planets Jupiter and Venus are in conjunction; they afford a very splendid sight," and on the 26th "the evening was remarkably calm and clear, not a cloud in the sky: the new moon (thirty-six hours old) the planets, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn all near each other (within 26° of the horizon) make a very remarkable appearance, and shine with remarkable brilliancy;" and no doubt affording good opportunities for a meridian observation which seamen should look out for.--ED. N.M. NOTICE TO MARINERS. We have collected the following notices, and insert them as being useful to seamen, reserving our own remarks on them for another occasion. LIGHT AT WINGA.-Swedish and Norwegian General Consulate, Sept.4— The light on the coast of Winga, at the entrance to Gothenburgh, as also the auxiliary lights on the Buskaret and Botto, situate in the channel up to the said town, will be exhibited for the first time on the 1st of November next, and the light on Winga will be continued the whole year, but the lights on the Buskaret and Botto will only be exhibited from Aug. 15 to April. 15. Shipping Gazette. Trinity House, London, August 10, 1841. COQUET LIGHT-HOUSE, NORTHUMBERLAND.-Notice is hereby given, that the works connected with the establishment of a Light-house upon Coquet Island, off the entrance to Warkworth harbour, on the coast of Northumberland, being nearly complete, a light will be exhibited in the said Lighthouse for the first time on the evening of Friday, the 1st of October next, and thenceforth continued every night from sunset to sunrise. Mariners are to observe, that at this station a fixed bright light will be exhibited, visible in all directions seaward from N.by E. E. to S. by W. W. by compass. Notice is also given, that buoys of direction for the anchorage within the said island will also be forthwith placed, in respect of which all necessary particulars will be published in due course. By order, J. HERBERT, Secretary. COQUET LIGHT AND BUOYS.-The Buoys for the anchorage within the Island, referred to in the above notice, have now been placed in the undermentioned situations, and with the following marks and bearings, viz. : A Red Beacon Buoy, marked "N.E. Coquet," in five and a half fathoms water: The south end of Morwick trees in line with the house on Amble Point, A slated roofed house at Bondicar, in line with Hauxley Point, S. W. S. A Red and White Buoy, painted in Circles, marked "N.W. Coquet,” in two fathoms : The southernmost of two clumps of trees on the south land, its apparent width on Bondicar Point, bearing S.W.b.S. The west end of a long wood, in line with the east end of the sand hills next west of Alnmouth, N.b. W. § W. North-east Coquet Buoy, E.N.E. Coquet light-house, S. E. A Red Buoy, marked "S. W. Coquet," in three fathoms : The east end of Shilbottle trees in line with the tower of Warkworth Castle, bearing N.W. W. A cluster of trees inland, apparently midway between two houses at Bondicar, one having a red tiled, and the other a slated roof, S.W. Hauxley Point Buoy, S. E. A Black Buoy, marked "Sand Spit " in nine feet, upon the extremity of a Reef running from the main land towards the Island: The west end of Warkworth Castle in line with Amble Point. N.W. Bondicar Point in line with the southernmost of two clumps of trees to the southward, S.W.b.S. Hauxley Point Buoy, S.b. E. E. A Black Beacon Buoy, marked" Hauxley Point," in five fathoms, on the extremity of this dangerous reef :— A Farm House, having a lofty chimney on its west end, in line with the Earsdon Windmill in line with a slated roofed house at Bondicar W.b.S.S. A Black and White Chequered Buoy, marked " Pan Bush," in two fathoms, on the south-east part of the shoal so called : The south part of Morwick Trees in line with the North end of Gloster A Red tiled House within the Sand Hills, its apparent width open north of Coquet Light House, S.S.E. North East Coquet Buoy, S.E.b.E. Į E. Mariners are to observe, that the safest approach to this Anchorage is north of the Island, between the north-east Coquet and Pan Bush Buoys, there being but eight feet water in the south entrance; viz. between the south-west Coquet and the Sand Spit Buoys. N.B. The above bearings are magnetic, and the depths of water those of Low Water Spring Tides. Sept. 3, 1341. By order, J. HERBERT, Secretary. Trinity House, London, Aug. 24, 1841. LIGHT VESSEL AT THE SEVEN STONES.-Notice is hereby given, that the floating light vessel referred to in the advertisement from this House, bearing date the 10th inst., has now been placed at its station near the rocks called Seven Stones, lying between the Land's End of Cornwall and the Scilly Islands. This vessel is moored in 40 fathoms water, about 1 mile E. S. from the Pollard Rock of the Seven Stones, and about the same distance E. by N. northerly from the South Stone thereof. At this position the angle between the north and south extremes of the Scilly Islands is 22°.; and the day mark at St. Martins bears by compass W.b.S., and the Longship's Light House E.S.E. The lights on board this vessel will be first exhibited at sun-set of the evening of Wednesday the 1st of September, and will consist of two bright fixed lights; one on the mainmast, burning at an elevation of 38 feet from the surface of the water; and one on the foremast, burning at an elevation of 20 feet above the same level. N.B. Vessels navigating between the Scilly Islands and the Land's End should endeavour to bring the light vessel to bear to the westward of south, when coming from the northward; and those approaching the light vessel from the southward should keep her to the westward of north. SCHULAW. The Port Deputation of Hamburg has made arrangements, that from the 1st of September there shall be placed below Schulaw, between the two black buoys Nos. 9 and 10, south side of the channel and north of the Portuguese ship Isabella, sunk two years ago, a vessel with flag flying in the daytime, and a lanthorn at night, for the security of navigation.