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writer, on the 28th of July, 1863, in British Guiana, on the Essequibo. We were then in the closing part of the long wet season, with great sun-heat and heavy showers alternating; and much rain, following thunder, had fallen in the early part of the day. Towards 2h. p.m. the rain-clouds took up, and a brilliant sky opened, such as is often witnessed in South America in the rainy months. Having occasion to ride to plantation on Wakenaam Island, some miles off, to take boat for one of the islands higher up, I came to a spot which commands no view beyond a narrow circle of luxuriant trees and pasture. I beheld the whole scene changed. Before me the land was dwarfed, and Hog Island, from its north-western line, onwards to its north-eastern, was seen, with the channel between. Though a little hazy, I satisfied. myself that the outline was correct, with the tall courada and mangrove trees which gird the beach.

It was a mar

vellous deception, produced probably by strata of air, of unequal density and temperature, not far from the earth. On getting out upon the river, which was very calm, and looking to the north, in the direction opposite to that of the mirage described, I beheld a small island at the mouth of the Essequibo floating, so to speak, in air. This phenomenon I have often seen.

D. P. THOMSON, M.D., J.P., British Guiana.

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F. Fixed. Ff. Fixed and Flashing. R. Revolving. I. Intermitting. Est. Established.

(a.) 46.—The light-vessel has her name painted on her sides, a globe at the mast-head, and is moored in 9 fathoms at low water springs, with St. Bees Head lighthouse bearing N.b.E., distant 38 miles; Walney lighthouse, N.E.b.E. E., 12 miles; foot of Wy yre lighthouse, E. S., 14 miles; Blackpool church, S.E.4 E., 134 miles; Skerries lighthouse, W.S., 511⁄2 miles; Calf of Man lighthouse, N.W.b. W., 51 miles.

All bearings are magnetic. Variation 23° 35′ W. in 1863.

(b.) 49.-The outer light-vessel, named Ruytingen, shows a revolving red light, attaining its greatest brilliancy every half minute. The light is 33 feet above the level of the sea, visible in clear weather from a distance of 10 miles. The vessel is in 4 fathoms water, with Gravelines lighthouse bearing S.E.‡ S., distance 3 miles, and in lat. 51° 3′ 19′′ N., long. 2° 7′ 51′′ E.

The inner light-vessel, named Mardyck, shows a fixed red light, 33 feet above the level of the sea, and visible in clear weather from a distance of 6 miles. The vessel is in 5 fathoms water, with Mardyck church tower bearing S. W., distant 2.4 miles, in lat. 51° 3′ 37′′ N., long. 2° 14′ 12′′ E.

Directions-Bound to Dunkerque Road from the northward bring Gravelines high fixed white light and the Ruytingen revolving red light in line, bearing S.W. S., which will lead between the In Ruytingen and the eastern flats of the Out Ruytingen banks, and westward of the shallow parts of the Middle Dyck and Breedt Banks to the Ruytingen light-vessel. From the westward the Ruytingen and Mardyck floating lights in line lead to Dunkerque Road. The Ruytingen floating revolving red light and Dunkerque revolving white light in one, lead just to the southward of the tail of the West Dyck.

All bearings are magnetic. Variation 20° 0′ West in 1863.

(c.) 51.-The high light is placed at an elevation of 45 feet above the level of high water, and should be seen when bearing from N.b.E. northerly, round by North to W. N.

The low light is placed at an elevation of 27 feet above the level of high water, and should be seen between the bearings of N. W. W. and W.N.W. The two lights seen in line one above the other bearing N.W.b.W.W. lead between the inner Ridge and the Andrews buoys.

The light at Landguard Point changes, as heretofore, from red to white at the Beach End buoy; and a narrow strip of red light strikes the North Shelf buoy on the bearing of N.b. W.

The former lights at Harwich are discontinued.

All bearings are magnetic. Variation 20° 30′ W. in 1863.

NORTH ATLANTIC.-CAPE RACE,-Newfoundland.

