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"Kinnear, from Sydney, New South Wales to London, latitude north 6o 6', longitude west 24° 29'.

1843,

"This bottle is thrown overboard to ascertain the course of the current by " HENRY KELSALL, M.D., Surgeon R.N.,

"Passenger in the Kinnear. "Have the kindness to forward this paper to the Editor of the Nautical Magazine, London, informing him where and when the bottle was found."

[We have inserted above the contents of the paper sent to us by the Commander of the Nunez. Mr. Kelsall, will, perhaps, be so good as to send us the date when the bottle was 'thrown overboard, which, unfortunately has been lost.]

The following are notices of the William Torr's Casks in our Bottle Chart.

Hull, August 27th.-The Antilles arrived here to-day from Venice and Trieste * * On the 17th ult. lat. 46° 11′ N., long. 17° 30′ W., picked up a large oil cask branded "William Torr," supposed to belong to the missing whaler.

Quebec, October 12th.-The Vigilance, Spence, from Riga to this place, picked up a cask of oil marked "William Torr," in lat. 52° 40′ N., long. 36° 27' West.

Yarmouth. November 8th.-The Wisbeach arrived here, picked up a large blubber cask, with several pieces of blubber in it, marked "William Torr," in lat. 48° 45′ N., long. 38° 34′ West.

Greenock.-The Francis arrived here from Mobile, on the 2nd instant, lat. 55° 5' N., long. 19° W., picked up a cask about two-thirds full of blubber, branded on each end "William Torr, "-scratched mark 205 gallons. The cask is pretty much scratched, apparently by ice, and two of the iron hoops are gone. As there were few barnacles sticking on the cask, it is supposed not to have been long in the sea. The Francis passed next day what appeared to be the one-half of a large vessel, and fragments of boats, &c., but as it was blowing hard at the time, could not ascertain any thing about them.-Shipping Gazette, February 21st, 1837.

Greenock.-Arrived here this day (March 21st,) the Tropic, (Jackson,) from Mobile. On the 16th picked up in lat. 55° 15′ N., and long. 10° 20′ W., a cask of blubber branded on both ends "William Torr," scratched on the bilge 145, was covered all over with barnacles, had lost two hoops, and is about twothirds full.-Constitutional, March 25th, 1837.

NAUTICAL NOTICES.

RAWSON SHOAL, China Sea.-The Christopher Rawson of London, was lost on the 2nd May, on a bank in the China Sea, bearing E.S.E. from Pulo Sapata about twenty miles. It has about 14 feet water over it. The vessel after striking gotoff again, but went down in about two hours.

A shoal is laid down in the chart of the China Sea, a few miles to the westward, with the position marked doubtful, and which is no doubt the Rawson's Shoal.

COAST OF MOROCCO.-In consequence of several boats' crews having landed lately, from shipping of various nations, on the open coast of Morocco or West Barbary, in search, it is supposed, of water, or other provisions; the Moorish authorities are desirous that all persons be cautioned that it is not only against the law of this land, and against the sanatory regulations to embark on any part of the coast, in places where there is not a port open for their reception, but that, in consequence of strict injunctions given to the people of this country

by their government to prevent any persons whatever setting foot on land, or approaching near to it on the open coast, the lives of those who infringe the laws in such respect are exposed to danger.

The undersigned feels it, therefore, his duty to give all the publicity he can to this notice, for warning all commanders and masters of vessels, and especi ally those navigating under the flags either of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or of the kingdom of Hanover, or of the Hanseatic Republics of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburg, not to venture, upon any account, to land, or allow any person under their care or orders to land, or approach within musket shot of the coast of Morocco or West Barbary, excepting within the harbours of any of the well-known ports of this country.

Tangiers, Sept. 15, 1843.

E. W. A. DRUMMOND HAY,
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General, &c.

LIGHT OF TERIKUGEN.-The newly-erected Strand Light on the Western harbour dyke of Terikugen, is placed S.b.E. E. of the steeple of Middleburg, and W.b.S. of the Osseniss, by uncorrected compass, and will, for the first time be lighted on the 15th instant, and be kept burning the whole of the night, showing a fixed clear light.-Shipping Gazette.

