combination of appliances for hauling vessels on slip-ways, inclined planes, and other similar surfaces."

129. Herbert George Huxley, Brixton, and Moses Blok, Finsbury. "Improvements in the propulsion of marine torpedoes."

ABRIDGEMENTS.

2047. Edmund S. Hunt, Weymouth, Mass., U.S. "Improved apparatus for use in case of shipwreck to effect communication between the wreck and the shore, and for other like purposes." Consists of a projectile comprising a powder charge, and a shot attached to a case containing a compact coil of rope packed with paraffin. A compactly finished hand coil is used in combination. The projectile is placed in the gun, and the line joining the ends of the coil in the shot case and the hand coil, is supported on a bracket so as not to lie across the muzzle of the gun, and be hurt by the explosion. The hand-coil is placed with its mouth facing the ship, the charge fired and the shot-coil flies over the ship, uncoiling itself as it proceeds.

2227. Jas. Watson and Leonard Watson, of Sunderland, Engineers. "Improvements in steam steering apparatus." This comprises a steam cylinder bolted horizontally to a frame, and the piston rod carrying a cross head fitted with sheaves in which the tiller chains engage. V shaped slides control the admission of steam to the cylinder, the valve is reversed by means of a twisted rocking shaft operated by the crosshead, and working the valve by an eccentric. The valve is also actuated by a handle wheel operating it by suitable gearing.

"Im

3116. Gilles Louis de Maupeon d'Ableiges, Cherbourg. provements in the mode of and apparatus for removing cinders, scoriæ, clinkers, and other waste materials, from steam and other ships." This consists in sending the ashes into a hopper fitted with grinding rollers; as the stuff is ground it is mixed with water by injected jets. The stuff then falls into a pump, from which it is sucked up and discharged overboard by a reciprocating plunger, fitted with suitable valves.

FRANCE.

124994. Dressler. "A construction of vessels."

124965. Jenkins. "A speed regulator for steam engines."

124948. Joselli. "A drag."

125036. De Maupeon d'Ableiges, of Cherbourg. for removing coal dust from the hold of vessels." 125052. Viry. "A signal."

125110. Vence and Constant, of La Crotat.

for vessels."

125305. Stephany. "A chain boat."

125289. Hooper. "Life rockets."

"An apparatus

"Jointed chairs

125318. Mesny. "Improved arrangements for life-belts, whereby they are rendered also available as pillows."

44. J. L. Lay, Paris. "Improvements in torpedo boats, and An apparatus for guiding, regulating, and firing the same."

88. G. V. Fosbery, London. "Protecting gunboats, torpedo boats, and other similar boats from bullets and other projectiles." 121. The Chantillon and Commentry Ironworks Company, France. "Manufacturing armour plates."

139. E. Pedcazzini, Santa Cristina, Pavia. "A steam rudder." 136. H. Origlio and H. Carvero, Genoa. "An apparatus for

steadying rudders."

209541.

AMERICAN.

Luther Alvord, South Hadley, Mass.

"Chain wheel

propeller and canal boat." This consists in two wheels placed at the stern on each side, having their spokes set at an angle to their axis. The links of the chain are formed with ribs or blades set at an angle likewise. The lengths are pivoted together with eccentrically pivoted links so that the chain, though flexible in one direction, acts solidly on the water, and cannot slip on the recessed peripheries of the wheel. A baffle board at the stern can be set at an angle to project into the water, and counteract the tendency of the wheels to elevate the bow. A moveable false bow is used to

receive and deaden the effect of the reflex wave made by the bow of the boat. Baffle boards prevent the side wash from reaching the banks.

207018. Samuel Hy. Cowles and Benjamin Barton Brewer, Sacramento. "Device for propelling vessels." This consists of a set of pipes opening into the water at the stern of the vessel, two pointing forward and two aft, one on each side, and a sternward pipe. Water is pumped through pipes in the bottom furnished with suitable valves, and ejected through the pipes to propel the vessel, controlling valves determining the action of the jets so that the vessel may be propelled and steered in various directions.