-Shipping Gazette. FLUSHING ROADSTEAD.—On the 6th July the Minister of Marine and Colonies gave notice that in the middle of the channel in the roadstead of Flushing, an elevation has formed itself of about two cables' length in a S.S.W. and N.N.E. direction, which, on account of the shallow water thereby created in the channel, may prove dangerous to the navigation; and therefore it has been marked with a red buoy, placed at the following bearings, taken by compass, viz. the Steeple of Middelburg N.E. N.; Fort Nollen N. by W.; the Steeple of Hoopdplaat S.E.; the Mill of Briskins, S. W. Į S.; in a depth of 13 Amsterdamn feet, or 37 palms at ordinary low water. It is at the same time to be observed, that at the distance of two cables' length north and south of this elevation, there is sufficient water for ships of any draught to pass without the least danger.— Shipping Gazette. As the drifting of vessels on Spittal Point during the winter month is of very frequent occurrence, we may record what has been stated to us by a competent authority in such matters, that there is always a risk in taking Berwick harbour with a strong wind from the north because as soon as a vessel turns round the pier head, she generally loses the wind and steerage way, and if she does not borrow very close to the pier, and immediately let go an anchor, there is every chance of her being drifted on Spittal Point, especially if there should be a roll of the sea and much fresh in the river.-Warder. LIGHTS ON SOUTHAMPTON ROYAL PIER.-Two new lights have this week been fixed on the new pier; and by the plan adopted they are rendered much brighter than the two old coloured lights. The following direction must be observed; bring the red light under the tall white light in one perpendicular line, and the channel is open from the bar end to the pier. BEACON. The Swedish and Norwegian administration give notice that a beacon of wood has been erected on the Rock Understen, situated at the southerly Quarken, at lat. 60° 16' 15" N., and long. 37° 4' 30" E. of Ferro, for a guidance to mariners who pass this narrow and dangerous channel. The beacon or landmark alluded to is of a quadrate form, built of sparwood; a third part of the top covered with planks, which roof, as well as the palings on which it rests, is painted white, but the rest red. This mark is thirty-six feet high, stands on an elevation of forty-two feet, and therefore is altogether seventyeight feet above the level of the sea, and in clear weather can be seen at a distance of three nautical miles. RIVER DOURO.-The following is a copy of a notice issued by the Portuguese Admiralty, which has been transmitted to Lloyd's by their agent at Oporto, respecting the soundings found in the River Douro and on its Bar during the month of July, 1841. Soundings on the bar. By W., W.S.W., and W.N.W. of the Lages above the Banco the soundings are found 26 to 27 palmos at flood of Spring tides. E. W. with Filqueiras, between the rock, Bezerra, and the extreme point of the Banco, close to the Filqueiras, soundings 29 palmos during Spring tides; but this channel is not navigable, by reason of its extreme narrowness. From the extreme point of the Cabodello, to the course of the channel which lies between the Labe d' Abre, and the rock Afagamanadas, the soundings are 26 palmos and over at low water. In the River. From the Arrabida mountain to the Lobeira do Ouro, there runs a narrow channel along the rocks on the northern side, of 17 palmos, and close to the Lobeira, of 18 palmos at low water, and this depth is found as far as the Lobeira de Sobreiras. Between the Arribadouro, and the Cruz de Ferro the soundings are 18 palmos, and from thence to the extreme point of the Cabodello 20, 22, and 30 palmos. The sand bank still exists close to Posta Nobre, which runs over to the south side about a third of the width of the river. Note. The Portuguese names are preserved as in the original, as when they are made use of by the natives they will be understood. Lages, Filqueiros, Labe d' Abre, Lobeira do Ouro, Lobeira de Sobreiras, Arribadouro, and Cruz de Ferro, are rocks.-Times. KINGSTOWN HARBOUR LIGHTS.