it shall be held with the assistance of not less than two Assessors having experience in the Merchant Service. (39 & 40 Vict., c. 80.)

Now under the authority of the above-mentioned Acts, I, The Right Honourable Hugh MacCalmont, Earl Cairns, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, hereby make the following General Rules :

Short Title.

1. These Rules may be cited as "The Shipping Casualties Rules, 1879."

Commencement.

2. These Rules shall, subject as hereinafter mentioned, come into operation on the 24th day of December, 1879.

Publication of Rules.

3. These Rules shall be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office through its agents, and a copy shall be kept at every Custom House and Mercantile Marine Office in the United Kingdom, and any person desiring to peruse them there shall be entitled to do so.

Appointment of Assessors.

4. The power of appointing Assessors for investigations into Shipping Casualties shall be vested in the Secretary of State.

5. If any investigation involves, or appears likely to involve, the cancelling or suspension of the Certificate of a Master, Mate or Engineer, then, in order to satisfy the aforesaid statutory requirement of not less than two Assessors having experience in the Merchant Service there shall be appointed from the list not less than two Assessors from Class I. and Class II., or from either of those classes.

6. Subject to any special appointment or appointments which the Secretary of State may think it expedient to make in any case where special circumstances appear to him to require a departure from these Rules (the requirements of the Rule 5 being always complied with), Assessors shall be appointed as follows:

(1.) Where the investigation involves, or appears likely to involve, the cancelling or suspension of the Certificate of a Master or Mate, but not of an Engineer, at least two Assessors shall be appointed from Class I.

(2.) Where the investigation involves, or appears likely to in

volve, the cancelling or suspension of the Certificate of a Master or Mate of a sailing ship one at least of the Assessors shall be appointed from sub-section (a) of Class I., and where the investigation involves, or appears likely to involve, the cancelling or suspension of the Certificate of a Master or Mate of a steamship one at least of the Assessors shall be appointed from sub-section (b) of Class I.

(3.) Where the investigation involves, or appears likely to involve, the cancelling or suspension of the Certificate of

an Engineer one at least of the Assessors shall be appointed from Class II.

7. The Board of Trade shall inform the Secretary of State when Assessors are required, and shall state from which of the aforesaid classes Assessors ought, in their opinion, to be appointed, in order to give due effect to the aforesaid classification and these Rules but the Board of Trade shall not request the appointment of any individual Assessor.

8. An appointment made by the Secretary of State of any Assessor or Assessors for an investigation shall not be open to question on the ground that it was not in accordance with these Rules, or does not give full effect to the requirements of these Rules.

9. Whereas it is necessary to make temporary provision for the appointment of Assessors until the classification referred to in these Rules can be effected. Therefore, Rules 5 to 7 (both inclusive) shall not come into operation until the 31st of March, 1880, and until those Rules come into operation the statutory requirements as to the appointment in certain cases of two Assessors having experience in the Merchant Service shall be deemed to be complied with by the appointment of persons who, in the existing list, appear as qualified by service in the Mercantile Navy.

Dated this 20th day of December, 1879.

CAIRNS, C.

NAUTICAL

NOTICES.

All Bearings Magnetic, unless otherwise stated.

1.-ENGLAND.-Entrance to the Thames.—Alteration in the Character of the Light at the North Foreland.-During the month of May, 1880, the light at the North Foreland will be made occulting. At and after that time, the light will, once in every half-minute, suddenly disappear for five seconds, and then as suddenly reappear at full power. Further notice will be issued.

2.-ENGLAND.-Entance to the River Thames.-Gas Buoy at East Oaze.-Early in the month of January, 1880, the present East Oaze Buoy will be replaced by a buoy lighted by gas. Mariners are cautioned to be particularly careful to avoid colliding with the said buoy, as by sudden contact the light may be extinguished.

3.-ENGLAND.-South Coast-Alteration in the Colours and Character of the Light on Plymouth Breakwater.-During the month of May, 1880, the colours of the light on the Plymouth Breakwater will be changed from red to white towards the sea, and from white to red towards the anchorage. At and after that time the light will show white from E. by S. S. round south and west to N.E. E. from the lighthouse, on a line with the Melampus buoy, and red within the anchorage. Also, the character of the light will be changed from fixed to occulting, whereby the light will, once in every half-minute suddenly disappear for three seconds, and as suddenly reappear at full power. Further notice will be issued.

4.-ENGLAND-West Coast.-River Severn.-The Trinity House, London, has sanctioned the establishment of the following lights near Sharpness docks, and at Severn Bridge, River Severn :

(1.) Sharpness Docks.-A fixed white tidal light on the north pier head of the tidal basin entrance, to be exhibited when the state of the tide renders it necessary to guard against passing vessels striking the pier. Also a fixed red light on the high land northeastward of the pier, to be shown only when specially required. (2.) Severn Bridge.-A fixed red light on the centre pier between the two wide arches, and a white light at the landward extremity of each wide arch, to be shown on each side of the bridge.

of

5.-SCOTLAND.-East Coast.-Peterhead-Discontinuance South Harbour Light and Closing of South Harbour.-Closed to shipping, pending harbour improvements.

6.-SCOTLAND.-West Coast.-River Clyde.-Discontinuance of Light in Gourock Bay. The floating swimming bath has been removed and the fixed white light marking it is discontinued.

7.—IRELAND.—North-east Coast.-Antrim.-Hunter Rock, near Entrance to Lough Larne.-Proposed Change of Buoyage.-As soon as possible after April 1st, 1880, it is intended to replace the present wreck buoy, 40 fathoms N. by E. of Hunter rock, by a first class conical buoy, with a staff and cage, painted black, and marked "North Hunter Rock." At the same time the present first class can buoy, 40 fathoms S. by W. of Hunter Rock, will be replaced by a first class conical buoy, painted black, and marked "South Hunter Rock."

8.-IRELAND.-West Coast.-Galway Bay.-Aran Islands.—As soon as possible after April 1st, 1880, it is intended to alter the colour of the lighthouse towers of the Aran Islands. That on Aran Island, north (or Eeragh Island), will be painted white, with two red horizontal belts on shaft of tower. That on Aran Island, south (or Inisheer Island), will be painted white, with one broad red belt, 28 feet in width, on shaft of tower.

9.-NORTH SEA.-Ems River.-Light on Borkum Island.--The new lighthouse is completed, and on 15th November, 1879, the light would be exhibited. It is a fixed and flashing light, showing a flash every two minutes, preceded and followed by an eclipse; elevated 207 feet above high water, and visible from a distance of 21 miles. At the distance of from 14 to 16 miles a faint continuous light is seen. Position, lat. 53° 35′ 25′′ N., long. 6° 39′ 45" E.

Note. The old lighthouse kept in line with the new lighthouse leads through a straight channel of 4 fathoms at low water.

10.-NORTH SEA.-Ems River.-Borkum Flat Light-Vessel, Alteration in Fog-Signal.-A fog-horn (syren) has been established, which during thick and foggy weather will give a blast of five seconds' duration every minute.

11.-FRANCE.-North Coast.-Portrieux Light.-Alteration in