THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SHIPBUILDING.-Johnstone, 26, Paternoster Row, and 15, Princess Street, Edinburgh.

This subject is one that is open to such lengthened argument, that it is a difficult task to venture an opinion. All reflecting minds, however, will give due consideration to remarks offered, with the view of promoting the furtherance of this important branch of science. The repute which Mr. White has earned for himself in the science of shipbuilding, will entitle his work to the consideration of all who may be interested in this truly national subject, and those who have given it any reflection, or made it a study, will be pleased to see the rules Mr. White has laid down, and gladly give his book, which is accompanied with large diagrams, illustrative of his designs, a welcome.

There are two suggestions (in chapter 3), to which we would call the reader's attention, and which, if found praticable, will much simplify this truly noble art:-the first is, the "sailing vessels on an even keel," and the second and most important, is the “building all vessels designed for the same service on the same draught."

A deviation from the first of these principles, Mr. White considers " an absurdity that can plead nothing in its favour but custom," and an adherence to the second he believes to have been already so fully justified in practice, as to plead for its further, if not its universal adoption.

With these remarks, then, we have much pleasure in introducing this important work to the public, and in strongly recommending it to the notice of all shipowners and builders.

We have received a very spirited and highly finished tinted engraving of H.M.S. Maander, from the pencil of Mr. Dutton. It reflects much credit on the talented artist, and is worthy a place in the portfolio of every lover of the Fine Arts.

NOVEL LIFE PRESERVER.

We have, of late years, seen many belts and apparatus, professing to be lifepreservers, but certainly, none that will bear a comparison with AYCKвOURU'S FLOAT, which has recently been introduced to public notice; recommended by the most flattering testimonials of naval officers, pilots, yachtsmen, and swimmers, the best judges of the merits of such an article.

The points in which it differs from, and excels all rivals, are almost innumerable; amongst them we jobserve that, it is no bigger than a handkerchief, can be worn under, or in a coat, jacket, guernsey, or cloak, and, is, consequently, quite invisible, and not the slightest hindrance to those having work to perform; it weighs only six ounces, cannot burst, and is prepared in a moment. It likewise forms, if required, a capital life-buoy, and is the best possible instructor for those learning to swim. As an additional recommendation to preference, its price is a dozen shillings only; the inventor resolving to place it within the reach of all classes.

We quite agree with him in the remark that, the lives of ladies travelling and yachting, are equally worthy of preservation, as their more robust companions, but it must be allowed, that in the moment of danger, the former labour under the greatest disadvantages, unless, indeed, they have wisely provided themselves, beforehand, with a FLOAT, which we cannot too strongly recommend them to do.

PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.

FLAG OFFICERS.-The following promotions have taken place, consequent upon the death of Rear Admiral Pringle Stoddart:-Rear Admiral of the Blue Cuthbert Featherstone Daly, C.B., to be Rear Admiral of the White.-Capt. Hon. George Alfred Crofton (1812), to be Rear Admiral of the Blue, vice Daly.

The following promotion has taken place, consequent upon the death of Rear Admiral the Hon. J. W. King:-V. F. Hatton, to be Admiral of the Blue.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS.

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER.

Kept at Croom's Hill, Greenwich, by Mr. W. Rogerson, of the Royal Observatory From the 21st of January, 1848, to the 20th of February 1848.

January, 1848.-Mean height of Barometer 29 925 Inches; Mean Temperature=34·4

THE

NAUTICAL MAGAZINE

AND

Nabal Chronicle.

APRIL 1848.

REMARKS ON THE WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA,
By Commander P. H. Dyke, R.N.

Little Fish Bay.-Is a large and spacious bay, four or five miles broad at the entrance; the best anchorage (so I was informed by the officers of the Portuguese schooner-of-war Conselho) is in a small cove or bay close to the S. W. of the town, where I anchored in 44 fathoms. There is a long dangerous spit running out to the westward, and when the rollers set in they are extremely heavy, and ought to be kept at a considerable distance. The watering-place, as well as the water, is but indifferent, at nearly 2 miles distance; so, under any circumstances, I do not consider it a desirable place for a cruizer to go. I arrived there on the evening of the 20th of May, and on the following morning sent a boat sounding round the harbour. The water is very deep all across the entrance, close to both points, as well as from the town to Cape Guspa (north entrance of the bay) there being no bottom with the hand lead; but along the southern shore, "the head of the bay," the water is very shoal, and irregular soundings. It was my intention to have ascer tained the correct longitude; but, in consequence of the governor of the place, on the morning after my arrival, having represented to me that a revolt had taken place against the constituted authorities, at the same time claiming my assistance, I, agreeably to his request, received on board all the persons concerned in the revolt, and proceeded to St. Paul's de Loanda with them immediately.

The longitude of Capes St. Mary and St. Martha, are both laid down a degree out, which, I suppose, is merely a mistake in the print; NO. 4.-VOL. XVII.

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neither of which places have I been able to take the correct longitude of, but by that given in the book of directions, it would place them 63 or 64 miles inland.

Elephant Bay." Friars Rocks," in lat. 13° 14' S. and long. 12° 33' E., is by far the best and finest bay all along the coast, with capital anchorage. I always anchored in 7 fathoms, about 3 cables' lengths from the high land, close up in the corner. The water is perfectly smooth, and the wind always blows off the high land; I took the opportunity of careening the vessel, and putting some sheets of copper on the bottom well under water. The only drawback to the place is the want of water, not a drop of which can be got even by the settlers for their own consumption, they are obliged to send to Camena Bay for it, a distance of six miles.

Fish of all sorts are in great abundance, I frequently caught with one haul of the seine more than sufficient for the whole of the crew. During the time I was there, I established a regular signal post on the hill, from which I could see at least 45 miles on a clear day; and should recommend others to adopt a similar plan, should they be going to remain any time there. In the neighbourhood of Elephant Bay the land is very mountainous, with flat table land; at the southern entrance of the bay there are four rocks, called the "Friars' Rocks," with deep water close to them. In coming from the northward, the land, about six or seven miles from the bay, appears quite white, like chalk, and may be seen for a considerable distance. There is not the slightest danger in approaching the land anywhere along the coast in that neighbourhood, as there is deep water close to the land all along.

There is a rise and fall all along the south coast, of about five feet. The westerly winds generally prevail. The current, from what I have observed, never sets to the southward, occasionally to the eastward, but principally to the N.N.W. I was set one evening, when between Capes St. Mary and Martha, at the rate of 14 miles an hour to the eastward.

Camena Bay. In lat. 13° 12′ S. and long 12° 39' E. is a large bay, about six miles to the north of Elephant Bay; but ships going to anchor there should be extremely cautious in not having too much way on the vessel, as you do not get soundings until close in, and then from 15 fathoms rapidly to 3 fathoms, at about half-a-mile distant from the beach.

The first time I went there I got far too close in, and was obliged to warp further out, so ever since then I have invariably sent a boat in and anchored her in 8 fathoms, so brought the vessel to anchor close to the boat; but on one occasion, even then, although I dropped my anchor close to the boat, and only veered to 20 fathoms, I had only 4 fathoms under the stern.

I found nearly in the centre of the bay, close down to the beach, merely the bed of a large river, but by digging holes in the gravel the water flowed in rapidly; I dug three each time, about six or seven feet long and three deep, and, although I kept filling casks and breakers during the whole day, the water did not appear to diminish in the least,