done before breaking bulk. What is to be observed in making certain passages to various ports within the limits of the trades and monsoons. Should the vessel be stranded before arrival at the port of destination, what duty is involved by the master. What will vitiate a policy of insurance on a stated voyage. If detained by arbitrary authority or caprice at a foreign port, what should be done for the interest of the owner that he may not be without the means of obtaining redress. When the vessel stands in need of repair abroad, what must be done to obtain the necessary funds in case of need, and what the precaution to be observed in obtaining them. A portion of the cargo is damaged by stress of weather, how is the vessel to be protected when the said goods are to be delivered. What is to be observed with regard to the employment, services, victualling, and control of the crew, in berthing them, keeping them clean, and in regard to Sunday at sea. What are the powers vested in the master to rule his crew, how are they to be exercised, and what is at the same time expected of him. I have set these requisites down without much order, just as they occurred to me, and I hope the time will come when even mates of ships will be able to show that they are well acquainted with them. Liverpool. I am, &c., A MASTER MARINER. P.S. As to ships, I think that Lloyd's should, instead of employing only a few surveyors to attend to the business exclusively, have all their surveyors exclusively engaged, and that their number should be consistent with the size or tonnage of the various ports. If it is really for the interest of the shipowner that his vessel should be well examined and thoroughly repaired, and that he should confide in the rectitude, zeal, diligence and judgment of his captain, if he is a respectable and clever man, as much as in the disinterestedness and business-habits of agents abroad. Perhaps, sir, I may write you again on this subject. ON THE NEW STANFORD CHANNEL, Lowestoft Roads. H.M.S. Shearwater, Lowestoft Roads, Nov. 29th, 1842. SIR.-It is with much gratification I acquaint you, that a new and available channel, carrying 20 feet throughout at low water springs, has recently opened itself directly through the body of the Holm Sand into Lowestoft roads.. Having heard from the pilots in the course of the autumn that a 12 feet channel existed in a certain direction over the sands, which they termed the "Fishermen's Gat," we proceeded to sound this passage, in order that we might take advantage of it in running in and out of the roads, while employed surveying on this part of the coast; but before the first day's examination was over, we found evident symptoms of a deeper and wider opening in a different direction; and a more complete examination has fully proved the existence of the above named channel lying in a south-west direction from the Stanford light vessel. You will, probably, remember that in 1834, or, perhaps, sooner, the Old Stanford channel had begun to fill up, and that the only entrance into Lowestoft roads was by the in-shore passage through the Pakefield Gat, in consequence of which Capt. Hewett was directed to re-survey this roadstead, the result of which was published by the Admiralty in 1836, and it is by comparison with that chart that I can better make you aware of the amount of the present extraordinary changes, all of which have taken place since that time. First, then, Lowestoft Ness, which I believe to be the chief cause of the change in the sand, has grown out 70 yards since November 1836, the date of the last survey, and this sandy Ness now projects rather more than 800 yards from the foot of the cliff forming an invaluable breakwater against northerly and southerly gales. Secondly. The Inner Shoal, as it is called, just to the southward of the south Ness, has spread considerably in breadth, and moved bodily to the eastward towards the Newcome sand, and has now only 12 feet water on it at a distance of little more than half a cable from the light vessel, thereby almost blocking up the eastern channel. Thirdly. The western edge of the south-west Corton sand, some distance north of the Ness, has advanced to the westward, the 12 feet line in some places occupying the position of the 24 feet line in 1836, thereby narrowing the north roads. These three causes combined appear, then, to have forced the current, most likely when increased by a high spring tide and a northerly gale, to burst through the barrier of the Holm sand and to excavate for itself a channel now five and thirty feet deep where before was a sand-bank with only one fathom of water on it. One effect (or perhaps indeed a cause) of this disturbance has been that the northern part of the Newcome sand, from a width of one cable, (within the 12 feet line) has spread itself out into a flat nearly half a mile wide, and hes moved bodily to the eastward so as entirely to fill up the Old Stanford Channel, so that where ships sailed in with occasionally a depth of six fathoms only so far back as the year 1830 is now an extensive shoal in places only 8 feet below the surface of the water. Another great change is in the southern part of what must now be called the Holm sand; here immediately opposite the Ness the current has cut away a large slice from the western edge of the shoal, and in some parts there are now 12 feet water where in 1836 was a sand-bank dry six feet above the surface; generally too this shoal does not dry over above half the space it formerly did. But all these changes are more than compensated by the opening to