In reference to the approaches to Cape Race, and the currents and soundings off that headland, the following additional information has been communicated to the Admiralty by Captain J. Orlebar, R.N.

Currents. Although the current between the Grand Bank and Newfoundland commonly sets to the W.S.W., sometimes at a rate of nearly one mile per hour, it is not always so, and near the shore, in moderate weather it even changes with the tide. At these times during the flood it runs to the S. W., and during the ebb to the N.E., the former being the stronger. Westward of Cape Race, it must also be remembered that, the current so frequently setting to the N.W., one mile per hour in the offing is not invariable in strength or direction, but is affected greatly by the prevailing wind. It is observed generally to run in upon the eastern side of the great bays indenting the South coast of Newfoundland, and out on their western side. the offing it is influenced by the winds, and near the shore it is also altered and influenced by the tides; so that during spring tides, the stream of ebb runs weakly to the S.E., and the stream of flood to the N.W., the latter sometimes two miles per hour round the headlands.

In

Directions.-Vessels coming from the eastward in thick weather, if sounding carefully, will probably strike the Ballard Bank, which is parallel to the shore and about fifteen miles long, varying from one to five miles across. A careful comparison of the soundings thus obtained with those on the new Admiralty chart, will show the position of the vessel with sufficient accuracy to enable the navigator to round Cape Race without danger.

For instance, if after sounding in about 80 fathoms and one cast of comparatively shoal water, that is from 30 to 12 fathoms should be obtained, and afterwards the depth increases to 40 fathoms, it may be concluded that the vessel has passed over the narrow part of the Ballard Bank, and is to the northward of the cape, and the course should be changed accordingly.

But if shoal water under 30 fathoms continue for five miles, and then deepens slightly, and again becomes shoal, the vessel may be safely concluded to be on the southern part of the bank, and therefore South of Cape Race, and her course to the westward may be continued with confidence.

A vessel from the westward in thick weather may round Cape Pine and Cape Race with perfect safety, if only attention be given to the lead. The water shoals gradually to the shore, and at the distance of ten miles there is not more than 40 fathoms, so that maintaining a depth of more than 30 fathoms no risk can be incurred.

It is to be regretted that there is no well marked difference in the nature of the soundings off these headlands that would show the position of a vessel, the bottom being generally rock, with shells of the sea egg, grey sand and small stones predominating.

The following dangers have been determined in position by Captain Orlebar, R.N., during the summer of 1863. The following bearings are by compass. Variation 30° W.

Newfoundland,-Cape Spear to Cape Race.

Bay Bulls, Magotty Rock,-6 feet water, lies half a mile from the head of the harbour, and half a cable E.b.S. from the gravel beach of Magotty Cove.

Man-of-war Rock,-9 feet water, lies one cable S.S.E. from the S.E. point of Green Island.

Offer Rock,-6 fathoms water, lies S.b. W. a mile and a tenth from Cape Neddick.

Horse Rock,-5 fathoms water, lies E.b.S. four cables from the North part of Cape Broyle.

Old Harry,-2 fathoms water, lies S.E. & S. five and a half cables from the North part of Cape Broyle.

Cape Broyle Harbour Rock,-2 fathoms water, lies W.N.W. six and a half cables from the North point of the Narrows of Cape Broyle Harbour.

Burns-Head Rock,-24 fathoms water, lies W. & N. three and half cables from the southern part of the Hare's Ears, and one and a half cables from the shore.

Crow-Island Rock,-2 fathoms water, lies S.E.b. E. one and a half cables from the East end of Crow Island.

Bear Rock,-3 fathoms water, lies S. E. one cable from the North point of Bearcove Point.

Sunkers,-4 feet water, lies S.W. one and three quarter cables from the South point of Bearcove Point.

Renewse Harbour.-In the Sailing Directions heretofore published, the North shore of this harbour is directed to be kept aboard; this is a mistake, for all the dangers are on that side, the South shore being free from dangers.

