to trouble you to follow them closely; they are, in fact, merely intended to indicate to you the form which the investigation has assumed at this Board.

I am, Sir, &c.,

ALEX. CUNNINGHAM, Sec.

Cupt. Becher, R.N., H.M.S Mastiff, Kincardine.

H.M.S. Mastiff, Alloa, Frith of Forth, Jan. 28th, 1848. SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the 10th inst., forwarding to me certain questions on the subject of lighting the northern isles of Orkney; and requesting the opinions of the officers of the Mastiff, along with my own, on that subject.

In answering the above questions, for the sake of perspicuity, I will transfer them to this communication, and follow them with the answers, which after due consideration, I have been led to adopt; adding thereto, in conclusion, such other remarks as may appear to suggest themselves; and the letters of Lieut. Thomas, and Mr. Wells, the master of this ship, whose long experience of the navigation of the Orkney Islands, may, probably, render their opinions of more importance than my own.

"1. What is the best position for a light in the northern isles of Orkney, having in view solely the general interests of navigation, and without reference to the existence of the light at Start Point?"

North Ronaldsha being the northernmost land of Orkney, round which vessels pass and repass, both east and west, appears to me as the most proper place for a good sea-light for the northern isles of Orkney.

"2. Considering the lowness of the Sanda land, and its easterly projection, the set and strength of the tides, and the number of shipwrecks which occurred on the Start Point, after the light was exhibited on North Ronaldsha; does any modification of the opinion to be given in answer to the preceding question appear to be required?"

The extraordinary low and flat character of the Sanda land, particularly about the Start Point, on which a light now stands, and the peculiar set and great strength of the tides in its vicinity, adding to its danger, are sufficient reasons why it should be avoided by seamen; a good light on North Ronaldsha, would assist them in doing so.

By a register of wrecks which I obtained at Sanda last summer, it appears that since January, 1806, when the Start light was established, there have been

Wrecked on Sanda

Ditto on North Ronaldsha

Total

26 vessels.

21 66

+7

Since June, 1809, when the light on North Ronaldsha was suppressed, leaving the Start light as the only one on the northern isles of Orkney, there have been

From which it does not appear that such diminution of wrecks as might have been expected, has taken place by the removal of the light from North Ronaldsha to the Start; but that the number of wreeks on North Ronaldsha, in proportion to its extent of coast line, is far greater than those of Sanda.

"3. If North Ronaldsha should be considered as the most desirable site for the great sea light; would it be necessary to retain the light at Start Point; as well as from a consideration of the various reasons which induced the Commissioners to remove the light from North Ronaldsha to that place, in 1806, as from the long familiarity of seamen with the present light on Start Point?"

The familiarity of seamen with the Start light, should secure its continuance, even in case of a light being re-established on North Ronaldsha; and as this is a revolving light, if one is placed on North Ronaldsha, it should be a fixed light, and they could not then be mistaken for each other. With the Start light, and one on Dennis-Ness of North Ronaldsha, by cross bearings, ships could always determine their correct positions, an advantage which, to outward bound ships, for a good departure, would be of immense value, and should go far towards deciding in favour of a light on that island.

"4. Would a subsidiary light answer at North Ronaldsha, in conjunction with an improved light at Start Point? This question more particularly implies a consideration of the circumstance, that the present characteristic appearance of the Start light, with which seamen are familiar, admits of a great exercise of power and range, without any change of character; so that the light would, equally with the one on North Ronaldsha, serve as a distant guide for over-sea vessels, while a new subsidiary light on North Ronaldsha, would indicate precisely the mariner's position, as to the northern extremity of the Archipelago."

I think it would be injudicious to place a secondary, or subsidiary light on North Ronaldsha, a point which a seaman should have the chance of seeing as soon as possible. The present light on the Start might serve as a subsidiary light. Vessels from the westward must risk too near an approach to the Runabrake, and the western shores of North Ronaldsha, to come within ten miles of the Start light, so that it is of no great service to them. But were a light on North Ronaldsha, vessels might safely run for it, when two or three miles to the northward of its parallel, without danger, and with the certainty of making it. In fact, if two lights be determined on, they should be on Dennis-Ness of North Ronaldsha and the Start Point of Sanda, and that of Dennis-Ness, should be a light of the most superior kind: but if one light only be determined on, that at the Start should remain.

* A list of these wrecks will be found in our April Number, p. 298.-ED.

"5. Would notices, repeated several years, render any change of the existing light, whether as to its character, or its entire cessation, a safe or advisable measure."

It would certainly be a safer measure, to make no change in the existing light, than to do otherwise, although any ill effect resulting from a change in the establishment, or character of lights, ought to be avoided, by notices of such intended change, being sent throughout the world by every proper channel, and allowing them due time for arrival and circulation.

"6. As several efficient distinctions might be adopted between two lights on that coast, does it appear desirable, or otherwise, to add a second light at North Ronaldsha, which is only nine miles off from Start Point?"

Considering that the Start light should not be disturbed, rather than leave North Ronaldsha without a light, it is desirable there should be two lights, although they would not be seven miles apart from each other. In conclusion, it may be observed:—

1st. That the greatest number of wrecks on Sanda, to which I have alluded, have occurred on the northern shores of that island, besides a greater number of wrecks in proportion to its size and extent, still occurring on North Ronaldsha.

2ndly. That the point of Dennis-Ness, the site of the present beacon on North Ronaldsha, is the easternmost land of Orkney, having been found by the recent survey to bear true N. 0° 40′ 55′′ E. of the Start of Sanda, the distance from the Start placing it about 150 yards east of the meridian of the latter.

