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.