danger (Illimani reef), on which the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's vessel Illimani was said to have been totally wrecked (after striking at about 2h. 30m. a.m. of 18th July, 1879, on her passage from Magellan strait to Valparaiso), has a depth of about 9 fathoms at a distance of 3 cables eastward of it, and is stated to lie with the following bearings and distances, viz : — Anegadiza point, N.N.W., distant 2ths miles; Sunken danger westward of Illimani reef, W. by S. S., distant 17ths mile.

Caution.-Mariners navigating in the vicinity of Mocha island, are warned that a strong north-easterly set may be experienced, for which (especially at night, or in thick weather) due allowance should be made. Variation, 173° E.

24.-SOUTH AMERICA.-West Coast-Chilé.-North Chaneral Bay-Rocks near Bryson Point.—Information relative to two sunken rocks lying north-westward of Bryson (Barquita) point, south side of north Chaneral bay :-These rocks, on the outer of which the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's vessel Colombia is stated to have touched when entering this bay on 21st August, 1879, are reported on the authority of Mr. G. J. Sheriff, of Chaneral, to lie in a N.W. by W. W. direction from Bryson point, at the respective distances of about 1 and 2 cables- the outer rock has about 14 feet over it at lower water; the inner, about 8 feet. Both rocks appeared to have a smooth surface, and to be composed of soft granite.

Caution.-Vessels should not round Bryson point at a less distance than half a mile. Variation, 12° E.

25.-UNITED STATES-Florida.-Beacon in front of the Main Light Amelia Island discontinued. --On and after January 1, 1880, the beacon-light, which, with the Amelia island main light, serves as a range to the whole channel, entrance to Saint Mary's river, will be discontinued.

26.-UNITED STATES.-Georgia.-Tybee Island Knoll LightShip discontinued. This light-ship at the mouth of Savannah river, will be withdrawn on January 1, 1880.

27.-UNITED STATES.-North Carolina.-Re-establishment of Cape Fear Light with a Range Beacon.-Change in Colour of Oak Island Range Beacons.-On and after January 1, 1880, the light

formerly known as the Cape Fear light, on Bald head, near southern or main entrance to Cape Fear river, will be re-established, and a small beacon light will be shown in front; the two forming a range to guide through the dredged channel into the river. The main light will be displayed from the old tower, which is white and of a pyramidal form. It will be fixed white, lighting the entire horizon, elevation 101 feet above the sea, and visible about 16 miles. The beacon light will be a ship's lantern suspended from a stake placed about half a mile in front of the tower. The line connecting the two lights bears S.W. by W. W. and N.E. by E.E. Approximate position of the tower, lat. 33° 52′ 19′′ N., long. 77° 59′ 49" W. Bearings and distances of prominent objects are as follows:-Oak island rear light, N.W. W., 13 mile; Fort Caswell, N.W. by N. 1 mile. After the same date, the Oak Island range beacons, marking the Western bar channel, will be shown as fixed red, instead of fixed white as at present.

28. UNITED STATES. Maryland.- Light on Jane Island, entrance to Little Annamessex River.—On and after December 20, 1879, a fixed white light, lighting 315° of the horizon, will be shown from the screw-pile lighthouse recently erected on the southern end of the shoal extending from Jane island, Chesapeake bay; elevation 40 feet above mean low-water, and visible 11} miles. The light serves as a guide into Little Annamessex river, and replaces the one destroyed by ice in January, 1879. It is about 300 feet west from the old lighthouse. The superstructure is white; roof and foundation, brown. Approximate position, lat. 37° 57' 51" N., long. 75° 55' W. During thick and foggy weather a bell will be struck by machinery every fifteen seconds. 29.-UNITED STATES. New York. -Long Island Sound.Change of Fog-Signal at Execution Rocks.-The fog-signal trumpet has been replaced by a trumpet of the first order, operated by caloric engines, which gives a blast of 7 seconds' duration, at intervals of 43 seconds.

30. UNITED STATES.-Long Island Sound, New York. — Change of Characteristic of Light at Stratford Shoal.-On and after December 15, 1879, the intervals between the flashes of this light will be changed from fifteen seconds to ten seconds.

31.-UNITED STATES.-Rhode Island.-Development of Schuyler Ledge of Sakonnet Point.-Recent survey shows a dangerous ledge with a least depth of 8 feet and a general depth over its surface of 12 feet. It is about 82 yards long in an E. by N. and W. by S. direction, and 33 yards wide. From its centre the west gable of the club-house on West Island bears N. 1 W., distant a little over one-half mile; the north end of Cormorant rock and the cupola of the Ocean house at Newport in range bear N.W. by W.; and the eastern end of the ice-house on West island, in range with a small rocky island, to the northward of it, lying about one-fourth mile from shore, bears N. 1 W. The ledge, which will be named Schuyler ledge, lies in the way of vessels bound, from the vicinity of Newport, into Buzzard's bay. The course from Brenton reef light-ship to Hen and Chickens light-ship, passes one-fourth of a mile to the southward of the ledge, and the course from the red buoy on the end of Brenton reef to Hen and Chickens light-vessel passes one-eighth of a mile to the northward of it. The sea breaks over the ledge in heavy weather.

