779 A passage completed in fifteen weeks would be considered a very good one, but merchant ships following the usual route, from the prevalence of calms and adverse winds and currents, we believe are seldom so fortunate as to accomplish the voyage out in so short a time. Making reasonable allowances for causes of delay, an answer to a letter sent from England, cannot now be expected before the lapse of eight or nine months. We have, Sir, latterly been so surprised and pleased with accounts of the rapidity of transits to and from America; and the vastly improved transmission of letters to and from India via the Red Sea, that the very tardy mode of conveyance of epistolary correspondence above alluded to, begins to create dissatisfaction. Independant of the benefit to be derived from such facilities to communication as steam affords, iu a commercial point of view, we may safely say that the affectionate ties of relation and friend, as forcibly claim a voice in the furtherance of a project that shall tend to shorten the period of the transmission of the reciprocal thoughts, hopes, and wishes among those who are separated by an interminable ocean. Happily, Sir, for the age in which we live, the vast power of steam enables us to look forward with confidence for the accomplishment of desires, which had they been expressed a century or two ago, would have been deemed visionary and impossible. We know not, indeed, the limits to which this wonderful force may yet be applied; but we may speak of that which we know has been proved. Considering the rising importance of the Australian Colonies, it seems desirable that some definite and regular mode of conveyance for the mails should be adopted, as well as for quicker transits. Is there any objection to the formation of a regular line of steam-packets, not round the Cape of Good Hope, but by the following route? In the first place, the mails may be conveyed by the same route as those destined for India, and deposited at Bombay, thence re-shipped in a steamer which may either proceed direct to the Swan River, or call at some port of Sumatra or Java, for supplies if found necessary. From the direction of the course, either monsoon would become a "soldier's wind;" that is to say, fair, going to or coming from, either place above named. At the Swan River the mails may be transferred to another steamer, which would drop those for Port Philip, and Hobart Town, in her way to Sydney; and the New Zeeland bag may be conveyed thither by a fast-sailing schooner. I have, Sir, been induced to throw out this suggestion in consequence of having recently seen a plan for the more speedy transit of letters to New Zeeland, by steam as far as Chagres, thence by courier to Panama, and from that place by a fast-sailing vessel across the Pacific to the destined islands. Considering the light winds and calms to be expected near the line, and within the southern tropic, and adverse stormy gales extra-tropical between 140° west, and New Zeeland, we imagine that the route, via Bombay, as stated above, would prove the most speedy. To the Editor, &c. HOPE. NAUTICAL NOTICES. CROWN AND BLUNDELL ISLANDS off Morrison Island, Coast of China. The following extract from the log of the ship Blundell forwarded to us by Com. R. Collinson, RN., surveying on the Coast of China, is important to vessels navigating that yet unknown part of the world. Extract from the log of the ship Blundell. "The general appearance of Morrison Island is barren and rocky, with few trees, it is, perhaps, 10' long, and highest at the south-east end. "There is a large village on the south side, and the valley behind beautifully cultivated. The houses appear of stone and well built. "The position of the easternmost island agrees exactly with that given by the American ship Morrison, to one named after her; but no notice is taken by her, or in any other chart of the larger one. "It is 15' from Morrison Island and extends 30' in an N.N.E. and S.S.W. direction. Off the south-west part of it, and separated by a channel of half a mile, or a mile, is another small island, and 10' or 15'S.W. is a fourth, four or five leagues long, which is Crown Island. The large or Blundell Island is higher than the others, and liable to be thought one with Crown Island when seen from the westward. It is very uneven, composed of high sharp peaks. Crown Island lower and more level with a large village on the south-west side. "Latitude 28° 04' N., longitude 129° 38′ E. Outer Islands, W.S.W. to W.b.S. S., 10' leagues. N.B.-Longitude agrees with Chusan." THE BASSES-Ceylon. Ship Tigris, Trincomalee, Sept. 1st, 1840. SIR. Having occasion to pass inside the Great Basses on my passage from Colombo to the above named harbour, I found the following ledge of soundings stretching out from the rocks in a north-east direction. Extract from the log of the Tigris, Aug. 28th, 11h. 40m. AM.-) -Fresh breezes at south-west, with fine clear weather. Saw the Great Basses bearing S.E.b.S., one mile and a half. Hauled out south-east, at 12h. 20m. P.M.; the rocks bore S.W.b.S., one mile and a half; steered then north-east eight miles, with the rocks bearing south-west, and had the following soundings, viz. 9. 10. 12. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 64. Had one cast of six fathoms when five miles from the rocks." As there are no such soundings laid down in Horsburgh's or the Admiralty charts, (all of which I have), I take the liberty of sending the above correct soundings, running out from the north-east end of the Great Basses. I am, &c., JOHN SYMONS, [A question arises as to whether these soundings were taken at equal intervals of distance from each other, which we should feel obliged to the master of the Tigris to answer.