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Tarifa Light.-With reference to Notice to Mariners No. 69, dated 9th September, 1869, respecting an intended alteration in Tarifa light :

Information has been received that the alteration described in that Notice has been made, and the colour of the light has been changed from white to red.

No. 72.-Leading Lights, River Humber.-With reference to Notice to Mariners No. 49, of 30th April, 1870, respecting the establishment of four leading lights on the northern, or Yorkshire, shore of the river Humber, to facilitate the navigation between Paull and Kingston-uponHull:

The Trinity House, Hull, has given notice that, from the 25th day of July, 1870, the four lights will be exhibited, viz. :—

Two white lights at Thorngumbald Clough, about half a mile to the southward of Paull lighthouse, on the line of the leading mark on the Admiralty Chart.

Two white lights at Salt End, northward of Paull lighthouse, near Hedon haven, also on the line of the leading mark on the Admiralty Chart.

At about half a mile above No. 8, black buoy, a light from the high lighthouse will be visible.

For vessels bound up the river, the present Killingholme lights serve as leading lights to the point where the new lights at Thorngumbald Clough will become leading lights, and the latter will serve as such until the two lights at Salt End are in one, when the last mentioned will guide a vessel up to the lower part of Hull road.

Also, that from the same date the light at Paull will be discontinued. Also, that from the 31st day of August the Hebbles floating light will be discontinued and the vessel removed.

No. 75.-GERMANY-NORTH COAST.-Discontinuance of Lights and Sea Marks.-Notice, dated the 17th July, has been received from the North German Ambassador, that orders have been given to remove the sea marks, withdraw the light-vessels, and extinguish the fixed lights along the North coast of Germany.

Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, London, 18th July, 1870.

RED SEA-Notice No. 3.

The following general directions for the navigation of the Red Sea are from remarks by Navigating Lieutenant John C. Richards, of H.M. Indian troop ship Malabar :

The track usually adopted by H.M. troop ships and other large steamers after leaving Suez, is to keep the western shore on board as clearest, passing Zafarana light from 3 to 5 miles distant, and checking that distance by bearings, as estimated distances in the Red Sea are most deceptive. From Zafarana light they steer to pass Ras Gharib at 4 or 5 miles distant, still keeping to the western shore; passing west of the 3-fathom patch between Ras Shukhair and Tur, the high land of Zetti is made on the bow, and a course shaped for Ashrafi light. The position of Mount Akrab in this vicinity may be safely depended on as it can generally be seen at night.

There is no difficulty for steamers in the Strait of Jubal by night or day, if the distance of Ashrafi light be well determined by change of bearing. This precaution in taking each fresh departure is absolutely necessary, as between determining the distance by bearing, and judging the same by the eye, an error of three miles in ten has been found by different observers.

Entering the Strait of Jubal from the southward pass Shadwan island close (one or 1 miles), and then steer a course to pass about three miles from the outlying reefs of Aboo Nahas and the Horse-shoe, until Ashrafi light be seen. Shadwin island has been seen when 35 miles distant.

On the centre of the northern and larger Brother is a high pole with cage top, all may be approached safely.

There is some doubt about the latitude of these Brothers; Navigating Lieutenant Richards has not had the opportunity to determine whether they are 2 or 3 miles out, but he considers the islands are placed too far north on the chart.

The Dædalus reef, with its capital light, may be passed on either side, and a course then shaped for 4 miles west of Jibbel Teer. St. John's island looks in the distance like a haycock. The south-west Zebayer island is passed on the same side, and at the same distance as Jibbel Teer; thence pass inside Jibbel Zooger, going between it and Aboo Eyle, keeping on the Jibbel Zooger side, as a reef lies off the north-west side of the western Aboo Eyle. Shape the course now to pass Mocha about 6 or 7 miles distant, and thence to Perim.

The danger marked in the small straits of Bab-el-Mandeb is doubted, the Malabar having passed close over the spot five times without discovering it. It is of importance to know this, as the island side in this channel is the safest, the Oyster rock with its outlying reef not being easily seen at night.