32. UNITED STATES.

Maine.

Fog-Bell at Owl Head, Penobscot Bay. A fog-bell, to be struck four times a minute, has been placed 50 feet above low water, on the edge of the bluff 100 feet north-east of the Owl Head lighthouse, west side of Penobscot Bay, off Rockland Harbour.

33.-CANADA.-Gut of Canso.-Leading Lights at Havre Bouche. -On 8th October, 1879, two leading lights were exhibited from lighthouses recently erected at Havre Bouche, south side of northern entrance to the gut of Canso. The low light is a fixed white light, elevated 37 feet above high water, and visible from a distance of about 9 miles. The lighthouse, 32 feet high, square, constructed of wood and painted white, is situated on the southwest shore of the harbour. Position, lat. 45° 41′ 0′′ N., long. 61° 31' 15" W. The high light is a fixed red light, elevated 107 feet above high water, and visible from a distance of about 9 miles; bears S. 37° W. from the low light, distant 473 yards. This lighthouse is similar in description to the low lighthouse.

Note. These lights kept in line indicate the dredged channel entering Havre Bouche. l'ariation, 24° W.

HYDROGRAPHIC NOTICES RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, ADMIRALTY, 1879.

No. 24.—MEDITERRANEAN PILOT, Vol. II., Notice 1; information relating to currents on the South Coast of France.

No. 25.-AUSTRALIA DIRECTORY, Vol. I., Notice 6; information relating to portions of the South Coast of Australia, between East Mount Barren and Eucla.

OUR OFFICIAL LOG.

OFFICIAL INQUIRIES AT HOME, 1879.

(This List is completed to the 18th of each Month.)

422. Villa Franca, barque; built at Bath, U.S., 1859; owned by Mr. A. Elford, of London; tonnage, 1,031; Tyne to Carthagena; coals, &c. ; lost near Cromer, coast of Norfolk, October 13, 1879. Inquiry held at Greenwich, October 30, 1879, before Balguy, Stipendiary Magistrate; White and Parfitt, N.A. Second mate to blame for taking inaccurate soundings; his certificate suspended for three months. Master in default for not taking proper steps to get the ship afloat after stranding; his certificate suspended for six months.

423. Ella Mary, schooner; and Electric, s.s.; the former built at Ulverston, in 1871; owned by Mr. W. Postlethwaite, of Holborn Hill, Cumberland; tonnage, 80; Rouen to Liverpool; sand; the latter built at Glasgow, in 1863; owned by the Belfast Steamship Company; tonnage, 571; in collision near Formby lightship, river Mersey, October 17, 1879, whereby loss of life ensued. Inquiry held at Liverpool, October 31, 1879, before Raffles, Stipendiary Magistrate; Harris, Powell, and Wilson, N.A. Court found mate of Electric to blame for not slowing his engines when approaching so closely to another vessel. Certificate suspended for three months.

426. Albion, s.s.; built at Partick in 1865; owned by the London and Edinburgh Shipping Company; tonnage, 143; Gibraltar to West Coast of Africa; ballast; sustained serious damage

through the falling in of the crowns of the furnaces. Inquiry held at Leith, November 3, 1879, before Pentland and Powrie, J.P., Ward, N.A., and Ravenhill, E.A. Accident caused by the water in the boiler being allowed to become too densely saturated with salt. Chief engineer admonished to be more careful in future.

247. Belfast, s.s.; built at Dublin in 1866; owned by James Douglas, of Belfast; tonnage, 31; engaged in towing in Belfast Lough; sustained material damage by the falling in or sagging of her furnaces, September 29, 1879. Inquiry held at Belfast, November 7, 1879, before Clifford-Lloyd, J.P.; Castle and May, N.A. Casualty caused by the ignorance and carelessness of the engine-driver engaged by the owner. Owner directed to pay the costs of the investigation.

OFFICIAL INQUIRIES ABROAD.

425. Tambaroora, s.s.; lost on the coast of Australia, July 22, 1879. Inquiry held at Rockhampton, September 8, 1879. Casualty due to the culpable negligence of master, mate, and second mate, whose certificates were cancelled.

427. Loch Leven Castle, barque; abandoned at sea, August 23, 1879. Naval Court held at Valparaiso, October 6, 1879. Court found that the ship was prematurely abandoned, and suspended master's certificate for six months.

428. Lady Belhaven; lost on Argo Flat, Bay of Bengal, July 3, 1879. Inquiry held at Calcutta, August 16, 1879. Master guilty for continuing his cruise to the northward although unaware of his true position, also for neglecting to use the lead. Certificate suspended for twelve months; recommended for one as mate during that time.

430. Sea Gull, s.s.; lost on a reef, three miles from Island Gafor. Inquiry held at Colombo, September 30, 1879. Casualty due to an error of judgment. Master censured.

431. Castleton, s.s.; stranded on Ricasoli Rocks, November 8, 1879. Inquiry held at Valetta, Malta, November 24, 1879. Accident caused by the heavy sea, and want of foresight on part of master in not reversing his engines. Warned to be more careful in future.