-ED.] THE ANNA SHOal, reported iN THE ATLANTIC. We record the following statement although "the shoal" reported seems to have been the wreck of a vessel. The master appears to have had the same antipathy to dropping his lead overboard as others before him. Extract from the log of the Sicilian brig Anna. "Tuesday, June 8th, 1841, P.M.-Ship sailing with all sails set. "At 3 P.M. observed a shoal to the south, distance about two miles, appearing to the eye like a ship with three masts of equal height, and inclining towards the south, and about fifty feet high, surrounded by shoals level with the water. "Wind at the time being S. E.b.S. The same by calculation at 3 P.M. "Having made seven miles to the eastward from noon to that hour." The weather being unfavourable, the master could not make any local observations, and was obliged to pursue his voyage to Naples. (Signed) MARCO CARMELICH, CONDADO BANK, PANAMA BAY. We understand that H. M. S. Acteon, Capt. Russel, in working into the bay of Panama on the 26th of December last, grounded on a bank called the Condado not laid down in the charts, with the following bearings.-Panama Cathedral W.b.S. the outer Perico island S.S.W. W. The ship took the ground from 4 fathoms, payed off before the wind and in ten minutes was again afloat. The upper part of Panama bay off the Town has very shoal water, and as there is no good survey yet made of it, a measure so highly desirable in these days of Steam Navigation, vessels are recommended not to make too free in standing inshore. PRINCESS SHOAL, New Ireland.-From Mr. Purdy. July 4th, 6 A.M.—On the 9th of June 1829, the Princess Royal sailed from Port Jackson, bound to Batavia; and she got through St. George's Channel on the 2nd of July, at 8 p. m.; that day it became quite calm, we found the ship had driven alongside a steep bank or reef, but the water was so very smooth it was some minutes before we discovered our danger. The kedges were immediately got out, but the water was so deep they were of no use. Got the boats abreast and endeavoured to tow her head off but could not. At 2 a.m. a light breeze springing up from the southward when she immediately went off, cut the warps and made all sail. Whilst alongside the bank, the water was so smooth that we scarcely felt the touch. The latitude is 4° 6' S., and longitude 151° 37′ E. of Greenwich, and lies directly in the fairway of ships steering to the westward from St. Georges Channel-the extent could not be ascertained. Soundings along the side of the bank, starboard five chains 9 feet, mizen chains 7 feet, larboard five chains 11 fathoms, mizen chains 12 fathoms, under the fore foot 5 fathomis, under the stern post 5 fathoms dash; at a ship's length to the northward no bottom at 50 fathoms. Bearings from the ship whilst alongside the bank. Cape Stephens S.W W. 12m., Point marked A. S.b.E. E. 11m.-True bearings. THE MONEY SHOAL-Arrafura Sea. The following is an important addition to the charts of this sea. Dean March, Bristol, Sept. 21, 1841. SIR.-I take the liberty of sending you information of a coral shoal which I passed over, in the Ship William Money on my late voyage from Sydney towards India, by way of Torres Straits, three other ships were in company viz., Lady Clarke, Livingstone, and King William, and our longitudes agreeing within two miles, the said shoal lies in 10° 19' S. latitude and 132° 47' E. longitude, its extent about 5 miles, and the shoalest cast we had was 4 fathoms. It is probable, that shortly this shoal may become very dangerous, and I could find no danger placed in any of my charts near the above situation; perhaps you may think it worthy of notice in your truly useful and excellent publication, and may be of service to some of our friends sailing in the Timor Sea. To the Editor, &c. I am, &e. S. GREEN, The following extracts from the Shipping Gazette contain new and important matter to seamen : NEW BUOY AT BAHIA.-The French consul at Babia informs us by letter, that a red buoy will be placed on the sand bank which extends from Fort Gamba, or St. Maratho, to opposite the Obelisk, at the public garden. On entering, this buoy must be passed on the right; the same is placed at a depth of 24 fathoms at low water. The necessity of placing a buoy on this bank is shown by many ships having touched on the same lately. LIGHT VESSEL AT SAVANA.-Custom-house Savana, Aug. 9-The following information in relation to the floating light near Martins Industry, and the bearings and distance from it of adjacent points, is deemed of sufficient interest to mariners to render its publication proper. The floating light is moored near Martins Industry, in latitude 31° 7′ N., longitude 80° 34′ W., and has the following soundings:-At high water, 6 fathoms; common tides, 51; low water, 61; Tybee lighthouse bearing S.W.b. W. W., distance 15 miles; Hiton Head bearing N.W. N., distance 8 miles; Bay Point bearing N.N.W. W., distance 8 miles.-James Hunter, Collector. The following notices will place seamen on their guard until we can obtain more precise accounts of the dangers alluded to. The "Red Cliffs" is an ambiguous term which we trust the harbour-master will explain to us. With respect to the rock off Sea Elephant Island, having consulted Capt. Wickham's survey, we believe the rock lies N.N.E. from the body of the island within the distance specified, instead of S.S. W. as would appear from the account. Another rock stated to be off the west end, is about midway between the north and south extremes on the western shore. PORT PHILIP.