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towards the tail of the Western Sea Reef, and the nature of the bottom (as distinguished from that of the Hooghly deposit, which is sand and mud, with shining specks) is a gravelly substance composed of sand, shells, and small pebbles discharged from the 'Kunka', and other rivers near Point Palmyras, the lighter material of which, being carried further out, is deposited, and forms what is called the Pilot's Ridge', which, in crossing to the northwestward shows a little less water than on either side. In coming from seaward, you shoal rather suddenly from 28 to 23 fathoms, upon its eastern edge. It is composed of a shelly sand, or minute gravel, of a reddish or rusty brown colour.

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"The best guide, therefore, to enable a vessel to direct her course from False Point to the pilot vessels at the present station, will be to run down the edge of the Pilot's Ridge, which can readily be done by making the light house, and bringing it to bear about W.S.W., or S.W.b.W., distant by computation from 10 to 15 miles, then steering to the E.N.Eastward and having gradually increased the depth of water to 23 fathoms upon the eastern edge of the Ridge, regulate the course to keep between it and 27 fathoms, when, by attention to the lead and nature of the soundings, course, and distance run from the lighthouse, it is almost impossible to miss the Pilot Vessels (if the above limits are kept within), either by getting too far to windward or falling to leeward; for the soundings increase so rapidly to seaward from the present station, that 28 fathoms will not be more than 3 or 4 miles to the southward of it, and 23 fathoms the same distance to the westward of it.

"The soundings to seaward of the Ridge are in general a greenish or olive-coloured mud, with occasionally a few bits of broken shells mixed with

it"..

Vessels approaching the station during the day are required to show the usual signal for a pilot, and by night to give as early and as much warning as possible by firing guns, burning blue lights, and by exhibiting two lights in a vertical position, where best seen; but commanders are strictly enjoined to avoid as much as possible making the station during the night.

Ships have been lost from running for the station in the dark, or threatening, or bad weather. In such weather, the pilot vessel cannot be made out, and if fallen in with, cannot board the inward-bound vessel, nor could the pilot take her in if he was on board. No advantage, then, is gained by attempting to get a pilot in such weather, while the darger is imminent. It is strongly recommended, therefore, to commanders, under such circumstances, to put their ships under snug canvas while well out in deep water, and keep to sea.

To mark the station one of the pilot vessels will show during the day a large St. George's Jack (white with red cross) at the main-top-gallant-mast head, and a good mast head light during the night, and will burn a blue light and a maroon alternately every half-hour, and fire a gun at 8 P.M., at midnight, and at 4 A.M. Vessels approaching the station, and while there, as well as when approaching the light vesselst and buoy station vessels, are warned to be careful in avoiding collision by night or by day; and in commu

The only alteration made in the above admirable directions of Captain Lloyd, is that of substituting the expression "present station" for "proposed new station," which, as more than five years have elapsed since the change so indicated was adopted, might mislead.-J. S.

The Light vessels are directed, when another vessel is approaching during the night, to show a light at the Gaff end, to mark the way they are riding.

nicating with either of the above vessels, either at anchor or hove to, when it is necessary to cross her, to pass under the stern: several instances of serious damage have occurred during the S.W. monsoon, whereby the outer floating light was more than once compelled to leave her station for repairs, to the great inconvenience and risk of vessels entering and quitting the river.

East India-House, Oct. 10th, 1849.

J MELVILLE, Secretary.

LIGHTS IN SEA REACH, RIVER THAMES.-In accordance with the intention expressed in the Advertisement from the Trinity-House, dated the 8th of August last, two lights are now exhibited nightly on the north side of the navigable channel of Sea Reach, that is to say,-One off the Chapman Head, near to the spot on which the beacon stands, and one at Mucking Flat.