In this route many additional lights are wanting. A better one is required at Suez, and especially one at Ras Gharib. A light would be useful on Shadwan, and also on the Brothers, which latter are low and not seen more than a couple of miles off at night. On Jibbel Teer one might be well placed on low land on the west side; also on Aboo Eyle, where it might be built on the reef running off the north-west side of the western rock. And lastly, a light-vessel moored outside the shoal patches reaching 4 miles off Mocha would be of great assistance in rounding those shoals at night.

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Currents.-As a general rule the currents are not strong. With a strong S.S.E. wind, for about 3 days in December, when between Jibbel Teer and Jibbel Zooger, it ran with the wind at the rate of 14 miles per hour, but in ordinary weather, such as is generally experienced, the velocity does not usually exceed half a mile an hour. On two occasions in the vicinity of the Brothers (near Shadwan), a westerly set of half a mile an hour, lasted about 12 hours. The greatest set noticed in the Gulf of Suez was half a mile an hour to the eastward.

STRAIT OF JUBAL.

Observations on the tides and currents in the Strait of Jubal made by Captain Henry D. Grant, R.N., while conducting the operations for the recovery of the treasure from the wreck of the P. and O. steamship Carnatic, in December, 1869.

The rise and fall of the tides on all the banks between Jubal and

Shadwan islands are much affected by the direction and force of the wind; ranging from 4 to 6 feet at full and change.

The direction of the tides (the ebb running to the N.W. and the flood to the S.E.), as shown on the chart of the Strait of Jubal, is correct, but within the distance of 2 miles from the reefs and Shadwan island they are uncertain, setting in towards the reefs and circling round them.

The reef on which the Carnatic was lost is known as the Aboo Nahas, that to the northward as the Horse-shoe.

For the space of nearly a month a steady N.W. current was found passing southward of Aboo Nahas, and setting westward and northward of the Seaul islands. Captain Alli Suggery of H.H. the Khedive's steamship Tor, states that it sets out again north and south of Jubal island.

The strength of this current depends on the age of the moon; at change it runs about 2 miles an hour. On three occasions, when at anchor for a week or ten days off Aboo Nahas, the vessel was riding with her head E.S.E. and a strong N.W. wind blowing the whole time. Strong under currents were found on the north side of the reef.

The Ashrafi being a first class light, can be seen clearly when to the southward of all the reefs, with attention to its bearing, and Shadwan island always in sight, no vessel ought to be endangered. Vessels should pass the Ashrafi light at a distance of 1 to 2 miles, and then a course should be shaped to give the Horse-shoe and Aboo Nahas reefs a berth of 3 to 4 miles.

WINDS AND WEATHER.-The following has been collected from various sources, including a communication from Colonel Edward Stanton, C.B., H.M. Consul General Alexandria, January, 1870 :—

Hurricanes are almost unknown in the Red Sea, but fresh gales and close-reefed topsail breezes are of constant occurrence.

Between Suez and Jiddah northerly winds prevail all the year round. From December to March inclusive, these winds blow fiercely, moderating at full and change, with an occasional southerly breeze foretold by damp weather. During these months westerly gales occur in the Gulf of Suez and as far south as the Daedalus reef, accompanied at times by dense fogs of dust; violent north-east winds on the Arabian coast near Jiddah are also found.

In July, August, and September, land breezes are occasionally found on the Arabian coast.

Between the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and the parallel of 17° N., southerly winds are experienced in the middle of the sea from October to May, prevailing from November to March, blowing strong from the south-east in January. About December these winds bring hazy weather with squalls and rain. After February they blow with less strength, and are frequently followed by northerly winds for several days.

In March, April, and May, the weather is unsettled, with easterly squalls and sometimes rain.

The north-west winds commence in June, seldom blowing strong, and becoming light and variable in August and September, with southerly winds, long calms, and hazy weather in the latter month.

On the coasts of this region, land and sea breezes are met with, but northerly winds prevail all the year round.

Rain falls between October and March.

Squalls off the land with hazy weather prevail between April and June, while in July, August, and September the winds are usually light and variable, with frequent long calms.

THE BROTHERS ISLANDS, RED SEA.