which I have before alluded, here is a passage which perhaps I may venture to name the New Stanford or Shearwater Channel nearly one-third of a mile wide with 20 feet throughout at low water springs; leading direct to the light vessel and enabling ships that may be caught to the southward in a S. W. gale, and cannot fetch into the Pakefield Gat, to run with a fair wind on a N. E. course into Lowestoft Roads; it will also enable vessels which break or slip from their anchors in Yarmouth Roads in a N.N.E. gale, instead of running to leeward for the Pakefield Gat and thereby risking the being carried on the Barnard, to stand clear out to sea with a fair offing from the shoal under their lee, with the additional advantage of not having to make a circuitous course, and to run the gauntlet through all the shipping that in blowing weather always fill this roadstead. Herewith I have the honour to forward a chart on the scale of 8 inches to a nautic mile, shewing the changes that have taken place in these sands, and the channel leading direct on a N. E. course to the Stanford Light vessel, and as I have the whole subject now before me, I have ventured to place on the chart three buoys, marking out the Channel, which I submit to the greater experience of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House. The 1st is a black buoy on the southern extremity of the Holm Sand. 2nd a white buoy on the western elbow or hook of the Holm. 3rd a red buoy on the eastern spit of the Newcome. I would also suggest that the Stanford light vessel be moved about two cables' length farther south; and placed at the north spit of the Newcome, thus leaving a channel into Lowestoft south roads, from the north, between her and the Inner Shoal. The N.W. Newcome buoy also requires moving out to the westward. It only remains to add that the examination of this channel and the drawing of the accompanying plan, was the work of Mr. E. K. Calver, Master and Assistant surveyor of this ship, in the short intervals of fair weather which have occurred during the last stormy fortnight. I am, &c., JOHN WASHINGTON, Captain, R.N. To Captain Beaufort, R.N., F.R.S., Corr. Inst. Fr. P.S.-I have felt it my duty to point out this Channel to the Pilots at Lowestoft, and shall make it generally known to the Revenue cruizers, and among Sea-faring men on my return to Harwich. [We are gratified in being able to state that the Corporation of the Trinity have promptly buoyed this New Stanford Channel, and issued a notice of it; and that the plan of Lowestoft Roads, shewing these dangers, has been published at the Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty. It may be observed, however, that the Stanford light vessel has not been moved to the North Newcome Spit, as recommended, therefore, all vessels, whether coming up or going down, must take care to pass her to the eastward.-ED. N.M.] NAUTICAL NOTICES. NAVIGATION OF THE CHANNEL.-The following petition has been presented to the House of Commons, and ordered to be referred to the committee on shipwrecks. To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament asssembled, humbly sheweth. That your petitioners being merchants, shipowners, and traders, belonging to the several places set against our respective names, have a great interest in the safe navigation of the English Channel, and most humbly represent to your honourable house that the many disasters which have taken place in the channel during the past year would, in a great degree, be avoided by the erection of permanent light-houses upon the Ridge, situate midway between Dungeness and Boulogne, or the Varne, situate between Folkestone and Boulogne, and upon the Goodwin upon the coast of Kent. Your petitioners are apprised that Mr. William Bush, civil engineer, of Union street, Deptford, is possessed of a patent right, whereby such important works could be constructed at a small comparative cost; and although his efforts upon the Goodwin Sands during the last summer were frustrated by a variety of unfortunate disasters, inseparable from new undertakings, and ultimately destroyed by a large ship called the Nancy, having run in upon the caissoon before it was completed; your petitioners, notwithstanding such casualty, are positively informed that the plan is good, and can be effected. And your petitioners, therefore, most humbly suggest to your honourable house the propriety of instituting an inquiry on the subject before a select committee of your honourable house. And your petitioners pray that such committee may be appointed accordingly. Signed by 80 signatures of the principal London merchants. [We are glad to find that there is some probability of these projects being carried into effect, and should they be so, the above notice will place seamen on their guard when running up channel. A light on the Ridge will be a good thing in many respects, and this dangerous shoal as well as its neighbour the Varne will then be robbed of its terrors to the ships navigating the most dangerous part of the English Channel.] Trinity-house, London, Jan. 24th, 1843. STANFORD CHANNEL, Lowestoft Roads.-The alterations which have been in progress for a considerable time past in and about the Newcome and Holm Sands, having rendered the old Stanford Channel again navigable, Notice thereof is hereby given, and that this Corporation has accordingly caused the said Channel to be buoyed out, and the buoys within and at the southern entrance thereof to be placed in the following positions, viz.— A red buoy on the east spit of the Newcome, marked "East Newcome," in 3 Fathoms, with the following marks and bearings, viz.