successively encountered by ships pursuing this route; first, the Polar current along the grand bank, but not extending within the stream of Newfoundland; they may feel this to 54° or 55° W.; and second, a due west current along the south coast to the stream of the western coast of Newfoundland, (say in line with Cape St. George and Cape Ray); andÌ third, the out set of the Gulf deflected to the southward by its accessions from the north, along the western coast of Newfoundland; and also by the westerly current along the south coast.

I believe that the erroneous application of the Polar current (when they were to the westward of it) have led those vessels to estimate their position too far southward, and they have been unexpectedly brought in contact with the indrafts, &c., up the coast, and thus thrown on shore; whilst others have detected the non-existence of the Polar current, and imagined that they had no current, while the westerly current was carrying them ahead of their account, and bringing them unexpectedly in contact with the southerly out-set of the Gulf, and thus thrown them upon the coast of Cape Breton Island, when they thought themselves in a fairway to St. Pauls.

Polar current. I have repeatedly found this current very regular, but not exceeding twelve miles per day, on outward spring passages, though no doubt it is at times much stronger at that time. In the month of August, during a continuance of very fine weather, I have found no Polar current, both by observation and fishermen at anchor.; but always found my latitude by account, and observation to agree between the streams of Newfoundland as before given, and frequently found myself carried to the westward within those limits.

Making St.Pauls Island.-What I have found the most dangerous to a stranger in those ports is, making St. Pauls Island with the first of an easterly wind, and thick weather. In this case the ship is likely to be ahead by the westerly current, while this current may cause a greater deflection to the southward of the outset current of the Gulf, so that it runs almost directly across the entrance at St. Pauls Island. Captain Bayfield's remarks would lead you to anticipate this, but those remarks do not extend to currents beyond St. Pauls, and seamen's suspicions are apt to be lulled by finding the account and observations to have agreed for several days. I have, under such circumstances, more than once found myself disagreeably near to Cape North, when I intended to have passed to the northward of St. Pauls, and in one instance I had advanced with light westerly winds to within fifty miles of St. Pauls, with no error in my latitude in the space mentioned, when the wind veered to the eastward with haze and fog. I kept well up to endeavour to get soundings on the parallel coast of Newfoundland eastward of Cape Ray, and got 80 fathoms; and kept away under the two topsails, intending to creep on by soundings to St. Pauls, but the weather clearing a little I was surprised to find myself passing between Cape North and St. Pauls, and at 1 P.M., by cross bearings I found my latitude by land 26′ S. of that by account in twenty-five hours. I do not consider those currents as permanent, but as being mutable, and much influenced by local cir

cumstances, and some of those circumstances we cannot estimate the effects of. It is the erroneous extension of the Polar current, that I would have guarded against, and for strangers to be upon their guard (when they lose the influence of that current,) against the westerly current, and then the southerly outset of the Gulf.

I trust that I have said enough to shew that a new survey of those parts is very requisite, that the soundings may be relied upon, and they are too often the only available guide; celestial observations being prevented by fogs when they are most required. And that some data may be obtained for estimating the currents beyond the Gulf, as Capt. Bayfield has given for those within it.

Marine Barometer.-Knowing from experience that this valuable instrument can be made so that implicit confidence may be placed in it, I have been mortified at finding only one tube out of three (that I had in the same case) on which I could depend. And, again, another which would not fall until the gale was actually upon us, and was consequently useless, except that it would then pretty nearly when we had the weight of the gale. Thus having only one tube out of four which was good, I am anxious to know whether this arose from some negligence on the part of the opticians, or whether there be some nice point in the principle of their construction which is not well understood.

March 30th, A.M., civil time, overcast atmosphere with drizzling rain, in second reefs of topsails, jib, and mizen; but although the barometers did not indicate worse weather than I had prepared for, yet between 9 A.M., and noon it came on so heavy with hard squalls and rain, that we were reduced to the two close-reefed topsails, and it did not abate any thing before 9 P.M., when the wind had veered to N.W.b.N., and the atmosphere more clear, the barometers only fell to 29-20, while the same instruments under similar circumstances of atmosphere, direction, and force of the wind, had previously fallen as low as 28.50.

