to it; the Anchor bit so suddenly, that it was found impossible to check the cable, although with three turns round the body of the windlass; it therefore ran out to the end, and brought up with a sudden jerk and most tremendous strain. I thought at the moment the chain would have parted, but so firmly did the Anchor hold, that before it yielded the fluke straightened out, and the shank bent, assuming the form shewn in the diagram, which is a faithful sketch from actual measurement taken on landing the Anchor.

LIEUT, RODGER'S PATENT KEDGE WITHOUT PALMS.

Fig. 1.-A side view of the kedge with the stock in section; the dotted lines representing the original form.

Fig. 2-A front view

of the arms.

Fig.1.

Fig.2

"The tide was running about three knots, the impetus of the ship of course very considerable, and augmented by a fresh head wind; in short, so incredible did the holding power of this comparative pickaxe appear, that had I not been assured of the nature of the ground (mud and sand) where it was let go, by Messrs. Curling and Young's labourers, and by the Pilot's man who weighed it afterwards, I should have imagined it had been hooked to some immovable substance. In order to prove further the fallacy of this opinion which was entertained by many, an Anchor of the same size and description was tried on the Monday following, when the "Chile," another of the Company's steamers, of 700 tons, was launched; it was let go a little further out in the stream, the tide was running strong, but the chain being checked gradually by stoppers, it effectually brought the ship up with thirty fathoms only; and on recovering this Anchor, the fluke was also found partially straightened. The broadest part of the arms of these Anchors (which have no palms) measures only three inches and a quarter.

"What an invaluable Anchor would this be in our vessels of war, to carry out in cases of getting ashore; it may be hove by a landsman, without danger of capsizing the boat, or tearing out the gunwale, an occurrence frequently happening, and the "stream" Anchor made on this plan would, in my opinion, hold where the "bower" on the old plan would come home.'

GEORGE PEACOCK,

Captain Superintendent of the Pacific Steam
Navigation Company's Steam Vessels.

* Qy. Provided you had the means of laying it out, for very few of our men-ofwar's largest boats will carry a Lower anchor.

Result of experiments made on the 18th of September, 1810, upon the Sand on the South side of the Tyne, a little below Messrs. Hawks and Co's manufactory at Gateshead, in order to ascertain the comparative holding powers of anchors, as now made in Her Majesty's Dockyards, and those made with small palms on Lieut. Rodger's patent principle. Weight and length as under, viz. :—

Trial 1st. No. 1 was dragged 54 0, whilst No. 2 came home only 5

6

❝ 2nd. do.

do. 34 0,

Note.--After the second trial the anchors were reversed; and during the second, third, and fourth trials, No. 1 was loaded successively with 2cwt., 3cwt., and 4cwt., the weights being suspended to the upper fluke.

do. 41 6,

No. 4

Trial 5th No. 1 was dragged 38 0, whilst No. 3 came home only 16 6 "6th do. do. 26 0 Note. After the fourth trial the anchors were reversed, and again reversed after the fifth.

The anchors were placed on level ground, consisting of clean sand, and were drawn together by means of a tackle (hooked to each,) composed of two treble blocks and a chain fall, having twenty-two men and two horses upon each end.

Gateshead Iron Works, 19th Sept., 1840.

WILLIAM RODger.

WE, the undersigned, having witnessed the several trials as stated above, do not hesitate to express our surprise and astonishment at the results, and at the same time declare our full conviction of the great superiority of Mr. Rodger's Patent Anchors over those in present use, both in a national and commercial point of view, as from their great tenacity of holding, it is but fair to presume that they may be the means of preserving many valuable lives, as well as property, and we most respectfully beg leave to recommend their general adoption by the Shipping Interest.

S. DANSON, Master of the Trinity-house and Harbour-master, Newcastle.
THOMAS C. GIBSON, Deputy-Master.

JOHN INGO, Shipowner.

A. NICHOL, Shipowner.

JOHN RIDLEY, Alderman.

JOHN ANDERSON.

A. L. POTTER, Alderman and Chairman of the River Committee.
E. PLETTS.

WILLIAM HOGGETT, Shipowner.

HENRY LIDDELL, Trinity-house.

WILLIAM D. ANDERSON, Engineer.

ROBERT STORY, Shipowner.
WILLIAM BROWN, Shipowner.
THOMAS PIGG, ENGINEER.

The following testimonials are selected from among a multitude, which have been given in favour of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchor. At the Annual General Meetings of the undermentioned Insurance Associations, held in Newcastle, North and South Shields; the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to, and subsequently printed with their warranties and rules.

North Shields, 22d Jan., 1841.

Eligible Association.---That this meeting strongly recommend the SmallPalmed Anchors invented by Lieutenant Rodger, RN., to the members of this association.

JOHN STOKER, Sec.

North Shields, 26th Jan., 1841.

Albion Association.---From the result of experiments, and the numerous and respectable testimonials produced in favour of Lieut. Rodger's Patent SmallPalmed Anchors, the members of this insurance are recommended to use them.

JOSEPH BULMER, Sec.

South Shields, 26th Jan., 1841.

Coal Trade Association.---That this meeting being convinced of the superiority of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., recommend them to the members of this association.

THOS. ADAMS, Sec.

Newcastle, 27th Jan., 1841.