Trinity-house, London, Oct. 17, 1843. GALLOPER LIGHT-VESSEL.-Notice is hereby given, that the Galloper Light Vessel (which is at present under repair) will, on resuming her station in place of the temporary light-vessel now moored thereat, exhibit Two Red Balls, one at each masthead. The appearance of the lights from this vessel during the night will remain as heretofore.

SWIN MIDDLE LIGHT-VESSEL.-Masters of vessels, pilots, and others, are requested to observe that the vessel now at this station has One Mast only, but that the light exhibited therefrom revolves as heretofore.

J. HERBERT, Secretary.

SHOAL BETWEEN GOTHLAND AND OLAND.-The Board of Admiralty hereby make known that, in consequence of it having been communicated to them that a shoal had been discovered between Gothland and Oland, in lat. 57° 33′ N.; and long. 35° 48′ E. of Ferro, with four fathoms water on the shoalest place, they have had the said shoal explored, and find it to be situated in lat. 57° 33′ 30′′ N., and longitude 35° 32′ E. of Ferro, or 8 English miles more westward than the first mentioned, and with 6 fathoms on the shallowest place. This shoal, with a gradually increasing depth to 8 fathoms, is in length from north to south 44 cables length, or 1400 Swedish ells, and in breadth from east to west of 24 cables length, or 700 Swedish ells; and on the north and south has a long rocky shoal to 12 fathoms depth, especially in the south, and it is more suddenly deeper on the west side of the main shoal. The place where the first mentioned shoal was said to be was also surveyed, and on it a depth of 54 to 69 fathoms was found; but from communications received it is probable that a shallower part may be somewhere in the neighbourhood, although, notwithstanding much pains has been taken, it has not yet been discovered. In the mean time the Admiralty has thought it right to make known the discovery of the said shoal, also the communications; and that, it is probable from a further survey, a shallower part may be found.-Translation from the Swedish Gazette, Stockholm, 25th August, 1843.

[N.B.-The fathoms are Swedish.]

WRECK AGROUND IN BANCA STRAIT.-Extract :-On the 17th of August at noon, I sent a boat to examine a wreck, which turned out to be an English

barque, with lower mast heads above the water, in 7 fathoms, in latitude by observation 3° 27′ S., longitude nearly 106° 14' E., Lucepara Island bearing N.b.W. 13 or 14 miles. As this vessel lies in the direct course of ships entering or leaving Banca Strait to the southward the earliest notice of her position to navigators is desirable.

Hydrographic Office, Oct. 12th, 1843. LIGHT ON CAPE CARVOEIRO.-The Portuguese Government has given notice that a revolving light has been established on Cape Carvoeiro in lieu of the former fixed light on that Cape.

The period of revolution is two minutes. The height of the light is 182 feet above the level of the sea; it stands in lat. 39° 21′ 8′′ N., and long. 9° 24′ 16′′ W., and is visible at the distance of 5 to 6 leagues.

Hydrographic Office, Oct. 12th, 1843. CRONBURGH LIGHT.-The Danish Government has given notice that the improvements in the light of Cronburgh Castle, alluded to in the notice from this office, dated Sept. 7th, 1842, have been completed; by which the light is rendered visible at the distance of 3 to 4 leagues.

FALSTERBO LIGHT.-The Swedish Government has given notice that a fixed light from lamps has been substituted for the coal fire light previously in use in this light-house, in pursuance of arrangements alluded to in notices from this office, dated 5th July, 1842, and the 2nd of January last.

PIRATES ON THE COAST of Borneo.

From the Singapore Free Press.

On the 15th ult. we mentioned that the boats of Her Majesty's ship Dido, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, had several times encountered pirates on the coast of Borneo, and that on some of these occasions considerable execution had been done. The Dido has since returned from Borneo, and we learn that her operations were more extensive and systematic than what we then imagined them to have been. We are enabled to give a detailed account of the proceedings adopted by Captain Keppel, which we have no doubt will prove highly interesting. Were as vigorous measures adopted towards the pirates in our immediate neighbourhood, the same good results would flow from them as we have no doubt have been produced in Borneo.