Mariners are to observe, that the light off the Chapman Head is exhibited on board a vessel, pending the erection of a permanent structure, and is of the usual or natural colour of a floating light—and that the light at the Mucking which is shewn for the present from a temporary erection close to the land side of the sea wall, and bears from the westernmost beacon of the Blyth Sand, about N. W., burns at 25 feet 6 inches, above the level of high-water spring tides; this light is also of the natural colour, until it strikes the Spit of the Ovens Shoal, a short distance outside the 9 feet mark of low water spring tides, and on the bearing of S.W.b. W. nearly, to the westward of which the colour of the light is red.

A black beacon buoy of large size will be forthwith placed on the Spit of the Ovens Shoal, respecting which farther particulars will be published in a few days.

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LINDSAY ISLAND, Pacific.-Mr. Lindsay, Master of the British schooner Amelia, reports having discovered a rock in the Pacific Ocean, not laid down in the charts. He says, "On the 25th of December, 1848, during a calm, I discovered an island or rock, in lat. 19° 20' N., long. 141° 15' E. It appeared about 40 feet high, and four miles in length, very barren, and of a dark brown colour. I feel confident of its position, as I proved the rate of my chronometer only two days previously at the island of Grigan and Assumption."-Shipping Gazette.

SHOAL IN THE ANDAMAN SEA,

Per Ripsima Anna Maria.-On Thursday, May 10th, 1849, at 5h. 30m. standing E.S.E., with light wind from the southward and smooth sea, observed rocks under the vessel's bottom, took a cast of the lead and found 11 fathoms, kept the lead constantly going, and had over-falls from 13 to 18 fathoms, at 7h. 30m. had 30 fathoms, another cast no ground with 50 fathoms. Whilst passing over the shoal, observed the bottom to be very uneven and some of the pyramidal rocks apparently with much less water on them, land in sight from the mast head bearing about E. & N., long. by chronometer 97° 10' E., and lat. deduced from noon 10° 24′ N. Roe's bank is 96° 45′ E., and 10° 02' N., and ninety-five miles west of St. Mathews. I consider that shoal out thirty-five miles of its true position, or the shoal passed over by me to be a discovery. The portion passed over appeared to extend E.S.E., and W.N.W., about five miles, but as I was on the shoal at day light I am unable to state its full extent. At 8h, A.M. tacked with a light air to the W.

S.W., at 8h. 30m. got the jolly boat out, and tried the current and found it setting slightly to the northward hoisted the jolly boat in again at 11h. shoaled again to 17 fathoms, the rocks plainly visible, and a light breeze having sprung up, braced on the starboard tack, and at noon had 30 fathoms. With reference to the above I would observe, that the position assigned to it by me is correct to a mile, allowing that the great Seyer Island to be correctly laid down, as we saw that Island on the following day, and had sights of chronometer before and after noon.-Calcutta Englishman July 23.

A NEW HARBOUR OF REFUGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

By the following report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey to the Secretary of the Treasury, it will be seen that a good harbour has recently been formed, by the action of the winds and waves, about twelve miles south of Cape Hatteras. As a place of shelter to vessels on that dan gerous coast, when a storm is coming on, it will be of great value to commerce. The least depth of water at low tide is fourteen feet.

Coast Survey Station, (Near North Deerfield, N.H)
July 25, 1849.

SIR.-In consequence of the information received from Lieutenant Commanding Maffit, and already reported to you, in regard to the importance of the inlet opened in 1846, south of Cape Hatteras, I have had a reconnaissance made of it by Lieutenant Commanding James Alden, U.S. N., Assistant in the Coast Survey, which confirms the previous statement of the value of this inlet as a harbour of refuge. The report of Lieutenant Alden contains the following statements of interest to navigators:

