Atlantic Ocean Pilot. The Seaman's guide to the navigation of the Atlantic Ocean, with numerous illustrations, charts and plans ... To which is added, Notes on the Physical Geography of the Atlantic Ocean. By W. H. Rosser

Front matter

■ ■ I ■ ■ I ■ ■ I ■ ■ ■ ■ I ■ ■ I I CURVES OF EQUAL MAGNETIC VARIATION, 1883. ATLANTIC OCEAN PILOT. THE SEAMAN'S GUIDE TO THE NAVIGATION OP THB ATLANTIC OCEAN, •WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS, CHARTS AND PLANS. E_ J. F. IMRAY, F.R.G.S. & H. D. JENKINS, F.R.G.S. TO WHICH IS ADIIEH Notes on the Physical Geography of the Atlantic Ocean. By W. H. ROSSER. LONDON, E. : JAMES IMRAY & SON, CHART PUBLISHERS AND NAUTICAL BOOKSELLERS, 89 & 102, MINORIES, 1884. CSVFF-.-S-ÆBNT TO JAN. NOTE, Tbe Cearlnss and Courses throughout this v/ork are ESaenctie, unless othc-mlso expressed. The Distances are in nautical Miles,— 60 to a Degree of Latitude. The ECautical Kile is about "5C83 English feet, usually reckoned as 6000 = 2000 yards^=1000 fathoms; also the Nautical ETile=lS55 metres- 1*855 Kilometres. A Cable is considered to be one-tenth ofa Nautical tcile, and equal to 1CO Fathoms. The depths are those at low water spring tides.

Preface

. This Work is arranged in four sections, — the first three contain a Description of, and Sailing Directions for, the Ports, Harbours, Islands and Reefs, &c, of the Atlantic Ocean ; the last is devoted to those Physical Phenomena, the study of which is now so inseparably connected with the Science of Navigation. Section I. includes the Islands, and Reefs of the Atlantic Ocean ; to which is added a Catalogue of all Doubtful Dangers, Vigias, and reported Shoals. Section II. embraces the Eastern side of the Atlantic, from the British Islands to the Cape of Good Hope ; it describes the navigation of the English, Irish and Bristol Channels, the Principal Ports, &,.., of the West coasts of France, Spain and Portugal ; also of the whole of the West coast of Africa. Section III. is devoted to the Western shores of the Atlantic Ocean ; it comprises the Principal Ports, &c, of the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia ; of the East coast of the United States of America ; also of the North-east and East coasts of South America, including the Rio de la Plata.

In selecting materials for Sections I. II. and III. — the Sailing Directions — every available Authority (English and French) has been carefully examined. The Direc tories published by the Admiralty Hydrographic Office that have afforded us much valuable information are the following : — The Channel Pilot, West Coasts of France, Spain and Portugal, African Pilot, West India Pilot, South American Pilot, &,.., &c. Much information has also been derived from Sailing Directions published by the Governments of France and of the United States of America. The Hydrographic and Nautical Notices issued from time to time by the British Admiralty and by the American ani French Governments have been extensively made use of. The names of Marine Surveyors and Harbour Masstei'3, in many instances already familiar to the seaman, but too numerous to mention in this p'ace, will be found, as a rule, appended to the information furnished by each.

PREFACE.

. Section IV. — exclusively the Work of Mr. W. H. Rosser — comprises a description of the Winds and Seasons, including every department of Meteorological Science in its relation to Navigation. Next follow the Currents ; these, being powerful agents in the acceleration or retardation of a voyage, are largely dwelt on, and their strength and approximate boundaries in the Atlantic Ocean defined. The Basin of the Atlantic is next considered ; under this heading are included Comparative Soundings, Specific Gravity and Temperature, Tides, Waves, Rollers, &c. ; the region of Ice and Icebergs, the limits of these dangers to Navigation, and the parts of the Atlantic Ocean where they may be expected in the greatest numbers, appropriately find a place here. Then follows a chapter on Hurricanes and C\ clones, and the Law of Storms, and another on the Earthquake region of the Mid-Atlantic, the Work being concluded by Notes on Making Passages, — the important question of How and Where to make a Passage at any given time of the year is here fully discussed, and instruc tions (with instances) given on the subject.