During the night of the 22nd, civil time, we were again reduced to the close-reefed topsails and reefed foresail; wind W.S.W.; cloudy with rain, and the baroineters at 29.90. During this gale we had a heavy sea, about four points to the northward of the wind, or W.N.W. This wild weather was succeeded by light airs and calms, with foggy weather, position 50 to 100 miles northward of Cape Finisterre: again on the night of the 26th, civil time, it blew a heavy gale with violent squalls between the N. and N.N.W., which was not indicated by the barometers. They have been carefully attended to and found to rise and fall together; the only difference being that mine always stood half a tenth above the ship's. The Nautical Almanac shews full moon 19d. 9h. 19m., and the sun crossed the equator at about 23h. 10m. on the 19th, astronomical time.

Are those irregularities attributable to lunar and solar influences? the instruments have otherwise proved good in very wild changeable weather. Some seamen carry their ideas of lunar influences to an unlimited extent, and they are occasionally referred to by scientific men. I should like to

NO. 8.-VOL. XVII.

3 н

know through the medium of your Magazine, how far lunar influences are likely to affect the winds, and the action of the barometer.

The action of the barometer within the Tropic of Cancer.-We crossed the tropic at 30° W., and our course trending to the southward At 22° N., the trade winds south-easterly frequently very light with calms occasionally in the evening. I observed here that the barometer fell from 08 to one-tenth of an inch every afternoon, between noon and 4 P.M., but the rise again was very gradual; it had generally risen half by 8 A.M., and got up by noon to the height which it had fallen from noon height 30.05 inches. Thence to 48° or 49° W.; at 211 N. the winds were E and E.N.E., more steady and fresher about No. 6; the same action of the instrument continued. But at that point or between 48° and 52° W., the tropic and 20° N. a remarkable baffle took place in the winds, flying about between the N. and S. round by E., in light breezes with calms, (I have twice before experienced the winds westerly in this space at a No. 6 breeze,) both the sea and sky in and after passing this space, thence to the tropic at 60° W., became less tropical. Very perfect and far-spread clouds No. 1, cirrus or curl clouds, with less perfect forms of Nos. 2 to 7 collectively cirrostratus or wave clouds. It occasionally became overcast with showers of rain. The regular action of the barometer ceased, it ranged between 30 and 30.10 inches, but quite irregular, although between 54° and 60° W. the strength and force of the winds were very like the first section between 30° and 38° W: At 26° N. and 62° W. we had the most perfectly formed No. 8 cloud cirrostratus that I ever saw, and with easterly winds light and moderate, we gradually passed into the regular northern sky, sea, &c. Off Bermuda baulked by north-westerly after strong southerly winds and a dark rainy night, the light excellent: another on St. Davids would make it complete.

The defects which I have here pointed out, I have myself found very detrimental, and as others in the same position may experience the same defects, I trust these remarks may be useful. Should you think them worthy of a place in your valuable journal, from which I have derived much information and amusement, I should feel obliged by their inser

tion.

To the Editor N.M.

RICHARD LEIGHTON, Commander of the Royal Adelaide.

PACIFIC NAVIGATION,-From the Sandwich Islands to Valparaiso.* Extract from the remarks of Mr. H. Thompson, late Master of H.M.S. Talbot,

(Concluded from page, 342.)

THE passage from the Sandwich Islands to Valparaiso occupied sixty

*ON Sunday October 23rd, 1836 a destructive tempest occurred at Valparaiso. A succession of fine serene days had given promise of the arrival of that season wherein nothing but the usually settled dry weather and customary

days. As far as the equator the winds ranged between E.N.E., and S.E., but principally well to the southward of east which prevented our crossing the line farther east than the 154th degree of west longitude. We experienced a current more or less every day setting to the southward, after passing the equator the winds still continued to range as above, but somewhat stronger than when to the northward; the current now took a more northerly direction about W.N.W., and the rate about half a mile an hour.

Flints Island. On the 13th of September we passed in sight of Flints Island, the position of which deduced from a compass bearing and the estimated distance, I conceive to be in latitude 11° 28' 0" S., and longitude 151° 48' west of Greenwich, this I can venture to say is within five or six miles of the truth. It is very low and cannot be seen far off. Peregrino Island.-On the 15th of September passed very near the spot where Peregrino is marked on the chart, but saw it not.

