sunset, when it comes round to the S.E., and dies away towards night. The barometer falls rapidly, with northerly winds both in summer and winter seasons, and generally precedes a change of weather from the westward. In summer the change often occurs suddenly from the southward, when it blows hard. In the winter the strongest winds are from the westward. Tides.-The tides at the head of the Gulf are very irregular, and much affected by prevailing winds. With strong westerly winds the rise of tide is much augmented, whilst the fall is much diminished. Often during westerly winds, at neaps, a higher tide will be experienced than at springs, with fine weather, and South or South-east winds. With the latter the tides are at the lowest, and the rise at springs is much reduced. In fine weather, with ordinary land and sea breezes, the time of high water at F. & C. is 5 hours, and the rise about 9 feet. At neaps, in fine weather, the rise and fall is almost imperceptible, the time of apparent high water being very irregular. Produce is now sent from Port Wakefield to the shipping in the roadstead by barges. The river entrance is very shallow, and has a flat of upwards of a mile in extent, uncovered at low water springs. At a rise of 6 or 7 feet above the low water spring level loaded barges can cross the bar. The question of deepening the entrance of the river, or building a jetty across the flat, is under the consideration of the Government. The supply of fresh water at Port Wakefield is limited, and difficult to procure. It is recommended that a sufficient stock should be procured at Port Adelaide, if ships call there on their way up the Gulf; or water can be obtained by arranging for the barges used at Port Wakefield, but which generally belong to persons at Port Adelaide, bringing up a supply. B. DOUGLAS, President of the Marine Board of South Australia. FIXED WHITE LIGHT AT BILOXI, Mississippi. On and after the 15th of November, 1866, a fixed white light will be exhibited from the lighthouse at Biloxi, Mississippi, West of the NO. 1.-VOL. XXXVI. H |