Chapter 1

Produced by Nick Wall, Brisbane, Australia. <[email protected]>

1891.

QUEENSLAND.

REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF PORTS AND HARBOURS FOR THE YEAR 1890-91.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command.

TO THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

Department of Ports and Harbours, Brisbane, 26th August, 1891.

SIR,--I have the honour to submit, for your information, the following Report concerning this Department for the past year:--

I assumed charge on the 1st July, 1890, and found that the heavy gales and floods experienced in January of the same year had most seriously affected several of the dredged cuttings of the Brisbane, Mary, Burnett, and Fitzroy Rivers. In some places the Brisbane River had silted up to such an extent that there were fully 18 inches less water than before the flood. This, however, only proved a temporary inconvenience, as the dredges soon restored the cuttings to their original depths. I also found that considerable changes had taken place in the formation of the banks at the northern entrance to Moreton Bay, necessitating the removal--to make the lead effective--of Tangaluma Light (which had only been established in 1885), also the removal (for the fourth time) of the Yellow Patch Light, and the building of two new cottages for the lightkeepers. Owing to the encroachment of the sea, it had also been found necessary to remove Comboyuro Point Lighthouse and the keeper's cottage some 200 feet further inland. This work was accomplished by the Inspector, Mr. H. L. Pethebridge. The floating beacon which marked the northern entrance to the port had been ashore on Bribie Island for some time, but, during the first interval of settled westerly weather, she was floated and brought to Brisbane to be repaired and supplied with new moorings, after which she was on the 8th August replaced in her former position, and by the end of October the works of the Department generally, which had suffered in the early portion of the year, were restored.

In January and February of the present year another series of heavy gales was experienced along the whole coast of the Colony, and on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of June a gale of unusual severity, accompanied by torrents of rain, swept along the coast from Bowen southwards, causing heavy seas and abnormally high tides. Such unfavourable weather, of course, occasioned considerable loss to the Department, a great number of buoys being driven from their moorings (some lost altogether), and beacons and other plant receiving a large amount of damage.

MORETON BAY AND BRISBANE RIVER.

The banks at the northern entrance to Moreton Bay are constantly shifting, and the maintenance of the necessary lights and buoys to enable vessels to enter and clear the port in safety is a source of continual anxiety. The floating beacon, which had broken adrift during the month of February, disappeared altogether on the 10th March; and although diligently searched for, no trace of her has been discovered. Two valuable buoys disappeared from the outer banks about the same time. The floating beacon has been replaced by a new second-class (Trinity pattern) steel conical buoy, surmounted with a staff and cage, the top of which is 12 feet above the water, forming a most conspicuous object. New buoys have been moored in the positions of those lost.

No. 1 cutting, Hamilton Reach, has now a depth of 17 feet at low water, spring tides; and the entrance to the bar cutting is being dredged to a similar depth. The increased depth of water in these cuttings is of considerable importance to vessels of heavy draught. A depth of 15 feet at low water, spring tides, is fully maintained in the other cuttings, but there are several shallow places in the town reaches of the river which require attention.

The more recent gales and floods do not appear to have injuriously affected the dredged cuttings of the Brisbane River. Several new beacons have been erected to replace those blown down or found defective; and, to render them more conspicuous, heads have been placed on some of the beacons marking the bar cutting. Beyond some slight repairs, now being effected, all the sea and river marks for the navigation of this port are in good order, and the various buildings are not likely to require any extensive repairs for some time.

The apparatus at the various lighthouses in Moreton Bay are in good order, with the exception of the reflectors at Cape Moreton, which will shortly require re-silvering. This work can be done locally.

The sea-pilot steamer "Advance" continues to do her work satisfactorily, and is most usefully employed at her present station. She is only used for towing in cases of emergency, so that her earnings in that respect are very limited.

The "Laura" is a most useful vessel, and is kept fully employed performing the various duties of the Department. She is, however, seventeen years old, and her hull shows signs of weakness, although her engines and boiler are in good order.

The "Pippo" requires a new boiler and certain repairs to her hull. To efficiently carry out the work of the Department at this port, I find a third steamer indispensable, as the "Advance" must be kept at her station, and it is impossible for the "Laura" to successfully perform all the other work of the Department; and should either break down, a third steamer would be necessary as a relieving vessel.

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.

The lighthouse at the Burnett Heads and the leading beacons in the river are all in good order. The pilot vessel has given much satisfaction since receiving extensive alterations and repairs in Brisbane last year.

The new explosives magazine is found to be a great convenience, and offers ample accommodation for all requirements.

The beacons in the Kolan River, which were blown down in the June gale have been restored.

PORT CURTIS.

The recent heavy weather has had the effect of altering very much the north channel into Port Curtis, the depth having shallowed from 18 to 11 feet at low water, spring tides. The inner end of the channel has been contracted by the extension of the north-west end of the east bank west-north-westerly direction, and the spit off Oyster Rock to the southward. These changes have necessitated the removal of the two buoys--formerly marking the entrance--to the inner edge of the east bank and the southern point of the spit off Gatcombe Head.

