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The Signal-station was erected by the Provincial Council in November, 1866, when similar stations were provided at Fox River, Brighton, and South Spit of Buller.

The Gazette notice informed mariners that: “A flagstaff at Constant Bay, Pakihi, has been erected on the North Point, where the following signals will be shown:—Red flag at masthead—boats can enter; blue flag at masthead—low water, wait for tide; white flag—entrance dangerous, surf too heavy for boats.”

On 14th August, 1868, notification was made by Commissioner Kynnersley that “on and after the 1st September the new code of bar and danger signals will be used at the Signal-stations of Westport and Charleston,” and in that month a new Signal-station at Constant Bay was built by the Government, the contractors being Charles Craddock and party. The difference in signalling was mainly the substitution of balls for flags.

Although the “Port of Charleston” was not gazetted until 9th October, 1869, Captain Beveridge was (Nelson Gazette) appointed Harbourmaster “at Constant Bay” on 23rd January, 1868, and was, by notice in the New Zealand Gazette, appointed Harbourmaster at “the Port of Charleston” on 29th June, 1868. However, he had been acting in that capacity during a portion of 1867; and had been preceded by Messrs. Salter and Collinson as signalmen, but which of the latter was the earlier is not clear. Captain Beveridge had previously been master of the schooner Salopian, of Dunedin. The Harbourmaster’s salary was fixed at £240 per annum, with an additional £48 for acting as “Customs Court Waiter.”

Neither then nor after was the port provided with either mooring or wharfage facilities beyond heavy ring-bolts set into the rocks at either side and into a large rock at the centre of the beach, for securing ships’ lines. These ring-bolts were provided in 1869, the Provincial Council’s Appropriations, 1869-1870, showing an item of £400 for the purpose, and the estimates a sum of £200 for “removing a rock.” Now, nearly three-quarters of a century later, these ring-bolts remain, rusted and thinned, the sole memento of Charleston’s shipping days.

Vessels moored and anchored in the bay as best they