We began to lose the trade wind in latitude 22° south from which to Valparaiso the winds were exceedingly irregular. In latitude 31° south we had strong breezes for three days from E.N.E., and then from S.E., three days longer. In my opinion we were not far enough to the southward, if we had gone as far south as the fortieth degree we should have made a shorter passage. The best passage known from the Sandwich Islands to Valparaiso was made in forty-two days by a small American brig, she crossed the trades with a topmast studding sail set, then kept well to the southward, where she met with strong westerly winds, which continued with but little interruption till her arrival at Valparaiso.

Mas à Fuera.-On the 20th of October passed near the island of Mas à fuera. This island as I stated in my remark book of last year, is incorrectly laid down in all our charts, its position according to my observations in passing it on this occasion is in longitude 80° 56′ 30′′

southerly wind is anticipated; in full confidence of which, vigilance had perhaps become relaxed, the barometrical and other indications overlooked or disregarded.

On Friday evening October 21st, the lightning about the mountainous regions eastward of Valparaiso was most remarkably vivid and continuous, and accompanied with some thunder. The welkin in general remained free from cloud, but immense masses appeared stagnant upon the mountains, aud a dense fog-bank settled along the sea horizon.

On Saturday the same weather continued; the wind light or moderate from the northward. At 3h. 30m. P.M., a smart shock of an earthquake took place, and in three minutes after a more severe one followed, which was general on the heights about the town, as well as on the low ground of the Almendral, which is not usual, for slight shocks are frequent on the plain, which are not felt on the elevated positons. The night set in cloudy, turbid and obscure, with a moderate northerly breeze, and falling barometer.

Before midnight the wind increased, the sea became much agitated, the surf on the beach unusually so; its hollow noise was deafening to a considerable distance, and so totally disproportioned to the wind, that it was considered more the effect of the afternoon shock than the precursor of a visitation

West of Greenwich. Error of chronometers corrected and reduced back on our arrival at Valparaiso four days afterwards.

From Valparaiso to Central America.

The Talbot sailed from Valparaiso on the 1st of November, and anchored in Port de la Union (Central America) on the 26th without any remarkable occurrence. The currents in the vicinity of the equator and crossing the bay of Panama varied considerably both in direction and velocity. The winds were favourable though light till after crossing the equator, which we did on the 16th in longitude 83° 30' 00" West of Greenwich. We then had light variable winds and calms, thunder, lightning, heavy squalls and rain till we had passed Cape Blanco, when we were favoured with a fresh north-easter out of the Gulf of Papagayo which took us to the entrance of the Gulf of Fonseca.

Gulf of Fonseca.-We entered this Gulf on the 26th of November and anchored off the watering place in Chicarene Bay for the purpose of completing our water with greater despatch, as by anchoring here instead of the inner harbour it saved the boats employed on that service a pull of at least three miles with each turn of water. This anchorage is perfectly safe during the fine season, viz: from May till November, as the only strong winds during that period are off the land from the northward, and consequently cause no sea, but during the remaining months the inner harbour of Port de la Union ought to be resorted to. Supplies of every kind are scarce and dear, except beef, which is tolerably cheap and good. Water is good and abundant.

Port Acajutla.

The distance from la Union to Port Acajutla is about 115 miles, a moderate day's sail, but owing to exceedingly light and baffling winds it cost us three days and a half.

unknown for a number of years. His Majesty's sloop Sparrowhawk, then at anchor in the port, and some few of the merchant vessels, made proper precautions for bad weather, but far the greater part of the shipping were seen, when daylight set in on the 23rd, to have taken no precaution whatever.

At daybreak on the 23rd, it blew moderately at N.b.W., or right into the port; a very heavy swell rolling in, and two or three boats were swamped at the jetty in attempting to land. Towards eight o'clock some smart rain fell, and thick hazy weather set in. The wind also had rapidly increased to a strong gale. At this time the Chileno brig Cinco de Abril, at anchor off the Almendral, in about six fathoms, was surrounded with broken water, which in bad weather occurs some distance off shore, and her case was already hopeless; she commenced driving before 8h. 30m, and by 10h. A.M., was thrown upon the beach, amid a most furious surf, which in 84 minutes washed her to atoms. Her crew, except one drowned, escaped by means of a line secured on shore, which had been got there with great difficulty, although this vessel was thrown well up on the beach.

At 8h. 40m. the American ship William Byrne, on the point of sailing for Guyaquil, and lying in seven fathoms, a short distance from that part denominated Cape Horn, began to drive. She then sent down her top-gallant