A Supplement precedes the body of the Book, containing all alterations, &c, of importance that have taken place during the time that the Work has been passing through the Press, — thus bringing the whole up to date at the time of publication. No Work of this extensive character can ever be considered perfect; improvements in the arrangement can always be suggested, and new material must always be coming to hand — still it may be hoped that the Atlantic Ocean Pilot, as now issued, though not entirely free from defects, will be useful to the navigator ; and the Publishers will at all times be glad to receive communications that may tend to enhance its value to those for whose special benefit it has been compiled. CONTENTS. [See also Index at end of Book.] o

Section I. Islands And Reefs In The Atlantic

PAGES. Azores ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 — 40 Madeira and Porto Santo ... ... ... ... ... 40 — G8 The Salvages and Pitons ... ... ... ... ... 68 — 70 Canarias, or the Canary Islands ... ... ... ... 70—91 Cape Verde Islands ... ... ... ... ... 92 — 107 Notes on some outlying Banks ... ... ... ... 107 — 109 Banks op Newfoundland, &c. ... ... ... ... 109 — 118 Sable Island ... ... ... ... ... ... 114 — 119 The Bermudas, or Somers' Land ... ... ... ... 119 — 129 Bahama Islands and Banks ... ... ... ... 129 — 139 Caribbee Islands (St. Thomas &c.)... .... ... ... 139 — 148 St. Paul Rocks ... ... ... ... ... ... 148—149 Fernando Noroj-ha and the Rocas ... ... ... ... 150 — 100 Fernando Pq, Princes, St. Thomas and Anno Bom Islands ... 160 — 174 Ascension Island ... ... ... ... ... ... 174 — 184 St. Helena Island ... ... ... ... ... 184 — 194 Trinidad and Martin Vaz ... ... ... .., ... 194 — 196 Abrolhos or Brazil Banks ... ... ... ... 196 — 199 Tristan da Cunha and Gough Islands ... ... ... 199 — 207 The Falkland Islands ... ... ... ... ... 207 — 223 Islands South qf Latitude 53° S. ... ... ... ... 223 — 237 Doubtful Islands, Rocks and Shoals in the North Atlantic ... 238 — 248 Poubtful. Islands, Rocks ano Shoals in the South Atlantic ... 248 — 254

Section II. East Side Of The Atlantic Ocean

River Clyde, Liverpool, &c, by the North Channel... Coast of Ireland .,, • ,„ ... ... ... 255—261 261— VI CONTENTS. PAGES Liverpool, Dublin, &c, by the South Channel ... ... 277 — 286 Bristol Channel... ... ... ... ••• ... 286 — 300 English Channel... ... ... ... ... ... 800 — 332 France — West Coast ... ... ... ... ... 332 — 360 Spain and Portugal— West and S.W. Coasts ... ... 360 — 395 Coast of Africa, from Cape Spartel to the Equator... ... 396 — 534 Coast of Africa, from the Equator to Cape Agulhas ... 534 — 613

Section III. West Side Of The Atlantic Ocean

Principal Ports, &c, on the East Coast of North America ... 614 — 702 Principal Ports, &c, on the North-east Coast of South America... 708 — 733 Principal Ports, &c, on the Eastern Coast of South America ... 734 — 776 Rio de la Plata ... ... ... ... .... ... 777 — 800

Section IV. Notes On The Physical Geography Of The Atlantic Ocean In

ITS APPLICATION TO NAVIGATION. Introductory (The Oceans, Seas, Continents, &c.) ... ... 801 — 808 The Winds and Seasons ... ... ... ... ... 809—817 Table showing the Force and Velocity of the Wind ... 816 Winds of the Atlantic (The Trades and Counter- Trades, &c.)... 817 — 838 Winds and Weather of the North Atlantic Islands and Coasts ... 838 — 875 Winds and Weather of the South Atlantic Islands and Coasts 876 — 894 The Currents of the Ocean ... ... ... ... 894 — 899 Currents of the Atlantic ... ... ... ... 899 — 924 Basin of the Atlantic (Soundings, Tides, Waves, Rollers, Bore, Ice, &c.) ... ... ... ... ... 925—943 Hurricanes or Cyclones, and the Law of Storms ... ... 943 — 903 Earthquakes and Volcanoes ... ... ... ... 963 968 Notes on Making Passages (Including Maury's Routes)! — 968 — LIST OF PLATES.