On the arrival of the Dido off the coast of Borneo in the beginning of May last, the ship's boats were despatched under Lieutenant Horton, with orders to visit the islands of Marundum and South Natunas, and join the Dido at Sarawak. The party was accompanied by Mr. Brooke, who, from his thorough knowledge of the Malay language, as well as his acquaintance with the appearance of the piratical boats, was a valuable addition to the party.

This party on arriving off Marundum, suddenly came on five large prahus with several smaller boats, each prahu rowed with about 40 paddles, with from 60 to 70 men, and they were well armed with guns, and other firearms. The pirates did not allow the Dido's boats to close, but cutting their boats adrift they made off, firing at the same time, and being followed by the men of war's boats, who returned their fire, but through their extraordinary swiftness in rowing they made their escape in the direction of the Natunas. On the following night the Dido's boats arrived off the south coast of Pulo Serhassen, where they anchored, and next day six prahus came towards the boats, beating tomtoms, and making every demonstration for fighting. The British boats (three) formed abreast and advanced, the prahus still coming on cheering and beating

their tom-toms, and at the same time the pirates detached three of their smallest boats in shore to take the English boats in flank, and cut off their retreat. Mr. Brooke observing that they were not the regular piratical craft, and supposing that they might be the inhabitants of the island, held up a white flag of truce on his spy-glass, but they disregarded this, and when they had come within a distance of about 150 yards, a smart fire was opened from all the six prahus as well as the shore, which was then returned by a destructive fire of grape and canister and small arms.

The pirates on this ceased to advance, but continued firing for some 'minutes afterwards, when one of the prahus gave in and asked quarter, and the other five, chased by the two cutters, made for the shore, keeping up a fire to the last. The pinnace took possession of the prahu that struck, and the others were likewise taken possession of, which latter all proved to belong to the island, mounting three brass guns each, with a crew of 30 men, well armed with muskets, spears, and cresses. The prahu that first struck was the same size as the others, and was ascertained to belong to a rajah at Rio, by whom it had been sent to collect tribute. The pirates declared that their attacking the English boats was an accident, as nothing would have induced them to fire on the British flag had they made it out, but that the rising sun was in their eyes, and they did not discover their mistake till after they had commenced the action, which they continued in despair of receiving quarter. Ten dead men were found in their boats, four mortally and eleven severely wounded, and several others were carried on shore by their friends before the boats were taken possession of. As their story was plausible, and they had suffered so severely, Lieutenant Horton thought it right to release them with a caution.

Their plan of attack had the appearance of having been arranged by some one experienced in such warfare, and they afterwards admitted that they had 200 men concealed in the jungle ready to attack the British had they attempted to land.

In rounding Tanjong Datu on the 9th of May, the Dido came upon three suspicious-looking prahus, whom she chased into a small rocky bay, but, owing to a strong current keeping the ship in such a position that she could not get her guns to bear, the pirates succeeded in escaping, the Dido's boats being absent on the service above-mentioned. From the description, they appeared to belong to the same fleet as the five prahus encountered by the boats off Marundum.

On the 17th of May, Mr. Brooke having lent a boat, Lieutenant Hunt with twelve seamen and four marines was dispatched in it to cruise off Cape Datu and protect any vessel that might arrive. About 3 o'clock on the morning of the 21st, while they were at anchor off the Cape, it being very dark, they did not perceive two prahus, who rounded the point within 30 yards of them, and immediately assailed them with shot, and musketry, and a shower of stones, and even after a 10-pounder which was in the boat had been brought to bear, they persisted in the attack until a round of grape swept off the men from the paddles on one side of the nearest prahu, when one of them thonght fit to sheer off, and the crew of the other jumped overboard, and were nearly all shot in the water. The other boat succeeded in escaping, having been taken in tow by a third large prahu. The slaughter amongst the pirates in this case must have been very considerable, but neither in this nor any of the previous fights were any of the Dido's men hurt.