Kettlebottom,-6 feet water, lies South two and a half cables from the northern head of Renewse.

Whitehorse Rock,-2 fathoms water, lies N.b. W. one and a half cables from Shag Rock.

Cripple Rock,-15 feet water, lies W.b.S. S. a mile and three quarters from Cape Race Lighthouse.

Shingle Rock,-6 fathoms water, lies S.E.b.E. one mile from Mistaken Point.

Another rock, with 6 or 7 fathoms water, has been observed by the lighthouse keeper to break occasionally after very heavy weather, about a mile S. W. S. from the lighthouse.

JACK REEF,*-Indian Ocean,—Does not exist.

Contract S.S. Nemesis, Point de Galle, October 4th, 1863. Sir, I have the honour to make the following report for the information of the Secretary of the Admiralty and Hydrographer. In the month of August last there appeared in a Colombo paper the following statement:

"Shoal between Aden and Galle.-Captain Jack, of the barque Eddystone, recently arrived at Colombo from Aden, reports the discovery on the morning of the 11th inst. (August) of a new and dangerous shoal in lat. 10° 10′ N., and long. 63° 40′ E. It appeared to him to be a patch above water about two miles in extent, resembling a recent coral formation. The Eddystone passed close to this reef, and got soundings, ten, nine, eight, and seven fathoms respectively. This discovery is of material importance, as the above bearings would place the shoal immediately in the track of steamers running between Galle and Aden."

On the 24th of August last, at 7h. 30m. a.m., in fine weather, with a clear visible horizon, the wind being S.W., the Nemesis passed over the spot indicated. No shoal was seen, but patches of discoloured water were observed, in which no bottom was found with eighty-five fathoms.

Deeming it of great national importance that the newspaper report should, as far as possible under the circumstances, be either confirmed or refuted, it was with my full concurrence that the commander of

* See page 616.

the Nemesis, on the 30th September, made that more lengthened search, which the exigencies of the public service had not permitted to be done on the 24th August.

With reference to the track chart sent herewith, I note the following:-4h. 50m. a.m., September 30th, 1863. Lat. by Capella, 10° 10' N., long. by account, 62° 51' E. Steered S. 88° E., thirty-five miles. 8h. a.m., long. chronometer, 63° 24', lat. by account, 10° 11′ N., steered East, sixteen miles. 9h. 45m., long. by chron., 63° 40′, lat. by account, 10° 11' N., ten miles. Noon, lat. by obs., 10° 18′ N., long. by chron., 63° 40′ E., steered South, eight miles. 1h. p.m. steered S. E. five miles. 1h. 30m.-N.E., five miles; and at 2h. p.m. steered S. 88° E., sixteen miles: at 3h. 30m. p.m. shaped course for Galle.

As on the previous date, long dark patches of discoloured water, greenish and purple, were seen; but no shoal, though the eye extended over a radius of at least ten miles, from every position noted in the chart, the wind blowing a moderate breeze from the northward, and the horizon remarkably clear and visible.

I concur with the opinion of the commander of the Nemesis that no such reported shoal exists.

I beg to state that the above service has been performed without causing any inconvenience or delay to the public service in the transmission of the mails.

I am, &c.,

HENRY B. KING, Commander, R.N., and
Naval Agent attached to Nemesis.

To Captain C. G. E. Patey, R.N.,
Superintendent of Packets.

SPANISH NAVAL PAPER.-We have received the first two numbers of the Gaceta Maritima of Madrid, which appears to be an official publication of the Spanish Minister of Marine, containing accounts of the maritime and mercantile affairs, as well as colonial, of Spain. It promises to be a most valuable publication, and we hail its appearance with satisfaction, promising ourselves much interesting matter from its columns. It is a novelty of its kind, for it is long since we have seen any attempt at a periodical publication devoted as this is to maritime affairs from the archives of Madrid. We cordially wish it success in its appearance every fifth day of the month.

END OF VOL. XXXII.

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