"This opening bears from Hatteras Light S. 70° W., distant about twelve miles. It will be easily recognised by the remarkably round hummock covered with trees on the east side of the entrance. The least depth at low water on the bar is fourteen feet. It should be approached from the northward and eastward, and as the breakers seldom extend entirely across the entrance, it can be readily discovered by the smoothness of the water between them. At that point steer N.W.b.W., keeping along the breakers on the starboard hand until well in, then haul more to the northward, and anchor soon after inside the sand-pits, which form the entrance, and which, together with the bar outside, afford sufficient protection against all winds from that quarter. The best anchorage, however, for a vessel drawing ten feet of water is where the schooner's first position is marked on the chart, and where the current will be felt much less than in mid-channel. The currents and tides are influenced very much by the winds; the greatest velocity we found was three knots between the two sand pits; the mean rise and fall was 2.2 feet. There are two openings, the one to the westward is small and has a very narrow and intricate channel, and must be considered of little or no importance, while so near a much finer and better one. Good pilots can be obtained for Hatteras Inlet at any time."

The sketch of Lieutenant Commanding Alden's reconnaissance has been reduced to publication, and will be at once placed in the hands of an engraver.

Very respectfully yours,
A. D. BACHE, U.S. Coast Survey.

Hon. W. M. Meredith, Secretary of Treasury.

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By the Patent Log.

By observation.

No. of days

Distance.

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Abstract of the passage made by H.M. steam ship Terrible, from Lisbon to Spithead in 1847.

Average.

Boilers.

Draught,

Coal Expended.

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Strength.

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8.809

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NNE.

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23 50 9.84 10 Fre & aft NEьE. ESE.

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Mean

Expended.

lbs ft. in.

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hswl. head swell.-swl. swell-s. smooth.-Coal used :- Inferior quality.

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P. St. George March 15 cs
Anegada R. Feb. 1,

44°N. 56°W. Aug. 7,
Off Newark Sept. 18,
Ballywalter Sept. 12, cs
N. Foreland March 17 cs
Symonds M. Sept. 9,
Off Zembra April
37°N. 23°W. Sept. 9
Foundered March 6, C8
G. Bahama Aug. 31,

Vessels' Names.

Active
Admiral

Masters.
Belong to.
273 Whitehaven Murphy

From.

To.

Dublin

Ann

275 Seaham

Arienes

Yacht

Atholl

Bess

Colchester

Austin

Blonde

Caroline

280 S. Shields

Sinclair

Wrecked.

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March 21.

Fanny

Leggatt

Ayr

Frances

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Runcorn
Cork

Copeland I.

April 4,

George

295 Liverpool

Gov. Douglas

Locke

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Hamburg Packet

Leith

Hannah Grayson

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Raven

Rob Roy

Crocket Jamaica
Patterson Whaler

Sunderland
Halifax
Greenland

Newport Grenada
Alexandria Falmouth
Mirimichi Liverpool

London

Maryport Newry
Cullenburg London
Newcastle Barcelona
Boston

Murchison Richebucto Liverpool

Newcastle

London

Nova Scotia England
Singapore

Whaler

Liverpool
St. John

sprung leak foundered

Shields
Rio Grande
London

43°NW 12°. Feb. 28.
P. Edward I. Aug.
Kent Knock Feb. 25,
Trepassy B. Aug. 16,
Gunfleet

In the ice

Off I. Wight Sept. 10, cs
At sea

June

Yangtseking July

Try on Reef July 23

Off Bawdsey Aug, 22,
Nicks H. May 15

391⁄2N 58W Aug. 9.
Yangtseking July

Davis Straits July 12.

Ballyhorn B Sept. 30,
Foundered

Feb. 28,

Black H Bay May 24,
Off Dudgeon Aug. 13,
Foundered Feb. 28,

Rio Grande June
Shingles June 6,
Off Scatterie Sept.

K. Lorraine Sept. 1,
March 8.

CS

Halifax
Foreman Shields Hamburg
Off Barra H. June 1,
Campbell Workington Belfast
Whaler Baffin Bay July
Collings
Alexandreta Off Latakia May 17
March 23,
Pullen Newcastle Satterton Strait Point March 28, cs
Off Sundrind Oct. 1,

Town of Drogheda Waterlogged abandoned passed 50' W of Cape de Gatte
Two Sisters

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