E.N.E. and W.N.W., and deep water within a mile of it, which was as near as I felt it prudent to go."

In 1840 I again saw the said shoal, and gave the bearings of it to Capt. Harford Arnold, of the Charles Kerr. It has been seen last month by Capt. Hey, of the ship Eclipse, who landed on it, and places it in the same position as I

do.

To the Editor, &c.

I remain, &c.,

RICHARD SPRATLY, Master.

RIO GRANDE, Brazil.

Rio Grande de San Pedro do Sul, June 20th, 1842. SIR.-A vessel arriving here should not draw more than 10 feet 6 inches water, in consequence of the shoalness of the bar, particularly when the winds have prevailed for some time from the west or north-west. Make the land about the Estreito, 8 leagues to the northward, where the anchorage ground is good, and where a vessel may come to with safety with any other than a south-easterly wind, provided there is no possibility of getting in that day, and which I should recommend in preference to standing off and on at the risk of being drifted away by the current. Early the following day get underway, coasting it down, not venturing in less than 44 fathoms of water until you come in sight of a white tower, which is a very conspicuous object; this lately has been made higher. There is a lantern on the summit, which is lighted at night.

This tower must be brought to bear north, when a flag will be seen on the top; if this signal is kept up a vessel may enter; if lowered down she must go out to sea again. After you have crossed the bar come to an anchor near the gunboat stationed there, until you have received a visit, when a pilot will come on board, and take the vessel up to the town. It is of importance that vessels coming here should be of light draught of water, as the canal up to the town is very shallow, and vessels have generally to be lightened before they go up. All other information is contained in Norie's Book of Directions; but as no recent account has appeared, I think it would be doing a great service to masters of vessels coming here to publish the above in the Nautical.

I am, &c.,

T. HOUGHTON.

[See some remarks on this place in our last vol. P. 720.-ED.

MINTO BREAKERS, Macassar Straits.

London, Dec. 8th, 1842. SIR.-On my passage from New Zeeland to Manila, in the barque Countess of Minto, the 3rd of January, 1842, at 9 A.M. a patch of breakers were observed to the south-west, dry in some places, more particularly the north part, it appeared to extend in a north-west and south-east direction. Took several good sets of sights for chronometers, and had a good meridian altitude of the sun, which carried back, will place this danger in lat. 8° 10' W., long. 154° 34' E.

In my Chart, which is Norie's latest, there is no shoal, near this either in latitude or longitude. On the 6th of January passed Guam, interval three days, and with cross bearings could detect no error in chronometers; that is allowing the longitude per Norie's epitome, last edition.*

I am a constant subscriber to your valuable work, and have not observed

In p. 451 of our vol. for 1841, Capt. Goodwyn of the Florentia, says, "Norie's position 144° 56' is about correct ;" but Lieut. Raper, who has gone over these maritime positions with so much care places it in 144° 41', far more likely to be "about correct."

any danger near this spot, mentioned before; should you think the above, and the following worthy a place, you may confer a favour on my brother sailors. I am, &c.,

J. K. WISHART.

In my passage from Singapore to London, same ship, by the Carimata passage June 1st 1842, turning to windward I was within a mile of a shoal, or sand bank above water, visible from the deck two to three miles, with the Eastern point of Billiton South Western Montaran Island E.N.E., and think the passage between the Montaran and Billiton very unsafe. On the 2nd of June saw the Discovery reef, and Discovery Bank, the positions agreeing with my observations. J. K. WISHART,

CLARK ROCK, Atlantic.

15, Surry Square, Dec. 6th, 1840. SIR. In reading this last months Nautical, I see a rock described as "Clarks Rock" wherein he gives the lat. 45° 40' N., long. 19° 17′ W.

When going out to the West Indies in 1840, in lat. 46° 36' N., long. 19° 30' W. I saw a rock within 100 yards, of a conical shape, it appeared about four feet out of water in the trough of the sea. It was blowing a strong gale at the time with a very heavy swell. I should think it would be under water in a smooth sea.

You will see by the Chart between these two places a vigia marked as doubtful called "Mayda" so it appears very evident that there is a rock about there. I am, &c.,

D. ENGLAND.

NEW LIGHT IN THE BALTIC.-We understand that in consequence of the representation of Her Majesty's Minister at Riga of the great importance of a light at the extreme point of Courland to the trade of that place, it has been determined by the Russian Government to erect a Light-house at Lyserort, and measures have been adopted accordingly. This light will greatly facilitate the present dangerous navigation of that part of the Baltic, as it will lead from the north-west angle of Courland to the light on the northern extreme of Domeness into the Gulf of Riga.

Ilydrographic-Office, Admiralty, Jan. 2, 1842.

NEUSTADT LIGHT.-Notice has been given by the Board of Trade and Customs at Copenhagen, that an Intermitting Light has been established on Point Pelzerhagen, in the Gulf of Lubeck, near the entrance of Neustadt Harbour. It gives a strong Flash every two minutes, but shows during that interval a continuous though much weaker light; and each Flash is preceded and followed by a momentary darkness. The height of the lantern being 48 feet above the level of the sea, the Flashes may be seen in clear weather 8 or 9 miles; and the weaker light about 6 miles.

