for a century. If any thing should bring you this way, I shall be happy to profit by your obliging offer. Believe me you need not apologise for addressing me, I cannot but respect the zeal you have shewed in prosecuting your investigations into this, and more subjects connected with Naval Gunnery. I am always most sincerely yours, To Captain John Norton, late 34th Regiment.

THOMAS HASTINGS.

Dover, 29th Oct., 1841. Dear Sir. I received your letter containing a Catalogue of the numerous and important matters to which you have directed your attention and faculties, and I thank you for the interest with which I have read that list, and sincerely hope that the service may be practically benefitted by those inventions. Believe me, dear Sir, yours very faithfully, HOWARD DOUGLAS.

To Captain John Norton.

J. U. S. Club, Oct. 25th, 1841. SIR.-Having read in your Paper of Saturday last, an allusion to experiments made at Woolwich, on Friday the 15th inst., with eight-inch shells and fuzes invented by me, I beg leave to state in answer, that although those shells that had a small portion of powder in them did not explode, yet as I now know the cause, I can easily apply the remedy. The experiment was merely a preliminary one. I have discovered the means of attaining the object I have in view, viz., to cause shells of all sizes to explode by the concussion of striking the object against which they are fired. I have explained those means to the proper authorities, and I promise that they must and shall succeed. I am, Sir, &c.,

To the Editor, &c.

JOHN NORTON.

Concentrating the fires of the Broadsides in Concussion Shells.

During the course of experiments in the Marshes at Woolwich, on Friday last, the 26th inst., twelve of Captain Norton's Concussion shells were fired from the ten-inch gun at a wooden frame representing the two sides of a ship, at the utmost range the ground affords, twelve hundred and fifty yards, four shells struck the frame, and instantly exploded by the concussion, penetrating the first side, and scattering their fragments into the second, making a wreck and a ruin of both. Eight shells struck the mound, and five out of the eight exploded the instant of striking, the three shells that struck the mound, and did not explode, produced however all the effects of hollow shot; in the course of experiments since October last, at Woolwich, Portsmouth, Addiscombe and Deal Captain Norton has fired more than thirty charged shells, and not one has exploded nearer the Gun or Mortar's mouth than one thousand yards, thereby shewing the safety as well as the efficiency of his invention. The twelve ten-inch shells used on Friday last contained each a bursting charge of five pounds of powder, the charge of the gun was twelve pounds.

CONCUSSION SHELLS.-Yesterday 2nd September, experiments were renewed in the Marshes at Woolwich with Captain Norton's Concussion Shells. Thirty were fired at a range of eight hundred yards, ten from the ten-inch howitzer, ten from the eight-inch howitzer, and ten from the long thirty-two pounder. All the shells from each of these guns that struck that portion of the wooden frame (not wrecked by the effects of previous firing) instantly exploded; a few ENLARGED SERIES.-No. 5.-VOL. FOR 1843.

2 x

only of those that struck the soft earthen mound exploded. The shells were all prepared in the Battery in the same manner they would be in the face of the enemy. One shell from the thirty-two pounder exploded in the air, at about four hundred yards from the mouth of the gun; the two last shells from the same gun were purposely fired into the mound, and they did not explode, the object of firing these two shells into the mound was to prove that the shells can be prepared so as not to explode on striking water, but after the recòchet, shall explode on entering a ship's side. Altogether the experiments of this day were perfectly satisfactory. To do justice to experiments with Concussion Shells, the wooden frame into which the shells are fired, should be of the solidity of the hull of a ship, from one to three feet in thickness. The most convenient guns for the practice at eight hundred yards, are the eight inch guns, the howitzers are too uncertain for accuracy of aim.

HARWICH HARBOUR.

H.M.S. Shearwater, Harwich, November 1st, 1842. SIR. In forwarding to you the plan of Harwich Harbour, on the scale of twelve inches to a mile, which has been completed by Mr. E. K. Calver, Master and Assistant Surveyor of this ship, during the past year, I am desirous of calling your attention to one or two points, for the advantage of the navigation of the port, which have suggested themselves in the course of the survey. But first I should observe that within these few years the Trinity Board, ever alive to the interests of seamen, have effected great inprovements by buoying the approaches to the port, and more recently by placing a buoy on the Cliff Foot Rock, the most dangerous shoal in the harbour, whereas the further alterations to which I allude have chiefly shewn themselves in the course of the present survey.

You are already aware that great changes are taking place in the Suffolk or eastern side of the harbour; Landguard Point has extended to the southward upwards of 500 yards within the last forty years, so much so, that where was the deep water passage through which I sailed as late as the year 1826, is now shingle beach, several feet above high water spring tides. In consequence of this alteration, the best channel now is round the West Altar Buoy, and over the flat of the Altar Shoal, carrying twelve feet at low water springs, but for this channel there are no good leading or beating marks; I should therefore venture to recommend two small square black beacons to be placed on Landguard west beach, at the spots indicated on the plan: then the conspicuous Mortella Tower on the southern extreme of Bull's Cliff near Felixtow kept on with or between these beacons would be a safe and quick leading and turning mark for entering this part of the harbour.