—Capt. Lewis, the harbour-master, has very kindly furnished us with the following maritime information :-" Opposite the Red Bluff, on the eastern side of the harbour of Port Philip, there is a sunken rock, with eight feet of water above it at three-quarter flood; its situation is about two miles W.b.S. from the Red Cliffs, with deep water close to the edge of the rock.” No. 1-KINGS ISLAND.-The N.N.E. Rock.-Off Sea Elephant Island, in Bass Straits, about four miles, there is a rock visible at low water, but covered at the flood. The body of the Island bears by compass from the rock, N.N.E.; at half-tide it is visible above water to the size and height of a whale boat. No. 2-KINGS Island.-The Midway Rock.-The rock off the west end of Kings Island, Bass Straits, some account of which was formerly published in the Melbourne lies in latitude 39° 51' instead of 40° 9' as was formerly papers, stated. This error in the published account (which might lead to serious consequences) escaped Capt. Lewis's attention at the time it appeared, in conse quence of his absence at the Heads.-Port Philip Patriot, NEW ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN.-Capt. Dougherty, of the ship James Stewart, whaler, arrived at this port, last week, reports that, on the 29th of May, 1841, at 2 A.M., saw land a head, luffed and cleared it; it appeared to be an island five or six miles in length, running N.E. and S.W., with a high round bluff on the N.E. end, with low land to the S.W.; between the N.E. and S. W. ends there appeared a valley covered with ice and snow; we passed it within a quarter of a mile, going at least ten knots, latitude 59° 20' S., longitude 120° 20' W. The latitude and longitude may differ a few miles, by reason of not having had proper observations for several preceding and following days. This island is not laid down in any of our charts.-St. John, N.B., Courier, Aug. 21. ORLEANA REEF.-China Sea. The following is a very important shoal communicated to the Shipping Gazette, and we recommend our readers frequenting the China Sea, to lose no time in transferring it to their charts. It is evidently a continuation of the cluster of reefs, commencing with the London Reefs on the north, and extending southward of the Bombay Castle. By laying down the courses and distances, run by the Orleana, the crescent form of the reef, and the position of the ship is sufficiently apparent. Owens Shoal, alluded to by Captain Cameron, is considerably to the northward of the Orleana Reef.-ED. N.M. "On the 27th of May, 1841, about 8 A.M., on my passage down the China Sea, in the Orleana, with a light wind at south-west, saw a ripple from the deck; tacked immediately and took a cast of the lead; got eighteen fathoms. Next cast eight feet, the bottom seen plainly from the deck-rugged black and white coral rocks. Then, heading W.N.W., but finding the water no deeper, kept away N.N.W., the opposite course to that we had been steering on the star-board tack, keeping the depth of from eight to twenty fathoms, the bottom seen plainly in thirteen fathoms. From first sounding we had made about a northwest course six miles, when the ripple was seen about a point on the lee bow; at 9h. 30m. tacked to the S.S.E. in about the same depths for three miles, when white patches were reported from the masthead on the weather bow bearing south. Not being able to weather them, at 10h. 30m. tacked to W.N.W. in seven fathoms, (six miles.) At this time, from the masthead, the shoal had the form of a crescent, and the ship embayed in the middle of it; the southern extremity white patches, and the north-west a ripple, as far as the eye could reach. Stood on the larboard tack, W.N.W., in the same depths, when about noon it suddenly deepened to forty fathoms, and shortly afterwards no bottom, with 120 fathoms of line. Noon-lat. observed 7° 56′ north, long. by chronometer, at 9 A.M., 111° 38' east. I had, by daylight, reckoned to be clear of Owens Shoal, which I now believe this to be a part of, or very closely connected, for the following reasons, (see the supplement to Horsburgh's Directory, Cape 643.)-The description Horsburgh gives of its appearance under the ship, agrees exactly with what was seen from our deck, but only in extent about two miles. If connected with that which we were on, he must only have passed over a small portion of it. He gives the lat. 8° 8' north, long. 111° 59' cast. At 9 A.M. our latitude, deduced from noon, was 7° 58' north, and long. by chronometer, 111° 38' east, both of us having good observations. At that time the white patches were seen from our masthead several miles to the southward. That it cannot be of less than twenty miles or upwards, in a S.S.E. and N.N.W. direction, as it is the south-west extremity of the Archipelago of shoals in the China Sea, (for anything we know as yet,) it must be of importance for ships leaving China late in the season to know its extent, if under the necessity of taking the Strait of Balabac. As the water was quite smooth and no current, I judged there was much less water where the ripple was than where we sounded; as for the bottom that was seen, we had no indication till right over it, and was always seen sooner from deck than aloft. I was anxious to sound in the ripple, but not knowing how soon we might want the boats for other purposes, did not make the attempt. "St. Katharine's Dock, Oct. 14, 1841." "ALEXANDER CAMERON. |