5. Instead of the light prescribed by Article 11 of the said Regulations, a bright White Light similar to the lights mentioned in Rule 4 shall be shown continuously from the stern rail of every vessel, while under way and in motion, in all weathers, between sunset and sunrise.

6. A vessel anchored to mark the position of a wreck or other obstruction, shall carry, in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise, two bright White Lights, similar to those mentioned in Rule 4, which lights shall be placed horizontally on a cross yard on the foremast, at a height not exceeding twenty feet above the hull and twenty feet apart. And the said vessel shall carry, in all weathers, between sunrise and sunset, two black balls placed as herein before ordered with regard to the lights aforementioned.

Thames Rule for regulating the Traffic above the Nore.

"If a sailing vessel and a steam vessel are proceeding in such a direction as to involve risk of collision, the steam vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel: provided, however, that if, owing to causes beyond the control of those navigating the steam vessel, it is unsafe or impracticable for the steam vessel to keep out of the way of the sailing vessel, the steam vessel shall signify the same to the sailing vessel by four or more blasts of the steam whistle of about two seconds duration in rapid succession: and the sailing vessel shall then keep out of the way of the steam vessel."

United States.

Extracts from the Rules and Regulations for Inland Waters.

Rule 1. When steamers are approaching each other, the signal for passing shall be one sound of the steam whistle to keep to the right, and two sounds of the steam whistle to keep to the left.

These signals are to be made first by the ascending steamer. If the dangers of navigation, darkness of the night, narrowness of the channel, or any other cause, render it necessary for the descending boat to take the other side, she can do so by making the necessary signals, and the ascending steamer must govern herself accordingly. These signals are to be observed by all steamers, either day or night.

Rule 2. Should steamers be likely to pass near each other, and these signals should not be made and answered by the time such boats shall have arrived at the distance of eight hundred yards from each other, the engines of both boats shall be stopped: or should the signal be given and not properly understood, from any cause whatever, both boats shall be backed until their headway shall be fully checked, and the engines shall not be again started ahead until the proper signals are made, answered, and understood.

Rule 3. When two boats are about to enter a narrow channel at the same time, the ascending boat shall be stopped below such channel until the descending boat shall have passed through it; but should two boats unavoidably meet in such a channel, then it shall be the duty of the pilot of the ascending boat to make the proper signals, and when answered by the descending boat, to lie as close as possible to the side of the channel the exchange of signals may have determined, as allowed by Rule 1, and either stop the engines or move them so as only to give the boat steerage way, and the pilot of the descending boat shall cause his boat to be worked slowly until he has passed the ascending boat.

Rule 4. When a steamer is ascending and running close on a bar or shore, the pilot shall in no case attempt to cross the river when a descending boat shall be so near that it would be possible for a collision to ensue therefrom.

Rule 8. When steamers are running in the same direction, and the pilot of the boat astern shall desire to pass on either side of the boat ahead, he shall give the signal as in Rule 1, and the pilot of the boat ahead shall answer by the same signal, and allow the other to pass on the side selected, and shall in no case attempt to cross her bow or crowd upon her course.

Rule 10. Doubts or fears of misunderstanding signals may be expressed by several short sounds of the whistle in quick succession.

Steering Rules in French Merchant Service.

The Board of Trade have drawn attention to a Decree issued by the President of the French Republic, assimilating the rules for the Steering of Merchant Vessels to those observed on board French Ships of War.

In accordance with this Decree the orders to "Starboard " or "Port," as well as the signs and signals used to confirm or repeat such orders, will indicate not that the helm is to be put over to "Starboard" or "Port," but that the ship's head may go to "Starboard " or "Port."

This change in the French regulations should be borne in mind, with a view to avoid collisions, on occasions when French pilots are employed on board British Ships.

Official Notice-Merchant Shipping Act, 1873.

Collisions.

The Board of Trade give notice, that on and after the 1st of November, 1873, the following Sections (16 and 17) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1873, come into operation.

16. "In every case of collision between two vessels, it shall be the duty of the Master or person in charge of each vessel, if and so far as he can do without danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to stay by the other vessel until he has ascertained that she has no need of further assistance, and to render to the other vessel, her Master, crew, and passengers (if any), such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from any danger caused by the collision; and also to give to the Master or person in charge of the other vessel the name of his own vessel, and of her port of registry, and of the port or place to which she belongs, and also the names of the ports and places from which, and to which she is bound.

"If he fails so to do, and no reasonable cause for such failure is shown, the collision shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to have been caused by his wrongful act, neglect, or default.

"Every Master or person in charge of a British vessel who fails without reasonable cause to render such assistance, or give such information as aforesaid, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour; and if he is a certificated officer, an inquiry into his conduct may be held, and his certificate may be cancelled or suspended.

17. "If in any case of collision it is proved to the Court before which the case is tried that any of the regulations for preventing collisions contained in or made under the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1854 to 1873, have been infringed, the ship by which such regulation has been infringed shall be deemed to be in fault; unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Court that the circumstances of the case made departure from the regulations necessary." THOMAS GRAY, one of the Assistant Secretaries.

Marine Department, Board of Trade, September, 1873.