The following Notice has appeared relating to the position of these islands:

Reliable information has been published by the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, that the position in latitude hitherto assigned to the islands known as The Brothers in the chart of the Red Sea is about four miles in error.

The latitude of the northern island is approximately in 26° 17.5' N., instead of 26° 22' N.

THE SONG OF THE MEDITERRANEAN TO THE RED SEA.

"His Dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth."-PSALM 1xxii.

Joy attend our union, heaven distinguished sea!
Shining evermore in light of holiest history,

May we be henceforward in such hallow'd purpose blended

As to prophesy together that the nations' feuds are ended.

O'er the sandy desert we have join'd our hands,

Glory to the Eternal such event demands,

We have join'd our waters with a glorious voice,

Let the nations utter through their breadths, Rejoice.*
Apostolic precept in that word awoke,

And that word repeated shall the world invoke ;
While the earth remaineth and from sea to sea,
Every voice should utter BLESSED AMITY.

See the glad barks crowding our just wedded waters!
Hear the joyous music from those fair sea-daughters!
'Tis our nuptial anthem, glory-vestur'd sea!

God the king eternal will'd it they should be:

Shall not all earth's deserts "blossom as the rose,"

When our noble union aids the world's repose?

prove,

Through the wastes, once dreary, now the "voice of wayes"
Chants a hymn awaking hope in Afric's caves.
Hope amidst the hopeless, that the slave shall be
By the Christian nations made for ever free?
This the noblest triumph of the age shall
Even the mighty union of our Seas above:
What are Science-triumphs to the victory
Of the long oppress'd ones o'er base tyranny?
God with all His angels gazing on the earth
Thus shall bless and hallow this our era's birth.
Thus shall grace the nuptials of the ancient seas,
Through long ages sever'd by His wise decrees:
Now the Eternal Ruler of the earth and ocean,
Shall HIMSELF take part, in all the grand emotion
Which His Creature waketh in his fellow's breast
When from such a union man becomes more blest.

S. E. MILES. From "Reminiscences of the Mediterranean and other Poems." "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice."-PHIL. iv. 4.

REVIEW OF NAUTICAL TOPICS.

WE read a few days ago that peace no longer prevails in Europe, for France has declared war on Prussia. Her Majesty's proclamation declares England's neutrality as follows:

"Whereas we are happily at peace with all Sovereigns, Powers, and States. And whereas, notwithstanding our utmost exertions to preserve peace between all Sovereign Powers and States, a state of war unhappily exists between his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French and his Majesty the King of Prussia, and between their respective subjects and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions. And whereas we are on terms of friendship and amicable intercourse with each of these sovereigns, and with their several subjects, and others inhabiting within their countries, territories, or dominions. And whereas great numbers of our loyal subjects reside and carry on commerce, and possess property and establishments, and enjoy various rights and privileges, within the dominions of each of the aforesaid sovereigns, protected by the faith of treaties between us and each of the aforesaid sovereigns.

"And whereas we being desirous of preserving to our subjects the blessings of peace, which they now enjoy, are firmly purposed and determined to abstain altogether from taking any part, directly or indirectly in the war now unhappily existing between the said sovereigns, their subjects and territories, and to remain at peace with and to maintain a peaceful and friendly intercourse with each of them and their respective subjects, and others inhabiting within any of their respective countries, territories, and dominions, and to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality in the said state of war, unhappily existing between them.

"We, therefore, have thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to issue this our Royal Proclamation. And we do hereby strictly charge and command all our loving subjects to govern themselves accordingly, and to observe a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid war, and to abstain from violating or contravening either the laws and statutes of the realm in this behalf, or the law of nations in relation thereto, as they will answer to the contrary at their peril."

Earl Granville has addressed the following letter to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Similar letters have been addressed to the Treasury, Home Office, Colonial Office, War Office, and India Office.

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Foreign Office, July 19th, 1870. "My Lords,-Her Majesty being fully determined to observe the duties of neutrality during the existing state of war between the Emperor of the French and the King of Prussia, and being moreover resolved to prevent, as far as possible, the use of her Majesty's harbours, ports, and coasts, and the waters within her Majesty's

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