The whole subject might, no doubt, offer further arguments for reasoning upon; but the foregoing have appeared to me sufficient to arrive at the conclusion, that the best position for the light on the northern isles of Orkney, is on Dennis-Ness of North Ronaldsha; that the present light on the Start, as a sea-light, is deprived of half its value, being of no use to vessels coming from the westward; but from having been long established, it should remain as a revolving light, whether it be determined to have a light on North Ronaldsha or not: and that a light on Dennis-Ness (which should be a fixed light,*) along with the present revolving light on the Start, would be preferable, for the reasons which have been already stated.

I have the honor to be, &c.,'

A. B. BECHER, Commanding H.M.S. Mastiff.

To A. Cunningham, Esq., Northern Light Office.

SIR.

H.M. Cutter, Woodlark, Alloa, 25th Jan., 1848. Agreeably to your request, I beg to offer the following remarks in reply to some questions proposed for your consideration by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses.

Since determined to be a flashing light, that of Sunburgh Head, of Shetland, being a fixed light, for which it might be mistaken.

As a general rule, a lighthouse is most advantageously placed upon the turning points in navigation, and it would at first appear that the northern extremity of North Ronaldsha is the best position for a light; but this is assuming that there is only one angle to be made in the course of those ships that have to pass the Orkneys, or that there is not a point of greater danger to be guarded against. If it can be shown that the Start Point in Sanda is more dangerous to shipping than Dennis-Ness, I presume it to be sufficient reason for retaining it there. The most obvious advantage of a light upon Dennis-Ness is, that ships coming from the open sea would endeavour to get upon its parallel, or a few miles to the northward of it, and steer boldly to the eastward or westward, confident of seeing the light before they could get on shore upon North Ronaldsha; but the necessity for a light upon this place is qualified by the fact, that during daylight the hills of Westra may be seen a distance of 25 miles, by ships approaching from the northward or westward, and in the night time, the Start Point is visible over the low land of Sanda, after passing the Moul Head of Papa Westra, but this is admitted to be an insufficient guide for vessels to clear North Ronaldsha.

Again, vessels coming from the eastward have Fair Island lying in their track, which may be seen a distance of 35 miles, and by night the Start light points out the eastern extremity of Orkney, which is but 7 miles from Dennis-Ness. If it be assumed that the range of vision is limited by the state of the weather to a circle of 3 or 4 miles, and that a ship might run upon North Ronaldsha without seeing the Start, it must be remembered that the converse would apply to a light exhibited upon Dennis-Ness, at that time, and that in fact when the atmosphere is so thick as to prevent lights from being seen, it is of little consequence to the mariner where they are placed.

A light upon North Ronaldsha, is no guide to vessels coming from the westward upon a parallel to the southward of that island.

Now concerning the light upon the Start, it fails altogether in assuring the mariner at what time he is clear of the Orkneys. Nevertheless, it is my opinion, that (there being but one light) it should be retained there in preference to removing it to Dennis-Ness; for the majority of ships, bound to the westward, approach these islands from the southward, and to them a light upon the Start is of more importance than one upon Dennis-Ness.

The eastern extremity of Sanda lying very low, and jutting out into long points, which are scarcely above the level of extraordinary springtides, and these points enclosing deep sandy bays from which a vessel has but little chance of escaping with an on-shore wind, renders this island the most dangerous spot in Orkney, and, consequently, the more necessary to be distinguished.

Suppose the light to be placed upon North Ronaldsha, no master of a ship would venture to run for it, knowing it must be made at the distance of 9 miles, and with a long low point, and an extensive reef lying right in his track, and thus one of the most obvious advantages of

a light would be lost; so that after due consideration, I am clearly of opinion, that if there is but one light to be shewn in the North Isles of Orkney, it will be most advisable, (that is it would prevent most shipwrecks,) by being retained upon the Start. But, I hope, from what has been stated, that the necessity will be apparent for another light, in addition, to be placed on Dennis-Ness, for the general interest of navigation; and should that be decided upon, I see no reason why the latter should not be the most conspicuous, and that upon the Start subsidiary.

I have the honour to be, &c.

F. W. L. THOMAS, Lieut. Com. H.M. Cutter, Woodlark, tender to H.M.S. Mastiff.

To A. B. Becher, Esq., Com. R.N.

H.M. Surveying Vessel, Mastiff, Allou, 24th Jan., 1848. SIR,-In accordance with your orders, requesting me to furnish my opinion, in reply to the questions proposed for your consideration by the Commissioners of Northern Lights, I beg most respectfully to submit the following, viz.:

1. I consider North Ronaldsha to be the best position for a light, in the North Isles of Orkney, having as stated the general interests of navigation in view; principally from its being the rounding point for all vessels, and its making a direct feature, in pointing out one side of the channel, formed by it and Fair Island; also that vessels from the southward, having a much shorter distance from their departures, would not have the same difficulty to contend with, in making a light, as in the case of those from the westward.

2. No modification required. Due notices being issued, would prevent the recurrence of shipwrecks.

3. If the great sea-light were to be erected on North Ronaldsha, a light on the Start would be of great service, as it would enable vessels, with strong north-westerly winds, (if bound northerly.) to ply about under the lee of Sanda, and particularly, in waiting for the flood expending itself.

4. Should a secondary light be deemed necessary, (for the foregoing reasons contained in reply to question 1,) I consider the Start should be the subsidiary one, and a different formed building.

5. Yes.

6. Desirable.

I am, Sir, your's obediently,

J. S. WELLS, Master.

To A. B. Becher, Esq., Com. R.N.

I send you some more reasons, Mr. Editor, why the light proposed by me on North Ronaldsha, should be established; but I little thought that the correctness of the opinion which I had formed would be so soon NO. 6.-VOL. XVII.

2 R