Carves of Equal Magnetic Variation ... ... ... ... To face Title, Fayal Channel and Horta Bay ... ... ... ... ,, jimje 14 Punta Delgada (Azores) ... ... ... ... ... „ 81 Funohal Bay (Madeira) ... ... ... ... ... ,, 49 Salvage Islands ... ... ... ... ... ... ,, 68 Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Luz (Canary Is.) ... ... ... „ 77 Arrecife and Strait of Rio ... ... ... ... ... ,, 89 Porto Praya (Cape Verdes) ... ... ... ... ... ,, 99 Porto Grande (Cape Verdes)... ... ... ... ... ,, 104 Virgin Rocks and Eastern Shoals ... ... ... ... „ 110 Sable Island ... ... ... ... ... ... ,, 114 Bermuda Islands ... ... .... ... ... ... ,, 122 St. George's (Bermuda) ... ... ... ... ... ,, 126 Nassau (Bahamas)... ... ... ... ... ... „ 131 St. Thomas (Virgin Islands)... ... ... ... ... ,, 144 St. Paul Rocks and Rockall ... ... ... ... ... „ 148 Fernando Noronha and the Rocas ... ... ... ... ,, 161 Ascension Island ... ... ... ... ... ... „ 174 St. Helena Island ... ... ..., ... ... ... ,, 184 Trinidad and Martin Vaz ... ... ... ... ... „ 194 Tristan da Cunha ... ... ... ... ... ... ,, 200 Stanley Harbour (Falkland Islands) ... ... ... ... „ 211 Bay of Harbours (Falkland Islands) ... ... ... ... „ 218 Ensenada de Finisterre ... ... ... ... ... „ 366 Mogador... ... «. ... ... ... ... „ 412 Siena Leone ... ... ... ... ... ... ,, LIST OF PLATES.

Cape Mount River... ... ... ... ... To jace pane 470 River Volta ... ... ... ... ... ... » 500 Table Bay Breakwater and Docks ... ... ••• ... x 598 St. John's (Newfoundland) ... ... ... ... ... ». 626 Louisburg (Cape Breton Island) ... ... ... ... >> 630 Halifax (Nova Scotia) ... ... ... ... ... » 634 New York (U.S.) ... ... ... ... ... ... „ 652 Rio Janeiro (Brazil) ... ... ... ... ... >, 757 No. I. Winds in the Atlantic (Jan., Feb. and March) .... ... „ 819 No. II. Winds in the Atlantic (April, May and June) ... ... ,, 822 No. III. Winds in the Atlantic (July, Aug. and Sept.) ... ... „ 828 No. IV. Winds in the Atlantic (Oct., Nov. and Dec.) ... ... „ 882 No. V. Winds on the Coast of Brazil ... ... ... ... „ 876 No. VI. Currents in the Atlantic Ocean ... ... ... ,, 897 No. VII. Basin of the Atlantic Ocean ... ... ... ... „ 925 No. VIII.

