|
SIGNAL STAFF,
NEWCASTLE
Extract from the Report of the
Chairman of the Steam Navigation Board, and of the
Harbour Master of Sydney, on the Tour of Inspection made
by them to the Port of Newcastle
Having on the evening of Thursday, the
8th instant, proceeded to Newcastle, and having, on our
arrival there, made a careful inspection of the Light
House, Buoys, Beacons, Signal Station, Wharfs, &c., and
also inquired into the manner in which the Harbour
Master's Department is conducted, and the system on
which the Pilots' Duties are carried out, - we propose,
first, to submit a Report of the result of our inquiries
and inspection, and then to make such recommendations
for the consideration of the Board as the several
matters which come under our notice seemed to warrant.
Although it was arranged that the Member
for Newcastle, Dr. Bowker, should meet us there on our
arrival, and point out the several subjects requiring
our most immediate attention, that gentleman was
unavoidably prevented from attending, but in his absence
we availed ourselves of the assistance of the
Sub-Collector of customs, Mr. Bolton, an officer who, by
his long residence at that port and local experience,
was, in conjunction with the Harbour Master, Captain
Livingstone, able to afford us much information and
assistance.
THE SIGNAL STATION
A new Signal Master's house has been
lately erected in the vicinity of the position of the
old coal Beacon, at an expense of about £1,200, and the
signals continue to be made from this hill as
heretofore.
This establishment was in tolerable order,
but the person in charge - an old servant of the
Government - appeared to us to be almost physically
incapacitated by age and infirmity from performing the
duty devolving upon him.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We advise that the Signal Station, as at
present existing, be abolished, and that the Flag staff
be moved, or, if not capable of removal, another be
erected on Nobby's Island, and placed in charge of the
Principal Light Keeper, who might be allowed an
additional salary of £20 to perform the duties now
performed by the Signal Master, which would not only
cause a saving to the Government of one hundred pounds a
year, but would also, from its position, be more
available for vessels at sea, and at the same time be
more distinctly visible in the town.
Having disposed of the Signal Station, we
would advise that the house lately erected there be made
the residence of the Harbour Master, and that the old
buildings in its vicinity - a portion of which is now
occupied by the late Shipping Master and boats' crews-
be devoted to the accommodation of one of the Pilots,
and about six of the men employed in the boats. This
arrangement would make a Pilot and crew always available
in case of emergency, and would enable a good look out
to be kept, instead of depending altogether on the
Signal man for information.
We would also recommend that, either at
this Station or at the Light House, a strict watch be kept,
by both night and day, by the Pilots or their crews; and
that regulations for their guidance be framed and
printed on conspicuous placards, and, as in Sydney,
furnished to each of the Pilots - as also to be
exhibited at the Custom House and Harbour Master's
Office,
H. H. Browne, chairman.
John Crook Harbour Master (Sydney)
EXTRACT from a Letter from THE
UNDERSECRETARY TO THE TREASURY to the HARBOUR
MASTER. Dated 27 August 1858
Sir,
In acknowledging the
receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, enclosing the
Report of the Chairman of the Steam Navigation and Pilot
board, and of yourself, upon the Harbour Department of
the Port of Newcastle, I have the honor to inform you
that the Honorable the Treasurer, having maturely
considered the Report in question, now directs that the
following recommendations, therein made, be carried out
with as little delay as possible viz:
1. That the Signal
Stations as at present existing be abolished, and that
the Flagstaff be moved, or, if not capable or removal,
another be erected on Nobby's Island, and placed in
charge of the Principal Light Keeper.
2. That the house
lately erected at the Signal Station be made the
residence of the Harbour Master, and that the old
buildings in its vicinity - a portion of which is now
occupied by the late Shipping Master and boats' crews -
be devoted to the accommodation of one of the Pilots,
and about six of the men employed in the boats.
3. That, either at the
Signal Station or at the Light House, a strict watch be
kept, night and day, by the Pilots or their crews; and
that regulations for their guidance be framed and
printed on conspicuous placards, and, as in Sydney,
furnished to each of the Pilots- as also to be exhibited
at the custom House and Harbour Master's Office.
*
* * *
* * *
* *
THE HARBOUR MASTER
SYDNEY to THE HARBOUR MASTER NEWCASTLE
The Port Office Sydney
3 September 1858
The Harbour Master,
Newcastle
Sir, I am directed by
the Steam Navigation and Pilot board to request that you
will have the flag-staff removed as soon as possible,
and at such a time as will be least inconvenient to the
shipping interest
I have &c., John
Crook, Harbour Master. (Sydney)
EXTRACT of a
Letter from Harbour Master, Newcastle, respecting
removal of Flag-staff.
Harbour Master's
Office, Newcastle 4 September 1858
The Harbour Master,
Sydney,
Sir,
I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's
date, requesting the flag-staff to be removed to Nobby's,
which I shall lose no time to accomplish, or so soon as
I can obtain the means of doing so. At present I am
entirely without means, without coming under
obligations, to private individuals, which I am much
averse to. I have only 1 block (14-in. treble,), neither
pick nor shovel, or any means of transit for the mast,
which can only be speedily accomplished by dray, and I
have no authority to hire any; to attempt the removal by
manual labour would be attended wit much loss of time.
I have inspected and
fixed on a site for the mast on Nobby; the present one
and all attached are in good condition; the lower mast
is iron bark, about 38 feet long by 16 inches diameter.
David T. Allan,
Harbour Master.
THE HARBOUR
MASTER, SYDNEY, to THE HARBOUR MASTER, NEWCASTLE
The Port
Office, Sydney 6 September 1858
The Harbour
Master, Newcastle,
Sir,
In reply to
your letter respecting the removal of the Flag-staff, I
am directed by the Steam, Navigation and Pilot board to
inform you, that you are authorized to incur whatever
expense may be necessary, either in the hiring of a dray
or the purchase of materials, for the purpose; and to
request that you will forward, when the removal is
completed, a report of the same, and of the expenses
incurred.
I have &c.,
John Crook, Harbour Master.
Next |