its sign, and the result will be approximately the altitude the observer will obtain. If the observed altitude is much different from the computed one, it is due to an error in the latitude by account.

It is not probable that the examiners will give the applicant this problem to either work or write about; but can if they wish to.

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN-BRITISH ISLANDS AND NEW YORK.

Steamship Routes.

Information has been received from the Cunard Steamship Company, Liverpool, that the principal British and Continental steamships will in future follow the following routes between the British islands and New York:

Outward routes.-From January 15 to August 15, both days inclusive, from Fastnet or Bishop rock, steer on a Great circle course (nothing to the southward) to cross the meridian of 47° W. in latitude 42° N. Hence, either by rhumb line or Great circle (or even north of Great circle if an easterly current is encountered) to a position south of Nantucket lightvessel, thence to Fire Island lightvessel when bound to New York, or to Five Fathom Bank south lightvessel when bound to Philadelphia.

From August 15 to January 14, both days inclusive, from Fastnet or Bishop rock, steer on a Great circle course (nothing to the southward) to cross the meridian of 49° W. in latitude 46° N., thence by rhumb line to cross the meridian of 60° W. in latitude 43° N., thence also by rhumb line to a position south of Nantucket lightvessel, thence to Fire Island lightvessel when bound to New York, or Five Fathom Bank south lightvessel when bound for Philadelphia.

Homeward routes.-At all seasons of the year, steer a course from Sandy Hook lightvessel, or Five Fathom Bank south lightvessel, to cross the meridian of 70° W., nothing to the northward of latitude 40° 10′ N.

From January 15 to August 23, both days inclusive, steer from latitude 40° 10' N. and longitude 70° W. by a rhumb line to cross the meridian of 47° W. in latitude 41° N., and from this last position nothing north of the Great circle to Fastnet when bound to the Irish channel, or nothing north of the Great circle to Bishop rock when bound to the English channel.

From August 24 to January 14, both days inclusive, steer from latitude 40° 10′ N., longitude 70° W., to cross the meridian of 60° W. in latitude 42° N., thence by rhumb line to cross the meridian of 45° W. in latitude 46° 30' N., and from this last position nothing north of the Great circle to Fastnet when bound to the Irish channel, and as near as possible to, but nothing to the northward of, the Great circle to Bishop rock, always keeping south of the latitude of Bishop rock when bound to the English channel.

HYDROGRAPHIC

OFFICE.

December, 1898.

EXTRACT OF THE

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

PRESCRIBED BY THE

BOARD OF SUPERVISING INSPECTORS

RULE III.-LIFEBOATS.

Drawings, Specifications, Name Plate.

1. Builders of lifeboats shall furnish the Supervising Inspector-General with drawings and specifications showing and explaining the construction of the same, and the physical characteristics (tensile strength and ductility) of the metal used. They shall also affix a plate or other device to each boat, having thereon the builder's name, number of boat, date of construction of boat, cubical contents of boat, and number of persons said boat will carry, as determined by the rules of the Board of Supervising Inspectors.

This section shall apply to all boats built after June 30, 1905.

Construction.

2. All lifeboats shall be substantially built.

Metallic lifeboats of 20 feet length and under shall be constructed of metal of not less thickness than No. 18 wire gauge. Boats 20 to 24 feet in length shall have a thickness of metal not less than No. 16 wire gauge for their middle half length, and their ends of not less than No. 18 wire gauge. Boats longer than 24 feet shall be built according to specifications approved by the Supervising Inspector-General. The wire-gauge numbers given in this paragraph are Birmingham standard.

The air tanks of all metallic lifeboats built after June