COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL

ASSOCIATION OF GHENT

(Belgium).

GHENT, with its large factories, its important commercial houses, and its

population of 200,000 inhabitants, is, by its topographical advantages, one of the most favourable centres for the development of industry, commerce, and navigation, and offers immense facilities in the way of transport. Two large rivers, the Scheldt and the Lys, meet here, and, supplemented by several canals, form the waterways of the two Flanders (Hainault), and the North of France. The Belgian Government and several private Railway Companies have made Ghent the starting point of lines to all parts of the Continent. It is one of the most direct routes from the sea to North France, South-West Germany, Alsace-Lorraine, Switzerland, and Italy.

The port is capable of accommodating vessels up to 2,500 tons burthen, and for a number of years several services of steamers have been plying twice a week between Ghent and various English and Dutch ports.

Spacious sheds and appliances of the most improved kind have been erected along the quays. Ships can discharge direct on the railway truck or cart, into entrepôt, on to quay, or under the sheds.

Movable cranes, lifts, and all appliances necessary for speed and economy are at the disposal of the trading public, as are also the Sheds and Bonding Warehouses. Dry Docks, 426 feet in length and 42 in breadth, are in course of construction, and will probably be finished at the end of the year.

The water in the old dock, the timber dock, and at the "Avant Port" is on the same level. These docks are very spacious, and offer every facility and security for the manoeuvring of ships.

The Navigation, Pilotage, Police, Railways and Customs Offices are all on the dock, and the authorities make a duty of affording all possible advantages and facilities to the shipping trade in general. Old and well established commercial houses, ship brokers, and forwarding agents exist on the spot.

The only compulsory taxes for vessels are Dock dues, which are very moderate. No other tax or duty is imposed.

The use of the Sheds, Bonding Warehouses, and appliances for loading, unloading, or moving of goods is optional, and when same are employed the charges are very moderate.

The canal which joins the port to the sea is all along 183 feet broad at water-level, and offers every security over its short extent of 30 kilometres. It is open both night and day, and navigation thereon is entirely free.

All vessels up to 90 metres (295 feet) in length, and 11.50 metres (38 feet) beam, and not exceeding 5'40 metres (17) feet) draught, can enter the lock at the entrance of the canal, and come right up to Ghent throughout the whole year ·

THE

SHIPPING WORLD

SERIES.

No. I.

Marine Engineering of the Victorian Era.

ILLUSTRATED.

No. II.

Marine Boilers: Their Construction & Maintenance.

ILLUSTRATED.

No. III.

Navigation Ancient and Modern.

ILLUSTRATED.

No. IV.

Fifty Years of Shipbuilding :

A Review of Naval Architecture.

ILLUSTRATED.

No. V.

The Mariner's Compass.

ILLUSTRATED.

Price 3d. each. By post, 4d.

LONDON: THE "SHIPPING WORLD," LIMITED, 25, PILGRIM STREET, LUDGATE HILL, E.C.

SALVAGE and WRECK RAISING

No. VI.

(ILLUSTRATED.)

By JOHN JAMES FLETCHER, C.E.

THIS little book, of about 70 pages, deals with a subject interesting to Shipowners, Underwriters, and others connected with Maritime pursuits. It is a reprint from the Shipping World of a serial article which ran through several numbers of that journal.

It comprises, amongst other matters, interesting information concerning the ancient laws affecting Salvage, and those now in force; particulars of the constitution, history, and objects of the London, Liverpool, and Glasgow Salvage Associations, with instances of the more notable services to the shipping community that have been performed by those organisations.

It gives also reference to the principal Salvage Contractors and Companies throughout the world.

Dealing with the history of Salvage it recounts the adventures of Sir William Phipps; and upon the authority of Dionysius, of Halicarnassus, relates how Alexander the Great made a descent in a diving bell.

Tracing the progress of the Diving Bell and the Diver's Equipment, it shows, by illustrations, several forms of early contrivances, bringing the reader down by stages to the latest modern appliances.

Information is given as to feats of endurance on the part of Divers, and upon the subjects of Submarine Lamps, Leak Stoppers, and other means of stopping holes in a wrecked ship.

This is followed by a Table of Constants for assisting the calculation of the dead weight of a wreck to be lifted, which leads on to the consideration of Ropes, Chains, Wire Ropes and Bands, and other lifting tackle.

The most modern forms of Pumps, by several makers, are then illustrated, and due consideration is given to the admirable lifting Lighters of the Thames Conservancy.

Diagrams are also given of other Pontoons which have been used in successful instances of wreck raising.

Although dealing with a technical subject, the book will be found of interest to everyone who is in any way concerned about shipping, and the low price at which the present issue is made puts it within the reach of everyone having any interest-historical, legal, or mechanical-in the subject

it treats.

Price 6d., by Post 7d.

LONDON: THE "SHIPPING WORLD" LIMITED 25, PILGRIM STREET, LUDGATE HILL, E.C

Royal

National Lifeboat Institution

(Supported Solely by Voluntary Contributions). Patron.-HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN. Vice-Patrons.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES. ADMIRAL H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, K.G. LIEUT. H.R.H. PRINCE GEORGE OF WALES, R.N., K.G. President.-His Grace the DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G.

General Summary of the Services of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution during 1889.

Number of lives rescued by Lifeboats in addition to 17

£

s. d.

In addition, the Society expended £46,817 on various Lifeboat Establishments on the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Committee of the Institution acknowledge with gratitude the liberal support which they have received from the British public during the last few years-a support which has enabled them to establish their present great fleet of 300 Lifeboats on the shores of the United Kingdom. Deeply sensible, however, of the great responsibility that rests on them to maintain their fleet in a thoroughly efficient state, and its crews practised in the management of their boats, which can only be effected by a large and permanent Annual Income, they earnestly appeal to all classes of their countrymen to continue to aid them in upholding and perpetuating so great and truly national a work.

The number of lives saved, either by the Lifeboats of the Society, or by sp.cial exertions, for which it has granted rewards, since its formation, is 35,134, for which services 97 gold medals, 1,030 silver medals and clasps, 184 binocular glasses, 15 telescopes, 4 aneroid barometers 9 framed certificates of service, and £111,216 have been given as rewards.

The expense of a Lifeboat, its equipment, transporting carriage and boathouse averages £1,050, in addition to £70 a year needed to keep the station in a state of efficiency.

Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received by the bankers of the Institution, Messrs. Coutts & Co., 59, Strand; Messrs. Berries, Farquhar & Co., St. James's Street; Messrs. Hoare, 37, Fleet Street, London; by all the other Bankers in the United Kingdom; and by the Secretary, Charles Dibdin, Esq., at the Office of the Institution, 14, John Street, Adelphi, London, W.C.