-The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin, hereby give Notice, that on the evening of the İst of October next, the appearance of the Light hitherto shewn from the East Pier Head of Kingstown Harbour, will be altered from the present revolving white Light to a revolving Light shewing white and red Lights alternately, and seen at shorter intervals of time. A small fixed red Light will also be exhibited from the West Pier Head. The Lights so to be shewn will thenceforth be continued from sun-set to sun-rise. Specifications given of the appearance of the Tower, &c., by Mr. Halpin, the Inspector of Light-houses: The Light at present shewn on the Kingstown East Pier Head is a revolving white light, shewing once in each minute. That to be exhibited on the 1st of October next will also be a revolving light, presenting white and red lights alternately, attaining their greatest brilliancy at equal intervals of thirty seconds. The light will be shewn from the present timber building (which is coloured brown), and will be open to the harbour and to seaward, as heretofore. The lantern is elevated thirty-four feet above the level of high-water springs, and forty feet above the mean level of the sea. A fixed red light, will, at the same time, be shewn from the Kingstown West Pier Head. The Kingstown East Pier Light-House bears from the Kish Bank Floating Light W. by N. N. distant 6 nautic miles, and from the Poolbeg Light South, distant 2 nautic miles. The bearings given are magnetic. Var. 26° 30' W. By Order, Ballast-Office, Dublin, August 1841. H. VEREKER, Secretary. REMOVING A LIGHTHOUSE.-From the improvements now making in Sunderland harbour it has been found requisite to appoint another site for the lighthouse; but in order to avoid the trouble, delay, and expense of taking it down and rebuilding it, it has been decided to remove it as it stands, which we find is now being attempted. The stone work has been cut out at the base, and a tram way and carriage erected, on which the light-house now stands; it was moved by screw power a distance of 21 feet to the north on Monday, in which situation it will remain for some time, till the railway is reversed, when it will be removed to its new site, at the east end of the north pier.-Newcastle Chronicle. E FLORENCE AND VENICE.-Extract of a letter. "We were charmed with that deservedly-famed city where nature and art strive to outdo each other in works to delight the senses and gratify the mind. There the people looked happy, and well fed and clothed; and there the squalid poverty is not found, which at Rome wanders under the Pope's license, although the people pay a seventh of their rent to support the poor. Alas! the King pockets the money, and the streets of Rome are filled with beggars. "After Florence came Venice, where ten delightful days were passed in wandering and admiring. If you have ever read Cooper's Bravo it would give you the best description of this strangely beautiful city, now comparatively deserted. The palace of the Doges is uninhabited, and the visiter hears nothing but the echo of his own footsteps, as he passes through its spacious halls, admiring the matchless works of art which adorn its walls. The "Bridge of sighs" is closed as a passage, but we stood upon it like our illustrious bard, and the dungeons are happily thrown open. It fortunately happened while we were at Venice a boat race took place; the first that has been known since the time of the Doges, and it is difficult to give an idea of anything half so beautiful. The evening was such an one as you must go to Venice to see, a sky of gold and purple, reflected in the clear still waters upon which were ten thousand boats decorated with every possible color and vying with the nautilus in grace and elegance. The costumes were those of centuries back, so that one might have imagined oneself in the days of the Falieri. Every window and balcony was filled with gaily dressed people, and hung with draperies of more colors than the rainbow, some of the costliest velvet, damask, tapestry, and carpet, from the seventh story down to the waters' edge. The Rialto was a blaze of color and peopled like a beehive. Bands of music and triumphant songs, and to complete the romance an ancient fued was revived, and vivas for the Nicolotte and the Castellani were echoed as the various boats went by. It was such a sight as few travellers ever had the privilege of seeing and one that I shall keep in my memory to brighten sombre things that dwell there. As for the gondolas, they are like floating coffins, painted quite black and when the black house is on they only have room for two persons, so we substituted an awning, which gave us better opportunity of seeing. "There are a few planks of the old Bucentaur,* and a gilded model kept in the arsenal, which once sent forth its conquering fleets, but which has now only a few small boats building in it, but I am sure when one saw the instruments of torture preserved as relics of what was done in its prosperity, one could not help rejoicing in the destruction of such power. "From Venice we travelled through the Tyrol, surpassing everything I had ever heard of it, in romantic beauty. We stopped at Trent, An elegant model of this relic of antiquity is preserved at the Polytechnic institution in Regent Street, and the description of our correspondent was vividly before us, as we contemplated the picture of the Doge's palace in the dissolving views, exhibited daily in that excellent institution.-Ed. 4 x ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 10.-VOL. FOR 1841. |