— The chancel end of Lowestoft church in line with the large White House next west of Lowestoft Preventive Station House, N.b.W. Į W. Carlton Colville church, midway betwen Pakefield church and Pakefield windmill, W.b.N. ‡ N. South Holm buoy, E.bS. S. South Newcome buoy, S.W.b. W. } W. A black buoy on the south spit of the Holm Sand, marked "South Holm," in 34 Fathoms, with Lowestoft windmill in line with the west end of St. Peter's church at Lowestoft, N.b. W. W. Pakefield church, midway between Carlton Colville church and Pakefield windmill, W.b.N. N. Stanford light vessel, North. Holm Hook buoy, N.b.E. Middle Holm buoy, N.E.b.E. S. E. The above Buoys mark the southern entrance of the Channel, and lie onethird of a nautical mile apart. A white buoy on the West Hook of the Holm, marked "Holm Hook," in 6 Fathoms, with Lowestoft church tower in line with Lowestoft low lighthouse, N.W.b.N. A Six Vane Windmill West of Kirkley, in line with Kirkley North Windmill, N.W.b.W. } W. Stanford light vessel, N.b.W. W. South-west Corton buoy, N.b.E. E. Mariners are to observe, that the tides in the Stanford Channel set N.E. and S.W., and that the light vessel must always be passed to the eastward. Note.-The above bearings are magnetic, and the depths those of low water spring tides. By Order, J. HERBERT, Secretary. Trinity-house, London, Jan. 24th, 1843. HARWICH HARBOUR-The Shoals in and about the entrance of the Harwich Harbour having materially changed their positions. Notice is hereby given, that the following alterations in the Buoyage thereof have consequently been made by direction of this Corporation, viz: The Red Buoy, formerly placed off the S.W. end of Landguard Beach, has been removed, and a Black Buoy, marked "Beach End," placed off the South Spit thereof, in 24 fathoms, with the following marks and bearings, viz: The Mortella Tower on the Mound of Felixstow, in line with the S.E. angle of Landguard Fort, N.E.b.E. Harwich High Light Tower, it's apparent width open West of the low light House, N.N.W. W. # Andrews Buoy, S.E. The Black Buoy on the Altar has been removed about a Cable's length S.E. b.S. of its former position, and now lies in 3 fathoms, with The Mortella Tower ENLARGED SERIES.-No. 4.-VOL. FOR 1843. 2 M on the Mound of Felixstow, in a line with the Northernmost Boat House next North of Landguard Fort, N.E.b.E. E. Harwich high light tower, just open North of the low light house, N.W.b.N. Beach end buoy, S.b.E. E. Cliff foot Rock buoy, N.W.b.W. Glutton buoy, N.N.E. E. ་ And in order to point out the western boundary of the proper Channel to Harwich after passing the above Buoys, Two Red Buoys have been placed as under; viz. One on the East part of the Shoal marked "Glutton," in 9 feet, with Harwich church spire, N.W.b. W. W. Harwich cliff end, W. S. Felixstow Mortella tower, E.b.N. The other on the north end of the shoal, marked "Gristle," in 2 fathoms, with Landguard fort cupola, it's width open East of the flagstaff on the fort S.b.E. Harwich low light house, it's apparent width on with the North angle of Harwich citadel, W.b.S. & S. Glutton buoy, S. E. Ships and vessels using the Harwich Lights to enter the Harbour, must, to avoid Landguard Beach, after passing the Ridge keep the High Light well open West of the Low Light until Landguard Fort bears East, when they may haul in for the Beach and anchor. N.B. The above Bearings are Magnetic, and the Depths, those of Low Water Spring Tides. By Order, J. HERBERT, Secretary. PILOTAGE DEPARTMENT.-Belgium.-The minister for foreign affairs of H. M. the King of Belgium has given notice, that in compliance with the general request of the merchants, shipowners, masters of vessels, and other persons interested in the navigation of the river Scheldt, that a new service of Pilotage, has been established by the Belgium government from Flushing, in and out to sea, and from Flushing, up and down to Antwerp or Ghent, for the use of all ships bound to, or from Belgium. The new Belgium pilot-boats will be found cruising outside of all dangers, between Westkappel and Schouwen, for the north-east channel; and between Blankenberg and Nieuport for the Wielingen, or French channel. They are cutter-rigged, painted all black, and wear the name Antwerpen in their mainsail. They carry at the mast head a red flag, with their number in white. The Belgium pilots may be known by a silver medal, containing the arms of the kingdom, their number, and the station to which they belong; they are also provided with a license from the government. Masters making use of a Belgium pilot will be enabled to pay the pilotage dues in Antwerp or Ghent, their place of destination, by which they will avoid any stoppage at Flushing, and free themselves from the expensive employment of an agent in that place.-Shipping Gazette. Hydrographic-Office, Admiralty, March 10, 1843. DUNKERQUE AND GRAVELINES LIGHTS.-Notice has been given by the French government that the following lighthouses at Dunkerque and Gravelines, on the Coast of France, in the Departement du Nord, have been completed, and will be lighted on the 1st of May next. Dunkerque Revolving light.-The new lighthouse stands in lat. 51° 3′ N., and long. 2° 22' E., on the head of the pier, between the harbour and Fort Risban, and 1531 yards in a N. W. direction from l'Heuguenar tower. To a vessel distant, 4 or 5 leagues, the light will appear to revolve, being eclipsed once every minute; but within that distance a faint steady light will always be visible between the periods of the strong glare. |