09-30-sayw Transport. ADDENDA. OCTOBER, 1853. DURING the progress of this work through the press, the following alterations and additions have become requisite. L'ORIENT.—At this port two small fixed lights were established in 1850, one of which is shown from the little hill of La Periere, and the other from the church they are both visible about 9 miles.-Page 17. LA ROCHELLE.-At La Rochelle are two lights (1852). That on the eastern quay (fanal d' amont) revolves every 3 minutes, and is visible 10 miles; that on the western quay (fanal d' aval), is 257 yards S.E. by E. † E. from the former light, and is coloured red.-Page 33. RIVER GIRONDE.-We have been informed that considerable alterations have recently taken place in the sands and also in the buoyage at the entrance of the river; the assistance of a pilot will, therefore, be imperatively necessary to those who are unacquainted with the navigation. We also avail ourselves of this opportunity to remark. that a pilot should always be obtained for the rivers and harbours of the west coast of France, as since the last survey many important changes are known to have taken place. A fixed red light, 46 feet above the sea, and visible 7 miles, has recently been established at the distance of 601 yards W. N. from Terre Negre Light. In reference to this light the following is said to be now the course into the river:-" When Coubre Light bears N.N.E., steer for the Cordouan Light until the two Terre Negre Lights come in one, then toward these lights until the Cordouan Light bears S.S.W. when you must steer S.E.S." (1852.)-Page 35. FUENTARABIA.-Here a light is shown, but only when the fishermen are at sea. A light is also said to be exhibited at Passage; but of this we are uncertain.-Page 49. CASTRO URDIALES.-From St. Anne's Castle a light is shown, which flashes red every three minutes, and is visible about 13 miles. Its height above the sea is about 143 feet, and the illuminated arc of the horizon is 270°. To be first exhibited on the 19th of November, 1853. In the official notice from which the above is copied, it was stated that the rocks on which the hermitage of Santa Anna is erected, extend themselves in a S.E. direction to the distance of 318 feet.-Page 57. POINT ESTACA.-On this point there is a lighthouse showing a light revolving every minute, at an elevation of 312 feet above the sea, visible 20 miles. Page 68. FERROL.—In this harbour a dangerous rock has recently been discovered (Sept. 1853), which from the bearings we suppose to be on the south side of the channel. "It is named the Cabalino, and lies with the south-east angle of San Felipe Castle N. 71° E.; the south angle of San Carlos Castle N. 14° W.; and the north-west angle of San Martin's Castle N. 85° E. Its distance from the south shore of the channel is not more than half a cable's length. It is nearly circular in form, about 7 feet in diameter, and at low water its summit is awash, though concealed by the seaweed; the depth around it is 9 feet close-to, and increases to 18 feet. At S.E. by E. from the Cabalino, distant 74 yards, is the Cabalo, consisting of three connected masses of rock, the highest and north-westernmost of which is of a tabular form, nearly round, and connected with the Cabalino by a reef. The Cabalo rises 8 feet above the sea, and is nearly 24 feet across, N.W. to S.E. --Page 69. SISARGAS ISLETS.-On the northernmost projecting peak of Isla Major, the largest of these islands, there is a lighthouse exhibiting a bright light with red flashes every 4 minutes, at an elevation of 363 feet above the sea, visible 3 leagues.-Page 72. CAPE FINISTERRE. On the southern point of the cape there is a lighthouse which shows a light, revolving every half minute, at an elevation of 474 feet above the sea, visible 24 miles. (Aug., 1853.)-Page 74. AROSA BAY.-On the south end of Salbora Island there is a lighthouse showing a light varied by red flashes every 2 minutes, which is 83 feet above the level of the sea and can be seen about 16 miles off. There is also a lighthouse on Cabalo Point, the north-west extremity of Arosa Island, which shows a fixed light visible about 10 miles. This island is within the entrance of the bay. Page 77. BAYONNA ISLANDS.-On Mount Faro at the southern extremity of the centre island is a lighthouse, which shows a light, eclipsing every alternate minute, at an elevation of 650 feet (Burgo's measure), so that it ought to be visible about 30 miles.-(Nov. 1853.)-Page 79. OPORTO. To run into the harbour a pilot is always necessary. The following signals are now made (Nov. 1849) from a mast with a yard-arm Page 84. Two balls at the mast-head....... ....Keep to the north of the bar. ... Three balls at the right yard-arm One ball at the right yard-arm One black ball at mast-head........ One black ball at the mast-head, and one at the extremity of the right ..Keep to the south of the bar. A black ball at each end of yard-arm... (By coming near you may be piloted. A black ball at mast-head, and one on Make for the bar. each yard-arm................. AVEIRO.-The stone pyramids are no longer used to point out the channel over the bar; but at about 900 fathoms east of the bar there is a circular signal-tower, white-washed, the summit of which is about 58 feet above the sea level. We believe, also, that the intention to show a light has been aband it was to have been a revolving light.-Page 87. 1 ALGECIRAS.-On Verde Island a small fixed light is shown.-(June, 1850.)-Page 111. MAZAGHAN.—Mr William Falconer says of this bay, in 1839 :-" In the bay there is a dangerous reef which can generally be distinguished, as the sea in fine weather breaks upon it; there is also a dangerous patch of rocks lying W.N.W. from the old light-tower, distant 720 fathoms, upon which the sea breaks at low water during tempestuous weather. The best anchorage is to bring the two flag-staffs on the Sardinian Consul's house in one, and anchor in 5 fathoms water, as by so doing you come upon a patch of blue clay, the rest of the bay being without exception rocky bottom. The prevailing wind is N.E., and when it blows strong a heavy sea tumbles in and renders the bay far from secure. A N.W. wind is also a very unwelcome visitor, but with the wind from any point of the compass from N.E. by E. round to N.W. by W it is always safe. Provisions and stock of all kinds are very good and cheap. The appearance of the town from the sea is like an old ruined fortification, and the high tower of Tett or Tid to the southward of it, with the town of Azamor to the northward of it, say 7 miles, (the buildings of which are all flat-topped and white-washed), are the only remarkable objects near it. There is a great deal of sameness in the appearance of the land all the way from Cape Blanco north to Rabat. It is a sterile sandy country of moderate height, with here and there a Mahomedan saint-house."