Again a little farther in, just off Walton Ferry, are two awkward shoals named the Bone and the Gristle, with only three feet water on them; here it seems advisable that a small buoy should be laid.

The recent survey has shewn that there is another or western passage into Harwich, far more direct than the former, and carrying 12 feet throughout at low water springs. This is a good navigable channel for Steamers, or sailing vessels with a fair wind, and the more valuable as being available during easterly gales, when there is much difficulty in entering by the eastern passage; but for this there are no leading marks. I would propose then two small white triangular beacons under Fagborough Cliff, about 1000 feet apart, and a white

Those at present in use are the Mortella Tower on Landguard east beach in one with the northernmost cottage on the west beach, and Dover Court South Mill well open of Beacon Cliff.

circular beacon on Shotley Point, as indicated on the plan of the harbour. As you have yourself sailed through this passage in the Shearwater, drawing 12 feet, for the purpose of proving its depth, and are so well acquainted with its value, I need only add that latterly we have never used any other channel, and we find it extremely useful.

The white beacon erected in 1837, on Shotley Point, should be taken away, as it leads directly on to the Glutton Shoal, instead of clearing it, as I suppose was intended; and the Cliff Foot Rock buoy should be moved 400 yards farther south, as it only leads into error where it is.

The whole expense of the slight additions I have ventured to suggest would not exceed a few pounds, and as it would be of so great benefit to the navigation of this valuable port, I trust that you will consider it right to recommend the subject to the very favourable consideration of the Corporation of the Trinity.

I must now beg your attention to some other points. I have already alluded to the great extension of Landguard Point within the last forty years, but more especially within the last twenty years; where was formerly a 7 fathom channel is now a shingle beach as many feet above high water mark, and consequently the high and low lights placed in line to lead into the harbour, are no longer available in this direction for the purpose. Again on the western or Harwich side of the harbour, a projecting headland called the Beacon Cliff is daily giving way; owing to the encroachment of the waves, this cliff has lost no less than 500 feet in a direct line from the sea during the last forty years, and upwards of 40 acres of ground have fallen into the sea.

The evil results of this are obvious. Not only has the fallen clay tended to shoalen the harbour; but still more damage is done by the increase of surface, whereby the scouring effect of the flood and ebb streams, in keeping the channel clear, is much weakened; while the chief barrier to the south and southwesterly gales having gone, there is nothing to interrupt the fair sweep of the sea along the eastern face of the town, owing to which the beach has been scoured away along the whole line of the esplanade, to a depth of eight or ten feet within a few years, while the low light-house is only preserved from being swept into the sea by an elaborate and costly defence of groins and outworks which from time to time are obliged to be filled up with shingle brought from a distance.

It is not for me to say who is to blame for the extreme neglect of this port, but that it has been shamefully neglected during the last twenty years is manifest, and thus the best and only harbour on the east coast of England, between the Thames and the Humber,—a harbour in which, in a north-easterly gale, 400 vessels have at one time taken refuge,--is now all but ruined for the want of a little timely precaution. It is the business of an engineer to report upon the best steps to take in order to arrest any farther deterioration, but the more obvious measures would seem to be to put a stop to the daily practice of carrying away the cement stone from the foot of the cliffs, and to adopt at once a vigorous and well considered system of groining along the shores; had this been done twenty years ago, a Mortella Tower, Rainham's battery, and other fortifications on Landguard east-beach, long since washed into the sea, might have been saved a deep water channel into the harbour carrying 7 fathoms, where there is now a shingle beach as many feet above high water mark, would have been preserved :-the high and low light would still have been available for navigation in the direction in which they were intended;-the whole strength of the flood and ebb streams for scouring the channels might have been maintained; a shelter from the sea caused by southerly and southwesterly gales would have been preserved; the scouring away of the beach on

One million of cubic yards of sand and shingle have been transported from here since the year 1804, judging from the accurate plan of that excellent old surveyor Græme Spence, as compared with the present survey.

the eastern face of the town would have been avoided; upwards of forty acres of good ground, excellent pasture land, with tenements and other property, might have been preserved to Her Majesty's Government; but worse than all in a national point of view, a harbour that a few years since would have afforded shelter in an easterly gale to the largest ship in the North Sea fleet, is now barely available for a frigate.

To Captain Beaufort, R.N. Hydrographer.

I am, &c.,

JOHN WASHINGTON, Captain.

