H.M. schooners Bramble and Castlereagh are lying in the [Moreton] Bay, the officers of them, assisted by Captain Wickham, our talented Police Magistrate, being busy in the survey of the northern passage into the Bay. From what I have heard, Lieutenant Youle, the commander of the Bramble, has expressed his astonishment that so splendid a harbour should have remained so long overlooked, or rather neglected. The Bramble had at no time less than five fathoms coming in, and to their anchorage off the mouth of the Brisbane seldom less than seven fathoms, with a channel at no time less than one to two miles wide.

I have no doubt so soon as the survey is completed, and a small chart lithographed under the authority of the colonial government, that Moreton Bay will become a most important port for all vessels requiring refreshments or to refit whilst prosecuting the sperm fishery off these shores. A vessel running in and anchoring under Cape Moreton will be secure from all easterly or south-east gales, and find on Moreton Island abundance of beautiful water close to the beach, and immense quantities of Cypress pine, admirably adapted for billet and firewood ; fish is also abundant in all seasons about the island ; and the distance to the river bar, with a fair way to run up, not more than fifteen to twenty miles, consequently supplies in any quantity could be taken down in a few hours, without the vessel leaving her first anchorage. The pilot at present stationed at Amity Point will, I have no doubt, be speedily , removed to Cape Moreton, and the southern entrance be only used by steamers, or those vessels commanded by masters conversant with that intricate channel. - Correspondent.

31 Jan 1846

During the last three months this vessel has been engaged with H.M. schooner Bramble, in surveying different bays to the northward of this port [Sydney]. She sailed hence on the 11th October [1847], and arrived at Moreton Bay on the 17th ; having completed there the survey commenced by the Fly and Bramble, she proceeded to Port Curtis, and remained there three weeks. A most elaborate survey was made of the harbour, and a new channel or entrance, from one to two miles in width, and four to seven fathoms of water, was discovered. There was no appearance of natives, and at Facing Island a spy-glass and several other small articles, which had been left there by Colonel Barney's party some months' since, were found. She sailed from Port Curtis on the 29th November, and on the 8th December arrived at Port Molle, where she remained two days, a splendid harbour being found there, and some valuable observations made. From thence she proceeded to Cape Upstart, and arrived there on the 11^th December, that being her farthest point north.

It was Captain Stanley's intention to have proceeded as far as Rockingham Bay, but not being able to obtain sufficient water for the ship, (all hands having been for some days on short allowance,) coupled with the circumstance of strong northerly winds prevailing, he was induced to turn back ; and having touched a second time at Port Molle, for the purpose of hoisting in the Asp, (tender), arrived at Moreton Bay on the 31st December. Having watered there, she sailed again for Sydney on the 8th January, leaving the Bramble to follow on the completion of some small service - and touching at the Solitary Islands on her way. From the time the Rattlesnake left this port, up to her return yesterday, continued soundings have been taken along the coast - charts on a large scale have been drawn of the places surveyed, and a valuable collection of curiosities has been made by the naturalist ; Mr. John McGillivray.

We believe we are correct in stating that Captain Stanley's instructions from the Admiralty were merely to survey the inner barrier of Torres Straits ; but the season not being favourable for such duty this cruize was undertaken by him entirely for the benefit of the colony, and by so doing, he has rendered an important service. From Cape Upstart, the Rattlesnake has experienced exceedingly bad weather, and had to beat nearly the whole of the distance. On Wednesday last she passed the steamer Thistle, hence for Moreton Bay, off Port Stephens. We understand it is Captain Stanley's intention to proceed to Bass's Straits in the course of ten days, on some service connected with the erection of the light-houses ; which will occupy about a month, after which he will return to Sydney to refit, and in April sail again for Torres Straits.

Notice to Mariners.- We understand that Captain Stanley, of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, has reported to the Government, for the information of masters of vessels trading to Moreton Bay, that the outer black buoy marked A. in Captain Wickham's chart, has been driven from its position (during a heavy gale of wind, from the northeast) a mile and a half to the S.S.W., (magnetic), and it is now inside the shoal altogether, in seven fathoms water. The buoys - B: and C: remain in their proper place.

SG & SGTL, 1848 ; page 15.

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