the Hartlepools and Liverpool have each lost one, although Liverpool shows the respectable increase of 70,641 tons in the past 960. ... Tyne Ports......... 6,627,222 ... 6,550,546 ... 7,364,065 808,519 54,069 I have heard it rumoured that this useful monthly publicationBrowne's Export List-is likely to be discontinued for lack of pecuniary support, but I trust the report is not correct. It Contains valuable information for merchants, manufacturers, coalwners, coal-fitters, and others, and, should it cease to exist, it will be most difficult to obtain the same information even at an increased expense. It will be a loss to this district, as well as to other parts of the country, if it has taken its leave of us with the close of the year 1879. Dock and Port Charges Offices, I am, &c., R. THUBRON. DISTINGUISHING LIGHTS FOR LIGHTHOUSES. To the Editor of the "Nautical Magazine." SIR,-Referring to the article on the above subject in the current number of your Magazine, permit me to state that a short time since Messrs. E. Marlborough and Co., published a little book entitled, "How to learn the Morse Alphabet in half an hour." The system therein explained is so simple, that I am sure any sailor could learn in less than the time stated in the title. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, London Institution, Finsbury Circus, E.C., ELECTRICIAN. January 2, 1880. To the Editor of the "Nautical Magazine." SIR,-Your valuable article on Sir William Thomson's proposal for changing the present system of lighthouse distinctions ought to be carefully read by all nautical men. My opinion is, that if seamen thoroughly realised the full extent of the changes which would be brought about by Sir William Thomson's system, there would be a general outcry against it by all those who have actually to make use of the lights. I do not believe one shipmaster out of twenty knows what is proposed; even those who have read up the subject do not fully comprehend it. I for one (not, I hope, deficient in intelligence), cannot understand how the dots and the dashes are to be made, whether with flashes of light or with eclipses, and because sailors don't know what is intended, and the plan is not simple enough for them to master it easily, so they don't make any stir about it. Besides, lights are altered quite often enough now, and we don't want any more scientific novelties to puzzle us in passing the Board of Trade examinations, or to confuse us when we want all our energies for looking after our ships. I hope the Trinity Board will continue to give us good strong lights with plain distinctions without giving us more work and anxiety to find out what lights they are. By the way, I may mention that when pretty close to a revolving light you see it gradually open and grow stronger and stronger, and after reaching its greatest power it dies gradually away. At a long distance you lose this effect, and often see only the brightest part, like a flash. Now, how is this to be distinguished from a flashing light? Is a revolving light a flashing light? If so, there ought not to be two names for one kind of light. London, Jan. 20, 1880. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, A NAUTICAL OBSERVER. MARINE INVENTIONS. Monthly List of Patents-Communicated by Messrs. Wm. P. Thompson & Co., British and International Patent and Trademark Agents and Consulting Engineers, 323, High Holborn, London, W.C., and 6, Lord Street, Liverpool. ENGLISH (APPLICATIONS). 5153. Edgar E. Mann, Lawrence, Essex, U.S.A. ments in signal buoys." "Improve 5175. Jean B. Siccardi, Varazza, Genoa, Italy. "An improved mode of insulating mariners' compasses." (A communication.) 5184. Stephen Davies, Ebbw Vale, Wales. "An improved apparatus to be fitted to vessels and steamers for increasing their speed and improving their buoyancy." 5196. Henry Brown, Charlestown, South Carolina, U.S.A. "Improvements in apparatus for ringing alarm bells on floating buoys, at sea or in harbours." (A communication.) (Complete ecification.) 5250. David M. Somerville, Liverpool. "An improved apparatus for saving life at sea or on other waters, applicable also for other purposes." 5292. Zachariah Oram and Philip B. Grove, Philadelphia, U.S.A. "Improvements in and relating to the construction of ships or vessels with twin propellers." (A communication.) 5322. Samuel W. Snowden, Dublin. "Improvements in screwpropellers." 5329. James Newall and George W. Newall, Canning Town, Essex. "Improvements in screw-propellers." 13. David Parks, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. "Improvements in and relating to ship's sleeping berths." (A communication.) (Complete specification.) 19. Max Nordmann, Junr., Dresden, Saxony. "Improvements in the means and apparatus for steering steamships and other vessels." 141. James Harrold Barry, Limerick. "Improvements in apparatus for turning in and out, lowering and disengaging ship's boats, and for carrying them inboard." 174. Carl Otto Ramstedt, Helsingfors, Finland. "Improvements in signalling at sea by means of illuminated steam, and in apparatus employed therein.” 200. William C. Brown, Sheffield. "Improvements in appliances or apparatus for supporting the human body in water." 202. William B. Thompson, Dundee. "Improvements in apparatus for signalling at sea." 231. Frederick W. Heinke and George Lang, both of Soho, Middlesex. "Improvements in submarine electric lanterns." AMERICAN. 222049. David Huston, Boston, Mass. "Self-levelling berths for vessels." 222111. Theodore D. Wilson, U.S. Navy. "Air ports for for vessels." 222215. Thomas G. Wardwell and Henry A. Currier. for indicating sunken vessels." "Buoys Fastenings for hatches 222407. Amos Johnson, Baltimore. of ships." 222718. James H. McLean, St. Louis, Mo. "A marine torpedo." 49830. W. A. Leggo. 49906. J. Pintsch. 49989. J. Fricot. to vessels in general." 66 BELGIAN. 'Propelling balloons and vessels." "Modifications in lightships." "A rudder with a moveable screw, applicable FRENCH. 131571. Longfellow. "A sea-compass." 131738. Cooper. "An automatic governor for ship propellers." GERMAN. 8653. J. L. Lay, Paris. "Improvement in electric apparatus for steering, controlling, and firing torpedo boats." ITALIAN. 56. G. Della Marroniere, Paris. "A propeller for steamships, torpedoes, &c." 65. E. A. Elaminda, Delft (Holland). "A telegraphic apparatus for ships, and for showing the position of the helm." 91. P. Tagliacozzo, Naples. "A safety anchor." 93. G. E. Balsamo, Lecce. "A propeller for war vessels and merchantmen." 112. J. Chrétien and C. Félix, Paris. "An apparatus worked by electricity at a distance for traction, transporting, shipping and unshipping, mining, agriculture, and navigation." 161. H. Satre, Lyons (France). "A dock boat for transporting other boats." 169. W. B. Barker, Hoboken (America). "A marine safetysignal." 9. J. Billhand, Bordeaux. "A fixed and insubmersive bathboat." VICTORIAN. 2653. Robert Wilcox, Melbourne, Victoria. "Improvements in steam-vessels." 2520/79. Wm. Benjamin Barker, of Hoboken, U.S.A. "An |