Being aware of the dangerous extent to which piracy was carried on with impunity on the coast of Borneo, and also considering the number of British vessels that must annually pass the island on their way to China, as well as the extensive trade carried on between Borneo and Singapore, Captain Keppel made enquiries with the view of making such an example of some of the worst of the pirates as would have the effect of making them respect the British flag at least. He ascertained that the most formidable came from the Seribas River, situated about 50 miles to the north-east of Sarawak, who were repre

sented as at once the scourge and dread of the coast, acknowledging no superior power, although their settlement formed part of the Sultan of Borneo's territory. They were in three divisions, living up three different branches of the same river, and were composed of a mixture of Malays and Dyaks, and united could send to sea a force of 120 war prahus, carrying from 40 to 100 men each. They lived high up the river in strongly fortified positions, and although they had been besieged several times by the united forces of the surrounding rajahs, they had never been conquered. Their piracy was represented as being of a much worse and more cruel nature than that of the Saloo or Lanoon pirates, as the latter preserved the lives of their captives and sold them as slaves, whilst the Seribas pirates never gave quarter, looking only for heads and plunder, the Dyaks' share being the heads, and the Malays getting the plunder.

On receiving this information Captain Keppel resolved at once to attack these pirates in their strong holds, and by burning and destroying their forts, war boats, and houses, and laying waste their country, teach them what they might expect should they again attempt to molest a vessel under the British flag. Lieutenant Horton was accordingly directed to fit out the Dido's boats, as well as that borrowed from Mr. Brooke, and a tope was procured to carry a month's provisions for the expedition, All the adjoining chiefs applied to be permitted to send boats to join the force, and as Captain Keppel thought they would be useful in destroying fruit trees and molesting the pirates in the jungle, their request was acceded to,

On the morning of the 6th of June, Lieutenant Horton entered the Seribas River, with a force of 95 officers and men from the Dido, followed by about 300 natives, with orders to carry into execution the plan Captain Keppel had proposed. The three settlements of the pirates were at Paddie, Pakoo, and Rembas. Of these Paddie was the principal and furthest off, being situate upwards of 100 miles from the mouth of the river; the other two were nearly the same distance up different branches of the Seribas; the first branch, leading to Rembas, turned off to the left about 40 miles from the entrance, and the second, to Pakoo, about 20 miles further up on the same side. One difficulty which the boats had to guard against, after passing Boling was a bore, which was said to roll in with a terrific rush with the first of the flood tide, and to avoid which it was necessary to anchor the boats at particular spots, and await its arrival, so that it was the afternoon of the 11th before they appeared before the forts at Paddie, which they found situate on an elevated tongue of land formed by the river branching off to the right and left.

Just within point blank range of the first fort (which commenced firing on our boats the moment they hove in sight) was a strong barrier of large trees drawn across the river, which detained them for a little under the fire of the enemy, during which time we had three men wounded without being able to bring the gun to bear. The barrier was, however, cut through, and a party landing from the lighter boats, the three forts were quickly carried; and our native followers arriving soon after, the village was pillaged; and by eight o'clock the whole country for a mile round was one continued blaze. No prisoners were taken, and the killed and wounded were immediately carried off by their friends. The news of the approach of the British force having reached them several days before, they were enabled to remove all their valuables, together with their women and children. The next morning was employed in cutting down all the cocoa-nut and fruit trees, and burning and destroying war-boats, grain, &c.

In the afternoon Lieutenant Horton, leaving a strong guard, proceeded 12 miles up the left hand branch of the river towards the Dyak village of Lyai, the Malay part of the population living at Paddie. After dark the Dyaks came down in great force, assailing the expedition on all sides from the banks with spears, stones, and occasional musketry, and delaying their progress by cutting down large trees across the river, which here grew very narrow and shallow. The night being both dark and rainy, they anchored about midnight opposite ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 11.-VOL, FOR 1843.

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