Heavy deposits of mud have taken place in Auckland Creek and the Calliope River, and it has been found necessary to shift the leading lights to enable vessels to enter the creek in safety. Considerable expense has been incurred through the renewals of buoys and beacons occasioned by the floods in February last, almost every buoy being displaced. All the marks are now, however, in position again. The light on Gatcombe Head and the apparent light on Oyster Rock are working satisfactorily, and the dwelling-houses of the lightkeeper and pilot crew are in very fair order, only one of them requiring repairs of any consequence. Ordinary wear and tear is the only expense likely to be required for the pilot schooner "Enid" during the current year.

Very little progress of any utility has been made in connection with the work of deepening the Narrows.

At Bustard Head I found the lighthouse, the two auxiliary lights, and the domiciles of the superintendent and keepers in excellent order.

ROCKHAMPTON.

The floods of this year have caused no changes of importance in the Fitzroy River. The new channel at Central Island--which opened out and was beaconed and lighted this time last year--maintains its depth unassisted by dredging operations, and appears to be improving. No. 5 cutting is consequently no longer used. A new vessel has replaced the old lightship at the Upper Flats. She is considered an efficient and necessary beacon at one of the most rocky curves of the Fitzroy River, and serves as a domicile for the lightkeepers, who maintain the lights ashore and afloat for a distance of five miles. Tidal signals are also shown from the vessel both day and night.

During the year the dwelling-houses of the pilot's staff at Keppel Bay and the lightkeepers at Sea Hill, Balaklava, and Brown's Crossing have been painted throughout; at the latter station some repairs were also executed. Any further expense during the current year is, therefore, not likely to be necessary.

At Balaklava the sea is encroaching on the northern foreshore of the island, but arrangements have been made to deposit some 500 tons of ballast, of which a rough dyke will be constructed by the Harbour Master's staff. This, it is anticipated, will prevent further inroads by the sea.

The buildings at Sea Hill and at the pilot station are in good order. The Timandra Bank lightship requires some repairs, and the decks want caulking, which I anticipate may be done without removing the vessel from her station. All the buoys and beacons in Keppel Bay and the Fitzroy River have had careful attention, and are in good order.

CAPE CAPRICORN.

The lightkeeper in charge of this station (Edwin Biss) died in Rockhampton during the year, and was succeeded by the first assistant (James Aitken). The lighthouse tower is in good order, but the iron roofing of two of the cottages requires renewal, being oxidised and full of perforations.

NORTH REEF.

At this exposed and isolated station I found the central structure in sound condition, but the corrugated iron forming the walls and roof of the circular superstructure round the base of the tower, and which forms the domicile for the superintendent and lightkeepers, is very much corroded by the action of the salt water, necessitating some considerable repairs. During the gale and high tides of March last, the sandbank was entirely submerged, the sea smashing in the doors and windows, and flooding the keeper's quarters. The sand, some 14 feet in depth, which originally surrounded the building, has been washed away, allowing the sea free access to the foundation caisson, which is down 14 feet into the solid madrepore. I do not, however, consider the stability of the structure is depreciated to any extent in consequence. This station, like Cape Capricorn, is visited by the Harbour Master at Rockhampton once a month.

PINE ISLET.

Everything here is in good order, and a gangway ladder has been constructed to facilitate landing at this almost inaccessible rock, which the Harbour Master at Rockhampton visits every two months.

YEPPOON.

One small steamer and two or three small craft trade to this place, the Department maintaining the necessary marks for navigation.

HARRISVILLE (EMU PARK).

No vessels except fishing and pleasure boats have been here for some time. A black buoy is, however, kept moored off the end of the outer reef.

PORT BOWEN.

Is now only visited by vessels seeking shelter. The wharf is in good order, but no cattle have been shipped since 1887.

BROADSOUND.

Since October last the staff at this port, which previously consisted of a pilot and three hands, has been considerably reduced--the coxswain only (who is also a boatman pilot) being retained. The trade to the port is merely one small steamer, making about four trips a year.

PORT MACKAY.

So far but little improvement in the Pioneer River appears to have resulted from the construction of the stone training walls. Raising the wall from Fisherman's Bank down stream to its present termination will have a beneficial effect, and remove the possibility of small vessels--when not under command--resting upon it at high water. Its additional height will also prevent the sand (as in February last, when the sea made a breach through East Point) from being carried over into the main channel and leaving a deposit of some 18 inches on the top of the wall. The upper stone wall commencing at Magazine Island has proved beneficial, by creating a scour resulting in the removal of the upper flats. At East Point the bar beacons have been removed again (for the third time in ten years), in consequence of the continual growth in a south-westerly direction of the extreme end of the sand spit.

The older portion of the wooden retaining wall on the south bank of the Pioneer River is in a most unsightly and dilapidated condition, owing to the combined ravages of white ants and cobra; the newer portion is also being quickly destroyed from the same cause. The stone retention wall which extends along part of River Street is, however, well constructed, and likely to prove of permanent utility.