H.M.S. Shearwater, Harwich, December 10th, 1842. SIR.-Referring to my letter of the 1st November, containing a general report of the neglected state of Harwich Harbour, and of its daily progressive deterioration, but especially with respect to the erroneous position of the Cliff Foot and Beach buoys, and the danger to navigation, in consequence of the two lights in one, now leading directly upon the shoal, off Landguard Point, I have now to acquaint you that since the date of that letter, four instances have occurred of vessels getting aground, and receiving much injury from the causes

above mentioned.

Two of these cases occurred to vessels, turning out of the harbour, which struck on the Cliff Foot Rock, and you must allow me here to repeat that, either a second buoy should be placed on this dangerous shoal, or, that the present buoy be shifted two cable's length further south, and placed off the pitch of the shoal spot which has only three feet water on it.

The other two cases occurred on the Andrews' or shoal off Landguard Point. These vessels the Favorite of Whitby, and Atherly of Ipswich, running in with the lights in one, according to their direction books, both took the ground at the entrance of the harbour. Fortunately the night was fine, and the Desmond Revenue Cutter near at hand, and with this assistance the collier was got off, but with great expense to her owners. Here then in the course of six weeks are four cases of wreck caused by evils which admit of an easy remedy.

I need not again advert to the daily loss of Government and other land, owing to the mischievous practice of taking away the cement stone from the foot of Beacon Cliff, (a subject which imperatively calls for legislative interference,) but I may venture again to call your attention to the growing out of Landguard Point. Since the date of our survey of that part, up to the 2nd December, the shingle beach point has increased 37 yards, and now occupies the spot where were 12 feet water in June 1841, while at the same time its 12 feet edge has grown out 80 yards, and now holds the place at which were 20 feet water in October 1841;-a spur of 200 yards has also grown up to the eastward.

This is a great and growing evil, and demands immediate and serious attention, if the port of Harwich is to be preserved; but my duty, as having charge of the survey of the North Sea, is with the more immediate interests of navigation, and these require that the beach buoy be removed a cable's length further south, and that a remedy be found for the two lights in one, leading upon this point.

The great object of these lights when first placed, was to lead between the 'Andrews' and the Ridge' and this they do sufficiently well: I cannot therefore recommend the low light to be moved, but with all submission I conceive that a small red harbour light, visible only about three miles, might be advantageously placed 25 yards south of the present low light; vessels would then steer in as usual, but as soon as they had passed the narrows between the 'Andrews' and the Ridge' buoys, they should bring the small red light on with the high light, which would lead them quite clear of the beach point, and up to the west Altar buoy.

เ

Landguard Point has now grown out upwards of 550 yards, whereby the best entrance to the harbour is, for the present, entirely lost; where in 1804 was a channel with 7 fathoms at low water, is now a beach 7 feet above high water mark, thus shewing that a bed of sand and shingle 20 yards in depth has gradually formed during the last 40 years, but its more rapid advance has been since the year 1826, or, rather since the time that the cement stone was begun to be taken away from Felixstow ledge.

To Captain Beaufort R.N.

I am, &c.,

JOHN WASHINGTON, Captain.

[Knowing as we do from some personal experience, the immense importance of Harwich as a Harbour of Refuge on our Eastern Coast, we are gratified to be able to add that the Trinity Board, ever desirous of forwarding the interests of seamen, have made the necessary changes in the position of the buoys, and have placed two new ones on the shoals named the Bone and the Glutton, according to the Trinity notice printed in our February number.-ED. N.M.]

THE LOSS OF THE RELIANCE, CONQUEROR, ETC.

SIR.-Would you favour me by submitting to your readers the following suggestion.

May not the loss of the Conqueror, Reliance, and other vessels on the coast of France (the cause of which seems never to have been satisfactorily ascertained,) be thus accounted for?

The connection of sudden and violent electric changes of the air, with storms of wind, is well known. The influence of electricity on magnetism, (or the identity according to some of these forces,) is also well known; and a very striking instance of the sudden deflection of the compass accompanying a hurricane is recorded in your Magazine for 1841, p. 103, by Mr. Lawrance, mate of H.M.S. Thunder; the variation observed on this occasion was to the extent of three or four points.

It had occurred to me previous to reading this observation, that in this way the unfortunate ships I have alluded to may have been induced to steer too far to the southward; and I am confirmed in this matter to your nautical readers, in the hope that it may tend to diminish conjecture, not only by the instance above referred to, but also by observations on the effects of lightning on the magnet, where vessels have been struck at sea. At p. 344 of the same volume of your Magazine, is mentioned, one such case in which the compass was made to point E. and W.

"Fore-warned is fore-armed;" and I submit the enquiry into this in some respects the "dangers of the seas," though I am not one of those "Gentlemen of England who live at home at ease," seeing that I am nothing better than

A COUNTRY DOCTOR.

[Our Correspondent will find sufficient reasons for the loss of the Reliance in our March number. No doubt deviation of the Compass had its full share. The subject he has started is well worthy of the attention of our Nautical readers afloat, and we shall be glad of their observations on it, which would be easily made during a thunder storm.-ED. N.M.]