Hurricanes and Storm Waves ... ... ... ,, 945 No. IX. Volcanic District of the Atlantic ... ... ... „ 9G3 No. X. Tracks in the Atlantic Ocean «. ... „ ADDENDA [To JANUARY, 18 8 9.1

Section I. Azores

fay At. isianj. — The shoal south-east of Guia head, reported by the Ville de Bordeaux in 1880, does not exist, and has been expunged from charts. Page 14. Light Intended.— It is proposed to construct a lighthouse on the western extremity of Fayal island, abreast Capellinha rocks. Horta. — A small red light is shown on the end of the mole now in course of con struction on the east side of the bay. In consequence of the advanced state of this breakwater the landing-place is much more sheltered than formerly. About 2,000 tons of coal is usually kept in stock on Fayal island ; it is put on board by lighters, loaded in bulk, none being kept laden so as to be instantly available. Page 15. terceira. — About 1,000 tons of coal is usually kept in stock at Porto Praya, in the island of Terceira. Page 27. saw raiGUEi. — A semaphore station has been established on Arnel point, east side of San Miguel, in lat. 37° 49' 20" N., long. 25° 8' 30" W. Page 33.

Ponta Deigada*. — This port is rapidly rising in importance on account of the shelter afforded by the breakwater now approaching completion. Its use as a eoaling station is increasing largely every year. The city, which now extends 2 miles along the shore, has a population of about 22,000, and is capable of supplying the wants of vessels calling for stores of any description. In November, 1886, the breakwater had advanced to a length of 1,050 yards, into a depth of 12 fathoms, the outer 90 yards being just below the surface at low water. Off its extremity two red buoys are moored, within which vessels should not attempt to pass. There is a wall along the summit of the breakwater which has on its inner side a spacious quay, furnished with coal stores, capacious warehouses for receiving cargoes of vessels undergoing repairs, &c, and powerful cranes.

A considerable portion of this quay will admit vessels drawing 21 feet lying alongside at low water. Supplies are good and plentiful, at moderate prices ; good markets exist for the sale of fresh meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables. Fresh water, of excellent quality, is brought off to the shipping in boats containing 1,200 to 2,000 gallons, and furnished with pumps. Coal can be supplied to steamers at a moderate rate, there being large stores on the inner end of the breakwater, capable of containing about 8,000 tons. Vessels requiring coal should hoist the answering pennant over the flag N. of the International code, in approaching. Steamers calling for coal, provisions, or repairs, are admitted free of all charge. The trade of Ponta Deigada formerly consisted chiefly in the export of oranges and pine-apples to England, but of late years the quantity of fruit exported has greatly * Abridged from a " Report on the Artificial Harbour of Ponta Deigada " by W, E. Kettle, F.R.G.S., 1887.

A fallen off. Its chief export now consists of alcohol, which is sent to Portugal ; next in importance comes beans, maize, oranges, and pine-apples. Lights. — The light-tower on the breakwater is about a quarter of a mile within the submerged extremity ofthe works ; it exhibits a fixed red light at 48 feet above high water, visible 9 miles. Position, lat. 37° 44' N„ long. 25° 40' 30" W. Tides. — It is high water at Ponta Deigada, on full and change, at 12h. 30m. ; springs rise 7 _ feet. Signals. — The Signal Station is situated on the south side of the Castle of San Bias, at the inner end of the harbour. The International Code is nsed here. Pilots. — All vessels entering the harbour must take a pilot, unless driven in by stress of weather or other unavoidable circumstances. Vessels, however, anchoring in the roads are exempt from pilotage.

Page 81. MADEIRA ISLAND. madeira.— Funchal Bay. — A harbour mole was commenced in April, 1886, to connect Loo rock with Pontinha point, thus sheltering Pontinha bay from the southward. Telegraph Cables. — The position of the shore ends of the four telegraph cables laid in Funchal bay (two from Lisbon and two from St. Vincent) is marked by a black beacon near the church of N. Senhora do Socorra, close eastward of fort Santiago. This beacon has two arms extending in the directions N. 50° E., and N. 45° VV., [Magnetic), indicating the angle within which the cables trend from the shore, and where anchorage is prohibited. Coal. — A coal hulk is moored in Funchal bay, with Loo Bock light bearing about N.N.W. About 10,000 tons of Welsh coal is usually kept in stock at Funchal ; it can be put on board by lighters at the rate of 600 tons a day, or 1,000 tons working day and night ; about 400 tons is always instantly available.