The Lighthouse, which is whitewashed, stands in lat. 54° 5' 17" N., and long. 10° 51' 54" E. of Greenwich, bearing by compass from Travemünde N. by E. E. about 2 leagues, and S.E.by E. about half a league from the entrance of Neustadt harbour.

FALSTERBO LIGHT.-The Swedish Government has given notice, that the original Coal fire has been replaced in Falsterbo lighthouse instead of the

temporary Lantern announced on the 6th of July last from this Office; but that next Summer the Lantern light will be again resumed, till the apparatus for the new lamps is fitted.

The following are from the Shipping Gazette.

TORRES STRAITS, Stead's Passage.-Having passed through Torres Straits several times, I would advise persons taking that route, when once to the north of Port Jackson, to get into the longitude of Wreck Reef, to steer a direct course for it, and to sight either it or Cato Bank-the first in preference. Then steer to pass between Frederick and Keen Reefs, (on the latter the Bonavista was lost, whose crew I brought away in 1828,) and get into the fair way for Sir C. Hardy Island. When nearing the outer barrier, always try and make a reef laid down in lat. 12° 12' S., long. 143° 56' E. On the east of this reef is marked a "dry rock;" I saw three, the northernmost is the largest. Should the reef be made after noon, I advise to haul to the wind, and to try to gain a southing, so as to sight these rocks at daylight; but from the very strong northerly current it will be almost impossible to keep your ground. At daylight I should stand in, and sight the reef. If you do not see the rocks you may be certain you have drifted something to the northward. I would then tack and stand to the north-eastward, and in all probability you will make the detached reef; and, still standing on, you will see the wreck of the Flora on a reef to the northward of Detached Reef. In such case stand direct up to Detached Reef, get off the west end, and there wait for your latitude at noon; then steer a direct course for Sir C. Hardy Island. To pass through the Passage named after me, there will appear no opening, but keep on without fear, and on the northern reef, on the starboard bow, you will find the reef appear sunken, or a rippling; pass it, and you will soon see the opening; and, shortly after, Sir C. Hardy Island, then steer in for the Sand Hills, (marked in Horsburgh's small chart) and anchor for the night. Weigh at daylight, following Horsburghis chart, until you have Bird Island south two or three miles; you will then be in Capt. King's chart ;* follow his track strictly, noting the different islands and reefs as you pass them: should you neglect this, they are so numerous and small that confusion will follow. Anchor at Cairn-cross for the night, with the island S.E., one mile distant, in ten fathoms, muddy ground. From Bird Island to Booby Island there is not the smallest difficulty, provided you follow strictly Capt. King's track, always keeping the weather danger abroad.

The only difficult part of the passage is off Good's Island, where you will have to pass between two rocks. Steer boldly for that visible off Good's Island, and pass it close; you will then probably see that to the northward, which is sunken, and only just visible-so I have found it when the tide was at its highest, and the water very smooth; possibly, therefore, it may not be seenbut by passing close to the one off Good's Island you must be perfectly clear of the other.

T. A. STEAD, Lieut. R.N.

• Captain King's chart of the north-east coast of Australia, Sheet 3. contains the whole of the navigation already alluded to by Lieutenant Stead.

DICKINSON REEF.-The following letter was addressed to the editor of the Bay of Islands Observer, by Mr. William S. Harans, of the ship Thomas Dickinson, July 20. 1842:

SIR. Having recently very narrowly escaped shipwreck, I beg leave, through the medium of your paper, to make known the existence of a very dangerous reef (and not laid down in the charts extant, and probably before unknown).

Leaving Whytertach, one of the Society Islands, on the 20th of June, steering W.S.W., all hands were roused on the 26th, between the hours of five and six A.M., by the officer of the watch, who in much confusion, was endeavouring to avoid the danger he alone had discovered. I reached the deck in time to have a fair view of the reef, as we passed to the windward of it at about two cables' length, as near as I could judge. It being dark as at midnight at the time, I could not determine its size, but think it about two ships' length, N.E. and S.W. The wind blowing a gale at the time, at E.b.S. the ship running off eight knots, under reefed topsails, and heading directly for the reef when first seen; the sea running high and breaking furiously over the reef, which was very little, if any, above its surface, (a point we could not determine), as we could see nothing but the spray and foam as it broke upon it. Had the ship struck, she must have gone to pieces immediately afterwards. Position of the reef by two chronometers-lat. 21° 32' S., long. 168° 54′ 30′′ W.

ADELE BANK, R. GUAYAQUIL.-The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. Game, master of the Adele:

"On the 1st of September arrived off the entrance of the river of Guayaquil, and despatched a boat to the town of Puna for a pilot. While beating up meanwhile, with a light breeze from the N.E., under easy sail towards the town, most unexpectedly and unfortunately struck the ground, or bank of hard sand, not laid down in any charts; in fact, the large Spanish plan of the bay and river indicated seven fathoms mud near the very spot where we struck.

