The Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864)(about) |
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Thursday 29 October 1863
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LIGHTHOUSES FOR THE EASTERN
COAST.
Some few years ago, an intercolonial conference was held at Melbourne to discuss the subject of coast lighthouses. Several new lights were re- commended, and all of them have been erected. With the notable exception of the Jervis Bay light, which through official negligence and blundering was set up in the wrong place, all the lights then recommended have been found very useful, and the contepence may be considered as having served a beneficial purpose. If the Jervis Bay light were in the proper place, the coast from King George's Sound to Sydney would be suff ciently lighted for all present purposes. All that will need to be added are a few local harbour lights for the use of steamers and coasters enter- ing at night.
The wreck or the Dunbar led to the erection of a second light on the South Head. ln this in- instance, the lighting process was somewhat over- done, for the light was of so superior a quality as to cast a glare on the water that made it imposi- ble for captains entering to see distinctly ahead. The error has been partly corrected by diminish- ing the number of lamps, and by that means re- ducing the intensity of the light. But it would be a still further improvement in the judgment of many nautical men if the light were made
coloured.
Northwards from Sydney the coasting trade has increased very greatly during the past few years. The rivers within our own territory, the Hunter, the Manning, the Macquarie, the Macleay, the Clarence, and the Richmond, all yield more trade than they did, while the trade to the Queensland Ports, which reaches as far north now as Port Denison, has immensely increased. lt appears that on an average more than one steamer a day leaves Sydney for ports to the northward of Port Stephen - that during the first half of the present
year 1561 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of
**369, left Sydney for the Northern Ports of
the colony, and that during the same period 108 vessels of a burthen of 24,725 tons, left Sydney for Queensland, the return being about the same, and the trade is still steadily on the increase. It is obvious, therefore, that the lights along the coast of the North that might have been con- sidered sufficient for practical purposes a few years ago are insufficient now. There is no light all the way between Port Stephens and Cape Moreton -a distance of six degrees of latitude, and that although there are at least two turning points and several dangers in the shape of rocks off the coast. On the motion of Mr. Kemp, a select committee of the Legislative Council was appointed, to consider what new lights might be required. The terms of the committee's appointment referred to the whole coast of " New Holland." Why this anti- quated and unsuitable geographical expression was used we do not understand, but the enquiry was practically limited to the east coast of Aus- tralia, and especially to that part of it between Sydney and Moreton Bay.
There were seventeen witnesses examined, and
though there was the usual difference of opinion as to details - for nautical men never agreed as to the proper position for lighthouses, there was a sub- stantial accord thus far. that three fresh lights were required between Port Stephens and Cape
Moreton.
The first site is on Seal Rocks off Sugar Loaf Point, nearly half way between Port Stephens. and the Manning, and about twenty miles north
of the former. This is a turning point, the trend of the coast changing considerably here. Steamers
leaving Sydney at night get abreast of this place before daylight, and a light there would be very
serviceable. The only doubt is as to whether the light should be on the island or the main. It is cheaper to build, and easier to supply to the latter
case; and to make use of the cape is therefore more convenient, if it is sufficient; but for the purposes of navigation a llght on the outer danger is always to he preferred. We have no lights at present on little detached rocks, but the difficulties and expenses of constructing them must be met if the interests of navigation require it. The committee recommend the outer Seal Rock.
Of alll the new lights proposed, this is considered to have the first claim to immediate attention.
The next place in the course northwards is " The Solitaries." These rocks, though not at a turning point, lie in the track of the steamers, and are about thirty or forty miles south of the entrance to the Clarence. There is a difference of opinion as to whether the North or the South Solitary is the most suitable site for a beacon. The advan- tage of the former site is that it is the outer dan- ger, and that a light there would be more available as a guide to the entrance of the Clarence. But the south island is the more concealed danger, and its greater nearness to the coast is an advantage, inasmuch as vessels going north hug the coast to avoid the current. The committee, therefore, de cide in favor of the south island. If the harbour improvements now going on at the Clarence should make it possible to enter there at night, a small coloured light on the end of one of the piers would be a far more useful guide than any light on the
North Solitary.
The third place is Point Danger, which is on the boundary line of Queensland. Some of the wit- nesses would prefer Cape Byron, which being the most easterly cape of Australia is a turning point, but it is a bold headland, with deepwater close up, and therefore scarcely needs a warning light, whereas off Point Danger the rocks extend several miles. If a light were placed here, the Queens- land Government would probably bear half the expense, just, as the cost of the Cape Howe light ls shared between this colony and Victoria.
As minor works, a series of harbour lights to make the entrance to Newcastle safe at night, and a small light on the southern headland of Broken Bay, to enable coasters to take refuge there, are recommended. As these works would not be costly, and would certainly be useful, the Govern- ment will probably provide these without delay. The miserable plight into which our finances have fallen may probably cause a little delay in the con- struction ot' the larger works. The cost of our lighthouses have varied a good deal, according to the difficulties of the site and the supply of materials. Gabo Island lighthouse cost about £22,000: that at Jervis Bay about £6000; that at Inner South Head £3343, exclusive of the light, which was in stock at the time, and the cost of which was about £1400; that at Port Stephens, £8888: that at Newcastle, £7365: and that at Cape More- ton. £6600 The wooden tower at Eden cost onlv £1142. and the lantern was made in Sydney. The cost of these proposed new lights mav be esti- mated at £30,000, and the small light at Barran- juey would not cost more than £2000. The cost of maintaining 11 first-class lighthouse on shore is about £600, but there is an additional expense if the light is on an island or remote. The mainte- nance of the light on Kent's group costs nearly £1000 a year, and that of the light on King's Island is £1137. To maintain a light, on the South Solitary Mr. Hixon thinks would cost from £900 to £1000. The men would require periodi- cal relief. The three lights might involve an ad- ditional annual charge of about £2500. In spite of the present, deficit in the Treasury, we cannot admit that we are too poor to light our coast pro- perly. It. will be the business of whatever Execu- tive presides over our affairs to see that ways and means adequate to all the legitimate responsibili- ties of government are provided. -' S. M. Herald.'