-Page 115. MOGADOR.-It is frequently the case that vessels bound to this port have too great a tonnage to permit them to anchor safely; the following must, therefore, be attended to. When a red and white flag is hoisted under the national colours at the respective consulates, it will be a signal that there is danger attending the vessel entering the bay, either from its crowded state, or from the fact of the vessel requiring a greater draught of water than the anchorage affords.-Jan. 27th, 1851.)-Page 117. CAPE MOUNT.-Commander Forbes, R.N., says, that "between the Sherbro' River and Cape Mount, during the months of May, June, July, and the early part of August, while the S.W. winds prevail, the current runs to the N.W. 2 miles an hour, with a heavy swell tending in shore. In the latter part of August and September, the winds changing to the N.W. or northward of West, the current turns to the S.E. with a force not exceeding 2 miles and seldom less than one. During the calm months there is but little current if any. At At 200 miles from the coast there is scarcely any perceptible current. the full of the moon there is frequently a strong tide ripple at night, which comes down with the noise and appearance of breakers."-Page 146. RIVER BONNY.-We are informed that no ship should anchor off the entrance of this river in 4 fathoms, and that she will lie in safety only in a depth of not less than 7 fathoms. The same informant tells us that strangers should not on any account attempt the river, and that as a rule all ships, the masters of which have not been on the coast of Africa before, should obtain the assistance of a pilot when running for any anchorage between Mogador and the Bight of Benin, as the sands are apt frequently to shift.-Page 161. OLD CALABAR RIVER.-To run into this river it is absolutely essential to obtain the assistance of a pilot. Mr. Consul Beecroft says in 1851, "At the entrance there is a knoll of 2 fathoms, which bears South from the south end of Tom Shot's R ef, distant about 2 miles; to avoid it in coming in from the westward, steer East in 8, 9, or 10 fathoms. If the weather is clear so as to see East Head, get it N.E., then steer N. by E. from the river of Old Calabar. All the rivers in these bights want surveying. Knolls and sandbanks get up and disappear in two or three years. Breaker Island is larger now, with trees on it."-Page 163. SIMON'S BAY.-The rock mentioned in the foot-note of page 204 has had a beacon erected on it, with the work "rock," in very legible characters (Sept., 1853).-Page 204. AZORES.-At Santa Clara Fort, St. Michael's, a lighthouse was said to be building in 1852. We have not heard of it being lighted.—Page 222. CAPE VERDE'S.-Port Praya, St. Jago, is sometimes difficult to find in consequence of St. Catharine's Peaks being obscured by clouds, Mr Charles Perry gives, therefore, the following directions. "After making the island, being outward bound, steer to the S.W. till the south extreme of the land bears W. by N., when the S.E. point will be distinctly in view, having Red Hill behind upon the same bearing; haul up then to the westward and pass the point at about three-quarters of a mile off, Quail Island (having a black appearance) will then be seen to the N.W., and you should steer up for the north end of it till you fairly open the bay, then luff up to about N.N.W., and anchor midway between Quail Island and the eastern shore of the bay, in 7 fathoms, having Red Hill just open to the northward of the island.-Nautical Magazine, Aug., 1853.-Page 281. ROCKS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC.-We think that we may now conclude that the Three Chimnies do not exist, although it is stated that they have been seen on more than one occasion, as Lieut. Berryman, of the United States surveying brig Dolphin, in the very position assigned to these dangers, succeeded in getting bottom at a depth of 1900 fathoms, in August, 1853. If these rocks do exist, it is wonderful that they are not frequently seen as they lie in the very track of vessels bound to the northern ports of North America; at any rate we may be sure that they do not exist in the position hitherto assigned to them -Pages 289 and 293. We may also conclude that the following rocks, Ashton, False Bermudas, Nyes', Vankeulen's vigia, Josyna, Steen Ground, and Maria or Mary's, do not exist, as they were sought for by Lieut. J. C. Walsh, of the U.S. Navy, in 1850, but without success. Lieut. Walsh says, "not one of these rocks was found, nor any indication of their existence; on the contrary, every evidence to disprove it. Our various tracks over and about their reported positions, covering the extent of 14° of longitude, and 40 miles of latitude, with the many and deep soundings, from 100 to 800 fathoms, without getting bottom, will be found sufficient, I trust, to satisfy navigators that they have no existence or at least, that those parts of the ocean in which they have been reported to exist, are free from all dangers. To the first three mentioned we gave the most thorough search: to Ashton Rock, six days' time; to the False Bermudas eight days; to Nye's Rock, likewise eight days. All our tracks were by daylight, as the schooner was always hove to at night, while engaged in these explorations. A slight discoloration of water was noticed in the region assigned to Mary's Rock, but no soundings could be got with 500 fathoms. This rock had been previously searched for with like results, by the U.S. Exploring Expedition, Captain Wilkes; and by H.M.S. Levin, Captain Bartholomew. Ashton Rock is placed in a most frequented part of the ocean; there is not a day that some vessel does not pass in the vicinity, and nothing has been seen of it since the first and only report of it in the year 1824. This fact alone should disprove it, independent of our search. There are sufficient real dangers in the Atlantic; these imaginary ones should not disfigure the charts; they only serve to harass navigators, turn vessels from their routes, and thus injure commerce. The reports of them by merchant |