The buoys and beacons within Port Mackay are in an efficient condition, and the lighthouse at Flat Top and dwelling-houses of all the Department's employees require but few repairs. The steam launch is a useful handy vessel, and is in good order.

HABANA CREEK.

To the northward of Mackay, is the outlet for all the sugar manufactured on the Habana Estate, which last year amounted to 2,666 tons. The requisite beacons are maintained by the pilot's staff at Mackay.

CABBAGE-TREE CREEK.

To the southward of Mackay, is available for small vessels drawing 8 or 9 feet of water, and may possibly require beaconing, as it is likely to be availed of, in consequence of its close proximity to Grass-Tree Mountain, where gold reefing promises shortly to be in operation.

DENT ISLAND.

As this station I found the lighting apparatus working well, and the tower and cottages in a satisfactory condition. Mr. F. Walker, the late lightkeeper in charge, has been compelled to retire through ill-health, after a faithful service of twenty-one years.

BOWEN.

I regret to say that Mr. Robert Findlater, who has satisfactorily filled the position of pilot at Bowen for the last twenty-eight years, died last month. The boatman pilot will in future carry out the duties hitherto performed by Mr. Findlater. The platform of the lighting apparatus at North Head lighthouse requires some repairs, but the other buildings appear in good order. The wreck of the s.s. "Wentworth" still remains on the rocks to the southward of North Head, and forms a most efficient beacon. The pilot ketch "Dudley" has been recently repaired at Townsville in a very satisfactory manner. She is a very useful vessel, making monthly trips to Dent Island in addition to her other duties.

CAPE BOWLING GREEN.

During the last six months the sea has gradually encroached upon the lighthouse and cottages at this station, quite 150 feet of the bank in front of the lighthouse having disappeared. The sea, on three occasions, washed some of the piles from under the superintendent's house. With high spring tides the water touches the base of the lighthouse on the north-west side; and as the spit to the south-east is now moving away, it would appear more than probable that if any further encroachment takes place the buildings will be surrounded with water, when their position will be most critical. There was nothing abnormal in the state of the tide when the greatest encroachment took place, and the disappearance of the bank which formerly protected the buildings can only be accounted for by the soft and yielding nature of the sand which underlies an apparently hard and compact surface. I visited Cape Bowling Green twice within a month, and the changes wrought during the interval of my visits were remarkable. On the first occasion a bank of sand 6 feet high, with a row of cocoanut trees about eight years old, extended some 150 feet in front of the buildings. On my last visit the whole of this bank, together with the cocoanut trees, had disappeared, and the sea at high water was washing under the superintendent's house and within a few feet of the lighthouse. I consulted on the spot with the Harbour Master (Mr. Hughes), the Inspector (Mr. Pethebridge), and the Superintendent (Mr. Cole), all of whom have been acquainted with the place for the last seventeen or eighteen years, with the object of selecting a new and more eligible site. Such, however, does not appear to exist. The lighthouse and apparatus are in good order, and the cottages, with the exception of that occupied by the superintendent, are in fair condition.

CAPE CLEVELAND.

The clockwork requires some slight alterations, owing to the irregular intervals of revolution; but, with that exception, everything is in satisfactory order.

TOWNSVILLE.

No alteration appears to have taken place in the depth of water in Cleveland Bay. The damage to the eastern breakwater caused by the cyclone of last year has been repaired, and the structure has been greatly strengthened. At its outer extremity a massive concrete foundation has been embedded in the masonry, upon which the lighthouse has been strongly secured. The light is of the 4th order dioptric, showing a red arc of 270 deg. to seaward, and a white arc of 90 deg., visible inside the breakwater and to the southward towards Alligator Creek. The extension of the western breakwater is also completed, and from its outer extremity a small green light will be exhibited. The channel into Ross Creek, dredged in 1889 to a depth of 10 feet at low water, has silted up in places below the Harbours and Rivers' Wharf to 5-1/2 feet; above that it retains its depth.

Inside the breakwater, and at the entrance between the piers, dredging is being proceeded with, and it will be a great advantage to the shipping visiting the port when the dredging along the inside of the eastern breakwater is completed.

It is proposed to erect semaphores for exchanging communications between the signal station and Bay Rock lighthouse, flag signals being frequently indistinguishable. The lighthouse at Bay Rock is well maintained.

The steam launch is very useful, but rather small for the work she has to perform.

The buoys and beacons in Cleveland Bay are now in good repair, several renewals having been necessary during the past year. All the property of the Department appears to be well looked after, and in an efficient state. The new relieving lightship built at Townsville was finished last April. After being fitted with two new 5th order dioptric lights--which, being exhibited from the same lantern, show a powerful fixed light--she was towed up in July to relieve the Channel Rock lightship, which had been thirteen years at her moorings. The latter vessel has been brought to Townsville for repairs.

BARRATTA AND ALLIGATOR CREEKS.

Have required rebeaconing throughout. The trade to the latter creek is increasing, as the Meat-preserving Works have recommenced operations.

PLANTATION CREEK.

The necessary beacons and leading lights are maintained.

DUNGENESS.