Tyne and Hope Association.---That from the numerous testimonials in its favour, and the experience of its merits by several members of this association, the Small-Palmed Patent Anchor of Lieut. Rodger, RN., has strong claims to the attention of shipowners, and is hereby recommended to general adoption, when new anchors are required, and more especially in fitting out new ships to those who approve of it.

JOHN ANDERSON, Sec.

North Shields, 28th Jan., 1841.

Mutual Association.---That this meeting being convinced of the superiority of Lieut. Rodger's Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, do hereby strongly recommend them to the members of this association.

JOHN STOKER, Sec. Newcastle, 1st Feb., 1841.

Newcastle General A. 1. Association.---That_this meeting being convinced of the superiority of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, R.N., do earnestly recommend them to the members of this associa

tion.

JOHN ORMSTON, Sec.

Newcastle, 2nd Feb., 1841.

Liberal Premium Association.---That from the numerous favourable testimonials and experience of nautical men, the Small-Palmed Patent Anchor, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., is strongly recommended to general adoption, when anchors are required, and especially in fitting out new ships.

JOHN ANDERSON, Sec.

North Shields, 3d Feb., 1841.

Friendly Association. That this meeting being convinced of the superiority of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., do earnestly recommend them to the members of this association.

JOHN TAYLOR, Sec.

South Shields, 4th Feb., 1841.

Unanimous Association.---That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., are superior to the common made anchors now in use, and that the members of this insurance are strongly recommended to adopt them.

JAMES W. ROXBY, Chairman.
GEORGE POTTS, Sec.

South Shields, 14th Feb., 1841.

Nautical Policy.---That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., are superior to the common made anchors now in use, and that the members of this insurance are strongly recommended to adopt them.

JAMES W. ROXBY, Chairman.
GEORGE POTTS, Sec.

Newcastle, 5th Feb., 1841.

Total Loss Association.---That this meeting being convinced of the superiority of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, N., do earnestly recommend them to the members of this association.

JAMES POTTS, Sec. Newcastle, 8th Feb., 1841.

do

Provident Association.---That this meeting being convinced of the superiority of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., d earnestly recommend them to the members of this association.

ROBERT STOCKS, Sec. North Shields, 9th Feb., 1841.

British Association.---That this meeting being convinced of the superiority of the Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, invented by Lieut. Rodger, RN., do earnestly recommend them to the members of this association.

JOHN STOKER, Sec.

South Shields, 9th Feb., 1841.

Sun-Cargo, Freight, and Outfit Association ---The general meeting of the members, recommend the adoption of Lieut. Rodger's Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, in fitting out new vessels, or in replacing anchors that have been lost or become unserviceable.

C. A. WAWN, Sec.

The following are the recommendations of Committees.

South Shields, 17th Nov., 1840.

Maritime and Mercantile Policy.---The committee recommend the adoption ENLARGED SERIES. NO. 10.-voL. FOR 1841. 4 T

of Lieut. Rodger's Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, in fitting out new vessels, or replacing anchors that have been lost or become unserviceable.

JOHN W. LAMB, Sec.

South Shields, 12th Jan., 1841.

Sun Association.---The committee recommend the adoption of Lieut. Rodger's Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, in fitting out new vessels, or in replacing anchors that have been lost or unserviceable.

C. A. WAWN, Sec. North Shields, 20th Jan., 1841.

Equitable Association.---The committee and such members of this association, as have used Lieut. Rodger's Patent Small-Palmed Anchors, recommend them to the notice of those who are unacquainted with their merits.

THOMAS ATKINSON, See. North Shields, 4th Feb., 1841.

Star-Cargo and Freight Insurance Office.---SIR, I have the pleasure to inform you that at a meeting of the committee of the above insurance, held this day, it was resolved to recommend to the members of this association, your Patent Small-Palmed Anchor. I am, &c.,

To Lieut. Rodger.

J. ARMSTRONG, Sec.

When we inform our readers that the above associations possess an invested capital of £1,100,350, we think sufficient will have been said to show that Lieut. Rodger's anchor is tolerably well known in the mercantile marine; the number supplied to our merchant shipping amounting to considerably more than three thousand, although a very few of Her Majesty's ships are yet supplied with it. But the extraordinary holding powers of the kedge which appears to be a mere pickaxe renders it especially desirable that every ship afloat should have one of them as heavy as her boat can lay out; as in the event of her getting ashore she might heave off by it without using a bower anchor.

ASCENSION.

THE Island of Ascension is of an elliptical form, its greatest diameter from east to west being seven miles and five-eighths; and its shortest from north to south, five miles and a half. The area of its base at the surface of the sea is thirty-eight square miles, and its circumference about twenty-two miles.

Ascension is of volcanic origin, and of comparatively recent formation, its surface being exceedingly irregular, and presenting, from the sea, a barren and forbidding appearance. The highest peak on Green Mountain is elevated 2,805 feet above the sea, and may, therefore, be seen from a frigate's deck, at the distance of sixty-five miles. The latitude of the summit is, from several observations, 7° 57' 22" S., and if the longitude of the fort be 14° 24', that of the peak will be 14° 19'. From the summit of Green Mountain, about forty tumuli may be seen of different magnitudes, being extinguished craters, which have at different periods of the volcanoes actually given vent to its fires. From many of these craters one may trace distinctly the direction of the lava currents on their way to the sea.