Page 49. Porto-da-Cruz. — There is good sheltered anchorage off this port, which is situated on the north-east side ofthe island, when dangerous to remain in Funchal bay in con sequence of westerly winds and heavy sea. In 1885 H.M.S. Achilles anchored in 84 fathoms, with Uheo da Cruz W. | N., San Antonio point S. £ W. ; and Brancas island S.E. f E. The landing place for boats is just westward of the town, where the rocks form a natural cove. Page 60. dacia bank. — This bank lies between the Madeiras and the coast of Africa ; it was originally reported by the telegraph ship Dacia. The French vessel of war Ome, in April 1887, obtained soundings of 38, 12£, and 60 fathoms, sand and muddy gravel on it. The position of 12i fathoms is lat. 31° 15' 5" N., long. 13° 40' 20" W. CANARY ISLANDS. tenerife islands.-.nt_ cruz. — Fort Almeida, the casemate of which is coloured red, with white walls above and below, is conspicuous, as also is a conical shaped building situated about a cable north-west of it.

The battery of Paso Alto, which formerly served as an anchorage mark in Santa Cruz road, is now in ruins. On the site of this battery, we believe, a white pyramid has been orectod to answer the same purpose. Page 78. The quarantine anchorage is to the southward of the harbour mole, as far as the windmill at the south end of the town. Three red buoys are moored in the roadstead for the use of vessels getting under way. A new molo has been commenced on the south side of fort San Miguel. It will extend in a south-easterly direction a distance of 164 yards. ADDENDA. III At the mouth of the Barranco Sanctus is another small mole for coaling purposes ; a black buoy is moored about 1?; cables from the end ofthis mole. Telegraph Cables. — Santa Cruz is in telegraphic communication with Cadiz and St. Louis, also with Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Palma island, and through Cape Verde islands, with Fernando Po, and ports on the Gold coast, and south-west coast of Africa, Gulf of Guinea, &c. The cables, which unite at Gran Canaria with Lanzaroto and Tenerife, are landed respectively on the Santa Catalina and Confital beaches, and thence run underground to Las Palmas.

Coal. — About 7,500 tons is usually kept in stock at Santa Cruz ; coal can be put on board by lighters, with bags or baskets, at the rato of about 600 tons per day. Furea islet. — A light has been proposed for this island, which lies off the north-east extremity of Tenerife. orotava. — This port, situated on the north side of Tenorifo, has a small artificial harbour formed by two moles, the western one of which slightly overlaps the eastern. Landing for boats may be obtained at all seasons inside this harbour. There is a Vice-Consul here as well as a Port Officer. An extensive botanical garden is maintained at Orotava, and a sanatarium for consumptive patients has been recently established. The roadstead is exposed to the prevailing northerly wind. gran canaria.— Fuerto do la Luz. — A harbour light, fixed red, is exhibited from the end of the eastern mole, in course of construction, at Puerto de la Luz ; it is 18 feet above the sea and visible about 6 miles.

It will be shifted outward as the mole is extended (1885). Note. — It is proposed to extend the eastern mole in a S.S.W. direction a distance of 1,500 yards ; an inner mole is also in course of construction, which is to extend about 600 yards in an E.S.E. direction, from the western shore of the port, at about 800 yards northward of Santa Catalina castle. The greatest depth of water within these moles will be 10 fathoms. Page 83, Pilots can be obtained for berthing a vessel at a cost of about thirteen shillings. Coal. — About 4,000 tons is usually kept in stock ; 600 tons can be put on board ia one day, about 300 tons is kept instantly available. La- Palmas.— Harbour works of great extent are in progress at Palmas. When finished, the breakwater, which will be about 10 yards wide, will run out 1364 yards from north to south ; a mole at right angles, about 22 yards wide, will extend 786 yards.

