Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 665

1850.

Journal of Occurrences.

623

ing the river; and every vessel wrecked hitherto, with one exception, has been on this spit. I would therefore recommend that a Light vessel should be placed in the bight, between this spit and the main bank, where, with good heavy ground tackle, she would ride out any weather. A vessel of one hundred and twenty tons strongly built, on the principle of the Light vessels at the Sand- heads of the Hoogly, would be large enough. She should be fitted with a light, to be distinguishable from a ship's light or those that the fishermen often show; and visible at least seven miles distant. She should be supplied with two good coir cables, as well as with chains, in order to enable her to ride to the high sea that sometimes occurs; and she should also be provided with a life boat, and a European should continually be on board, sufficiently acquaint- ed with the river, and with the indications of the weather, to warn vessels by signal or otherwise, of approaching danger.

In addition to the light, 4 would place a buoy off the N.W. end of the spit, and another off the South end, which, I think, are all that would be necessary in any ordinary weather: but in standing in from sea, I am decidedly of opi- nion that a stranger should not attempt to run in, unless certain of getting with- in the bar, if there are indications of bad weather; but rather, he should seek anchorage among the islands, or else put to sea for the night; the former would be preferable in heavy weather, for unless a good sailer, a vessel would not fetch up again in the N. E. monsoon. The tides are so strong, and at times so uncertain in direction, that the best acquainted persons can not hope to keep a correct reckoning at night; and it would prove very rough riding, should a ship attempt to anchor between Gutzlaff I. and the North Sands in a gale.

I think it quite useless attempting to erect a beacon on the Sand, with the means that would be available here; as the tide runs with great velocity, and I am not aware that any part of the patch has less than nine feet water on it. The flood often comes in with a heavy bore or roller, when a southerly wind is blowing; and I do not think that a sufficient foundation could be formed to justify the expectation of a beacon standing the combined action of the wind and tide.

No doubt a beacon might be placed on the North Sand itself, where it dries, in many ways; for instance, by sinking a foundation in iron tanks; but it would be at a greater distance from the channel;-it would cost more to keep a light on it, and altogether it would be less useful than a floating light.

A YOUNG Salt.

A visit to Lerchew was made Oct. 3d, in H. B. M. screw sloop Reynard, Capt. Cracroft, by the Bishop of Victoria, in order to ascertain the position and prospects of Dr. Bettelheim, and for the captain to intimate to the au- thorities of the island that the British Government regarded him as a British subject, "and would be displeased at any attempt to expel him from the island by a system of persecution or annoyance." Several interviews were held between the native officials and Capt. Cracroft, and each party gave an entertainment. The Reynard is the first steamer which has visited countries under Japanese rule, and an account of her and her visit has probably ere this reached Yedo. It is to be hoped that the personal situation of Dr Bet- telheim will be improved by this movement on the part of the British authori- ties, and his family allowed to supply themselves with the necessaries of life. It is remarked by the China Mail as a singular circumstance that the Japanese authorities at Lewchew have coöperated with the Chinese government in reference to Dr. B., so as to induce Gov. Si, the imperial commissioner, to urge H. M.'s Plenipotentiary to remove him (Dr. B.) from Napa by force.

The death of the Rev. C. Fast, a missionary of the Swedish Missionary Society at Upsal is mentioned in letters received from Fuhchau, and the circumstances attending it detailed. We understand that the authorities at Fuhchau have taken energetic measures to apprehend the miscreants, and have sent the police to the village near Kinpai pass to arrest the guilty par- tics. By means of the servant mentioned in the notice below, who identified