"As the bank is in the route of vessels going to Puna for a pilot, I note the bearings, and would advise all masters of vessels bound up the river to anchor in front of Punta Espanola, at the head of Mola Bank, and send up for a pilot, for as yet the shoals have not been properly buoyed.

"The above shoal is about half a mile in circumference, with hard sand; the shoalest part has five feet water on it, and bears from Punta Mandingo S. 70° E., and from Espanola N. 55° E. per compass. Distant from the nearest land 1ths mile to 1 mile."

[Although not in the Spanish chart, in the survey of the river by Captain Kellett while in command of the Sulphur, we find the shoal alluded to. The survey we understand is preparing for immediate publication.]

SYDNEY.-New South Wales..-Aug. 20th: H.M.S. Favorite, arrived here from Tongataboo, touched at the different Friendly Islands-Tahiti, Tutuilla, Opulu, and Vavou. At Tongataboo she recovered her guns, which were taken from her when under the command of Capt. Croker. The natives appeared to be very friendly, and offered no resistance. The Favorite has experienced a succession of gales from the westward since leaving the islands.

A reef was seen by the Favorite on the 27th of July, in lat. 23° 35′ S., long. 180° 49′ E. (mag.) seven miles off the situation ascertained by the time at noon, with breakers on the south-west of it.

APPROACHES TO AUCKLAND.-Waitemata.-(Extracts from Harbour Master's Reports.) Coinmanders of vessels steering to or from the Port of Auckland should be careful to avoid the under-mentioned dangers: a rock lies off the north side of the Island of Waipeka, distant about four miles, even with the water's edge at high-water, with deep water extending to a short distance around it, from which the following bearings and land marks were taken :-North-eastern end of Waipeka, due east (mag.), Bird Island E.b.N. N.; Northern end of Huva Kid W. S.; Peak of Rangitoto S.W. West.

A rock situate to the eastward of the Island of Tiri Tiri, Mantangi, distant

about one mile and a half, having two feet on it at low water, and 15 fathoms close to every side, from which the following bearings and land-marks were taken:-A remarkably white rocky islet at the north-eastern side of Tiri Tiri Mantanga, N.W.b.W., W. (magnetic.); Southern end of Tiri Tiri Mantanga, S.W. W.; centre of Little Barrier Island due north; Peak of Rangitoto S. Į E.; Castle Hill, E. † S.

NEW LIGHT AT NEWPORT.-(R.I), Dec. 13th: The new lighthouse on the pier, built out from the north end of Goat Island, opposite this town, will be lit up this week, and the old one disused. This change will make no alterations in the directions for vessels entering this harbour; but the bearings of the light from various points are slightly varied. Vessels coming into the harbour from any quarter can run directly for the light, as heretofore, but can approach much nearer to it, and can pass close by N. of it.

SWEDISH LIGHTS.-The Royal Swedish Department of Marine has notified that the Baskar and Botto Lights, situated in the canal of Gottenburg which hitherto have been only lighted from the 15th of August of the one to the 15th of April of the following year, will in future, like the crown lights, be kept burning throughout the whole year.

DELAWARE LIGHTS.-Floating Lights Nos. 1 and 2, in the Delaware Bay, will leave their station on the 10th of December next.-ARNOLD NAUDAIN, Superintendent, Wilmington, Del., Nov. 28, 1842.-New York paper, Dec. 6.

HURRICANE of the 13th of January, 1843.

[Extract of a letter from Lieut. Evans, R.N., dated Bedminster, near Bristol.]

Thursday, 12th.-Calm and foggy; the ground covered with snow. Afternoon, a light breeze from the N.N.W.; night frosty, wind variable to the westward. A remarkably large circle round the moon; the area within of a pure azure colour, all without white fog; and immediately around the moon a yellow coloured halo, the circle extended to the zenith; air frosty.

Friday, 13th.-It was anticipated that some remarkable change in the weather would follow the lunar appearance of the preceding night; but why such a prediction was made, it would, perhaps, be difficult to say; it was, however, verified. Was the circle seen in the sky, a reflection of the approaching meteor rushing over the bosom of the ocean? Is the thought preposterous? However, about 2h. A.M. the rain suddenly came pouring down in tropical torrents. and shortly after a strong gale from about S.S.W. followed; squalls violent, wind veering to the south-west.

At 8h. 30m. A.M., wind had drawn round to W.S.W. and lulled; the rain ceased. 9h. both recommenced; the gale strong from west. Towards noon another lull and cessation of the rain for half an hour. The barometer is stated to have been at this time as low as 28°, (at Liverpool the depression was from 28-92 to 28-05.)

About half an hour past noon the gale and rain were renewed; the squalls very powerful from W.b.N.: 3 P.M. squalls extremely heavy from W.N.W.; the crisis appears to have been between noon and 3 P.M. Between 3h. and 5h., there were lulls; the rain gradually lessening, and shortly after 5h. ceased