An area of 269 acres will thus be provided with complete shelter on the east, of which 148 acres will form the inner or enclosed harbour, more than half of which will have a depth of from 4 to 8 fathoms at low water (1885). Coal. — About 1,500 tons of coal is usually kept in stock at Las Palmas ; it can be put on board at the rate of about 300 tons per day ; about 500 tons is kept instantly available. Gando Point. — The dangerous shoal, known as Gando rock, lies .i cables E. by N, i N. from Gando point, on the east side of Gran Canaria, about 11 miles southward of Las Palmas ; it is only awash at low water and at other times the sea does not always break on it. As several vessels have been lost on this rock, it is advisable to give it a wide berth. Page 85. Maspaiomas point. — A. fixed white light is, or will shortly be, established on Mas palomas point, on the southern coast of Gran Canaria; it is 190 feet above the sea and visible 22 miles.

Position of lighthouse, lat. 27° 43' 45" N., long. 15° 33' 45" W. Page 82. fuerteventttra. — A shoal, with a depth of 18 fathoms, has been reported, bearing W. by S. | S., distant 8 miles, from Jandia point light-house. Page 86, lanzarote— port Naos. — Fort San Josef, a massive circular fort on the mainland opposite the northern end of Cruces island, is a prominent object and useful as a land mark. A* Supplies.— There is a coal store on Graces island, owned by a French company. The North-west Africa Company also has a store of about 200 tons. Water is sometimes very scarce and other supplies are not plentiful. Page 87. CAPE VERDE ISLANDS. BOAVISTA.-Engush Road.— A fixed white light is (or will shortly be) exhibited from a red lighthouse on Small island, in the northern side of English road, west side of the island ; it is 91 feet above the sea and visible 8 miles.

Position, lat. 16° 9' 15" N., long. 22° 57' 15" W. Page 95. sal ISLAND.-Mordeira Bay. — Shoal ground has been reported to extend off Turtle point, sonth side of Mordeira bay. This shoal ground, on which the French frigate Resolue slightly touched, is composed of coral, and extends more than one mile in a westerly direction from Turtle point, with depths of 3J to 5 fathoms over it. Note. — Vessels entering Mordeira bay from southward should give Turtle point a berth of 2 miles. Page 96. south Bay. — The following information has been reported by the Master of the barque Philippine (1881) : — The only loading places at the island of Sal are South bay, at the southern extremity of the island, and Feristone bay on its eastern side ; there is now no business done at Mordeira bay, on the western side of the island.

South bay, the principal loading place, is also known as Port Maria ; from this place 20,000 tons of salt are annually shipped. The anchorage here is sheltered from W.N.W. round northward to E.S.E., in depths of 6 to 8 fathoms, sandy bottom. As stated in the text the only village on the island is situated in South bay. There is no British Consul here but there is a representative for the French, German, American, Norwegian and Brazilian flags. Page 97. mayo island.— English Road. — A fixed red harbour light is exhibited from a lighthouse on fort San Jose, English road, south-west coast of Mayo island. Latitude 15° 7' 30" N., long. 23° 13' 30" W. Page 97. Santiago island.— Porto Praya. — The red mooring buoy in the centre of the harbour has been removed. A well-built wooden pier, about 100 yards in length, has been constructed to the south-west of the town, in front of the new Custom house.

It has a depth of 2J fathoms alongside its outer end, on which is a fixed red light, visible from a distance of about two miles. The stone mole is now in a dilapidated condition, and the light at its outer end is discontinued ; there is not sufficient water for boats to go alongside the steps at low water. A small wooden pier has been built out from the shore abreast the northern end of Quail island. Two pontoons are moored about one cable north-eastward of the north point of Quail island ; the slaughter-house, painted red, situated on the beach, three-quarters of a mile northward of Punta Temerosa light, is conspicuous when entering the bay. The old Custom house is now the office of the harbour authorities. There is a signal station near the lighthouse on Punta Temerosa, and a lazaretto has been established near the same point.

