The Nautical Surveyor (Mr. E. A. Cullen) has just finished a survey of the northern half of Moreton Bay, a work which was rendered necessary by the fact that the only chart available for use was one originally published by the Admiralty in 1865, with corrections inserted at various intervals up to within the last two years, since which great changes have taken place in the formation of the banks. Mr. Cullen accomplished the work in the "Pippo" in a most satisfactory manner, in the short space of five months, and a tracing of the new chart has been transmitted to the Admiralty for publication. The survey discloses changes of a prejudicial character at the entrance to the North or Howe Channel, which has been contracted by the extension of the east bank in a northerly direction about four cables, and the south-east extreme of the north bank to the eastward, about three and a half cables, while to the north-north-east of the north bank a small patch has formed, having only three fathoms upon it at low water. This patch is only one cable to the westward of the line of lights, and a continuance of similar growths will render the entrance at night exceedingly difficult, and probably destroy the utility of the present leading lights. The channel, however, at present maintains a depth in its shallowest part of 21 feet at low water, spring tides. The attached plan shows the position of the line of lights in relation to the three fathom patch and north-west extreme of the east bank. The three and five fathom contours as existing in 1886 are shown in red, while their present positions are indicated in black. Numerous other changes are shown on the new chart, but the banks to the westward, in the vicinity of the north-west channel, have changed so very little during the last twenty-five years that the channel may be regarded as practically a permanent one. It is the widest, deepest, and only permanent approach to Moreton Bay, and vessels of heavy draught, whose visits are rapidly increasing—including some of H.M. ships—have now to wait for daylight to enter the port by this channel. It is buoyed for use in the daytime, and can—when considered necessary—be easily and cheaply lighted for use at night.
The approach to Moreton Bay by the South Passage should be discouraged, as the banks move about in a remarkable manner; and variation in the depth of water and direction of the channels being of frequent occurrence, it should be attempted only by men possessing good local knowledge, in vessels of light draught.
WIDE BAY AND MARYBOROUGH.
The new channel across Wide Bay Bar, which was buoyed and lighted in July of last year, maintains its depth and direction. Some changes have taken place in Sandy Strait, notably at Stewart's Island Flats, where the cutting has silted up; and a new channel to the eastward of the cutting, carrying a depth of 18 inches more water, has been beaconed and lighted. The gales and floods experienced during January and February did very great damage; and the outlay in replacing lost buoys, and repairing and replacing beacons, has been considerable. A perch buoy has been moored at the northern entrance to Great Sandy Strait, in place of the floating beacon which was sunk on the night of the 10th May last. The work of raising this vessel was commenced, but had to be abandoned in consequence of heavy weather coming on and ultimately breaking her up. The buoys and beacons are in good order throughout this district. When the cutting at Horse-shoe Bend is completed, there will be a depth of 10 feet at low water, spring tides, through all the cuttings in the Mary River, and vessels drawing 19 feet will be enabled to reach the wharves at Maryborough.
The lightkeeper's cottages at Woody Island and one of the cottages at Inskip Point require some repairs, but with those exceptions the domiciles are in good order.
The steamer "Llewellyn" has been recently surveyed, and, beyond the ordinary outlay, no expenditure is anticipated during the current year. In June last this vessel was instrumental in saving the brigantine "Hector," with eighty lives on board, from being wrecked on Breaksea Spit. In Great Sandy Strait and the Mary River there are no less than 50 lights, most of which are leading lights burning day and night. These lights keep two steam launches with their crews constantly at work attending to them; the system is elaborate, but very costly.
BURNETT RIVER.
The gales and floods in the early part of this year, and again in June last, caused considerable damage in the river and outside the Heads, nearly every buoy being swept from its moorings, by the velocity of the freshes (two being lost altogether). Several of the beacons were blown down, and the course of the channel in the Inner Bar lead altered so much, that the leading beacons had to be removed twice. The banks at the entrance to the river have increased in extent, and changed the course of the channel outside the Bar, rendering the approach to the port more intricate. The buoys have been shifted to mark the new channel.