209364. Lewis Smith and Robert Booth, Sherbrooke, Quebec. 'Fog alarms." This consists of a steam cylinder, bolted over an air cylinder, provided with a fog-horn. Steam is admitted to raise the piston of the steam cylinder, and both pistons being on the same rod, fall by their own gravity on steam being cut off. A semirotary balanced shaft, with cams, operates a lever to open and close the induction valve, and the eduction valve is controlled by another lever working with a pin in the slot of the first-named lever. The shaft is revolved by the action of tappets in each cylinder-head, struck by the pistons working a pivoted arm to push it partly round each way.

209414.

Jos. W. Norcross, Boston. "Vessels." This consists in a peculiar vessel with two hulls, the upper part being curved like a fish's back. The bottom of each hull is angular, and projects deeper outside than between the hulls, so as to take a hold of the water. Two masts are used, one in each hull, and a peculiar sail which can be shifted from one mast to the other, so as to be always set to windward; the sail is fitted to a gaff and boom pivoted centrally to the mast, and supported by rod or staff at its fore end, connecting boom and gaff together, they being pivoted to it.

78. John Brown Herreshoff and James Brown Herreshoff, Bristol, U.S. "An improved method of propelling and steering steam vessels, and apparatus therefor and connected therewith."

100. Henry Robertson, Gosport. "Improvements in davits for ships and other vessels."

33.-ENGLAND.-Marking of Wrecks.-It being desirable when light-vessels or other craft are anchored to mark the position of wrecks, that mariners should be able to distinguish them, and to learn on which side of them they should go, wreck-marking vessels will in future have their top-sides colored green, and will exhibit

By Day-Three balls on a yard 20 feet above the sea; two placed vertically on the side on which navigating vessels may safely pass, and one on the other side.

By Night-Three white fixed lights will be shown similarly

N

arranged, but not the ordinary riding light. Mariners will thus know, on sighting a wreck-marking craft, that she is so employed; and that they should pass on that side of her on which the two balls or two lights are shown.

34.-ENGLAND.-South Coast.-Portsmouth Harbour.-Harbour Light on South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Dockyard.-The light is exhibited from the extreme south end of the south railway jetty; it is fixed light, showing red between the eastern side of the harbour and the south-east tangent of Block House fort; and green up the harbour westward of that line.

Note.-Vessels going alongside the south end of the dockyard at night, will be clear of the harbour railway works when within the limits of the green light. Variation, 18° E.

35.-ENGLAND.-West Coast.-Bristol Channel.-New Lighthouse on Bull Point, and improvement of Bideford High Light. The lighthouse which has been for some time past in course of erection on Bull point, south side of the Bristol Channel, being now far advanced towards completion, it is intended during the ensuing summer to exhibit therefrom at an elevation of 154 feet above high water, a powerful white triple-flashing half-minute light, showing three successive flashes of about two seconds' duration, divided by eclipses of about three seconds, the third flash being followed by an eclipse of about 18 seconds. Also a red fixed light will be shown from the lighthouse, 18 feet below the upper light, to mark the Morte stone. A powerful fog-signal, giving three blasts in quck succession every two minutes, will also be established.

Note. The illuminated arc of the Bideford high light will be extended, when the light at Bull point is established. Further particulars will be published.

86.-WHITE SEA.-Gulf of Arkhangel.-Fixed and Flashing Light on Zimnia Hills.-A lighthouse (Zimnegorski) is erected on Zimnia hills, right bank of Kammeni river, the light is fixed and flashing, showing a flash every thirty seconds, elevated 349 feet above the sea, and visible from seaward between the bearings S. 27° W. and N. 214° W. from a distance of 21 miles. The lighthouse, 61 feet high, octagonal in shape, built of wood and painted yellow, with lantern of lead colour, is situated about 260