The lights at Quail island have been discontinued, but the iron tripod near the south end of this island, on which the light was formerly exhibited, is still a good day mark. Coul can always be obtained from Quail island : about 1,500 tons is usually kept in stock ; it can be put on board at the rate of 200 tons per day. Porto Praya is recommended as a stopping place for coal and supplies, particularly during the healthy season. Page 99. Porto do Lobo. — A fixed red light, 83 feet above the sea, is established at Porto do Lobo, east coast of Santiago island ; it is shown from a small square building, painted white, and is visible 7 miles. Position, lat. 14° 59' 25" N., long. 28° 25' 40" W. Page 98. ADDENDA. V ST. vincent island. -Porto arande. — Coal stores and a building slip are in an advanced state of construction, and a lazaretto, capable of accommodating about 50 people, with landing pier, is situated on the rising ground on the south-west side of the bay.

Coal. — About 12,000 tons of Welsh coal is usually kept in stock ; it can be put on board at the rate of 900 tons per day ; 1,000 tons are always ready in lighters. The coal hulk formerly moored near Orontes bank has been removed. Telegraph. — St. Vincent is in telegraphic communication with Madeira and Pernambuco, also with West African ports, via Porto Praya, and with Bathurst, river Gambia. The buoys marking the telegraph cables are now coloured vAhite and black in vertical stripes. The paint is luminous, but too much confidence should not be placed upon its consequent visibility. Page 104. Bird island Light. — A fixed white light is exhibited on Bird island, at the entrance of Porto Grande ; it is 806 feet above high water and visible 14 miles, — from the northward between the bearings of S. 32° W. and N. 81° W., and from the southward between N. 75° E. and S. 71° E. (bearings magnetic and from seaward).

The tower is circular, 40 feet high, and constructed of iron ; its geographical position is lat. 16° 54' 36" N., long. 25° 1' 12" W. A semaphore station has been established near the lighthouse on Bird island. Passing vessels should communicate by the Commercial Code of Signals. Page 105. san antonio island.— Punta do Sol. — A fixed red light, visible about 3 miles, is established on Punta do Sol (or North point), San Antonio island ; it is intended to serve as a guide to the anchorage. Its approximate position is lat. 17° 12' 35" N., long. 25° 6' W. Page 106. Bun Point. — A lighthouse, constructed of rough stone, octagonal in shape, and painted white, stands on Bull point (Lombo do Boi), near Bull rock, east coast of San Antonio island. From it, at 532 feet above the sea, is exhibited a fixed and flashing white light.

The flashes, which appear every minute, are visible 27 miles, and the fixed light about 16 miles. Position (approximate), lat. 17° 6' 50" N., long. 24° 59' 15" W. Page 107. SABLE ISLAND. west lighthouse. — The lighthouse on the west end of Sable island, in conse quence of the sea encroaching on it, has been shifted 1£ miles S.E. by E. *? E. from its former position, its new position being lat. 43° 56' 20" N., long. 60° 6' 0" W. The light is unchanged in character. Note. — Mariners are cautioned that there will probably be increased danger in navigating in the vicinity of the west end of Sable island, in consequence of the sub mergence of part of the West bar, and the necessitated removal of the lighthouse eastward. Page 115. BERMUDA ISLANDS. Ireland island.— Time-ban. — According to recent determinations, the Green wich mean time, corresponding with the drop of the Time-ball, at local mean noon, at H.M. Dockyard at Ireland island, is 4h. 19m. 18- 3s. Page 123.

THE BAHAMAS. san Salvador or watling island. — A lighthouse, 50 feet high, and con structed of coral stone, has been placed on the summit (Dixon hill) of San Salvador or VI Watling island. It exhibits a double-flashing white light, every half-minute, showing two flashes of _\ seconds duration each, with an interval of 4£ seconds between the flashes ; it is 165 feet above the sea and visible about 19 miles. Position, lat. 24° 6' 15" N., long. 74° 26' W. Note. — From the lighthouse the outer edge of the reef bears N.N.W., distant 5 miles. Mariners are cautioned against approaching the reefs surrounding Watling island too closely. Page 137. THE ROCAS. the rocas. — Pending the completion of the lighthouse now being erected on the Rocas, a provisional light is exhibited. It is a fixed white light, visible 9 miles.