Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

It was also observed, that during the period that this timber lay in Woolwich dock-yard, exposed to the weather, neither the heart nor the sap-wood exhibited decomposition, nor did lichen or fungus grow

thereon.

I have already observed, that the description of Larch generally, and of the Larix Pendula, of the late Duke of Bedford in particular, agree with my observations of the Hackmatac of British America, I will therefore proceed with them.

The Hackmatac grows generally throughout the North Eastern States of the Union and British America, but is found in the largest quantities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island: the name is probably of Indian origin. The timber is straight grained, fitting it for small spars of ships, though I have known the mainmast of a vessel of 650 tons made of it—it works roughly-is rather given to warp-is hard, strong, and very durable. In the colonies it is generally used as a building timber, both for houses and small craft ; it is particularly approved for knees to fasten the beams of ships, the butt of the stem, and one of the principal roots forming the angle required. Treenails made of it are also considered to be of very superior quality.

It is not a timber of commerce, nor is it converted to any extent, but for house and ship building in the colonies. It is sometimes sawn into deals, but never shipped as Hackmatac deals, being occasionally called Juniper, or Red Spruce, though more generally confounded with Spruce and Hemlock, and shipped as inferior goods.

Hard working and warping deals, however valuable on the score of strength and durability, are not valued in the home market, where softness of grain, freedom of working, and absence of warping, have given a preference to the white or yellow deal of America.

The wood burns with a crackling noise, and though not so easily ignited as most of the Pine tribe, when once blazing, burns with great briskness, giving out fervent heat; and, therefore, in great request for the fuel of steam boat engines in Canada and the United States. Colonial vessels built of this wood are notoriously durable, inferior to none but teak or British oak; and excepting in one instance, the British Merchant, there is no record of such vessels having been destroyed by dry rot; whilst in several cases, the oak and other material surrounding, and attached to the Hackmatac, has been found destroyed by dry rot, the Larch has continued perfectly free. Paradoxes however never cease; one colonial gentleman, whose mercantile career in the colonies was not very successful, (Mr. H. S. Chapman.) has described Hackma tac ships, as commonly called sailors' coffins: and this opinion was adopted by a late President of the Board of Trade.-N. GoULD.

[ocr errors]

MERCHANT SEAMEN'S DUES,-REGISTRY ACT,-MARINE BOARD FOR REGULATING STEAM NAVIGATION, & PILOTAGE ACT.

WELL, Mr. Editor, after considerable perseverance in the exercise of our pens, abusing and holding up to ridicule that clever piece of legisla tion, known as "Sir James Graham's Act," it appears, from many admissions in parliament, it is likely to be remodelled. A select committee has in hand the claims of merchant seamen, to the appropriation of our own funds, which have been so shamefully withheld from us under the incomprehensible acts for the collection of Merchant Seamen's Dues, till there is, I suppose, an accumulation of somewhere about 100,000., and a yearly revenue of nearly the same amount. We are promised a "Marine Board," for the regulation of Steam Navigation; to curtail, if not prevent, the accidents continually occurring, from the ignorance and neglect of those to whom is entrusted this useful and important branch of navigation; and lastly, we are, on the subject of Pilotage, unfortunately told, that although "this is a subject very desirable to legislate upon; yet that it is at present of no use! and why? because a few interested people, and some of such narrow-minds, as always see danger in innovation, get up clamour when the matter is before Parliament; and thus we see likely to be continued for some time longer, that most abominable tax upon shipping, and especially upon steam navigation, (which, as I have upon former occasions said, amounts to from 300l. to 500l. per annum, upon many ships,) when all that is asked is to let the masters pilot their own ships, after they have passed an examination qualifying them for such charge! Oh! that a useful measure for the regulation of British shipping cannot be carried, because of a little clamour in the House of Commons, backed by the not quite disinterested elder brethren of the TrinityHouse, and its host of licensed pilots!

I have taken the present occasion for alluding to the foregoing subjects, and what is passing in regard to them; first to show, for rather to remind the public, how carefully the Nautical has an eye to passing events; to remind the said public, how much credit is due to its conductors, for their advocacy through its' pages, of all these interesting subjects connected with the interests of the Merchant Service, for some years past, which if they have not been carried on by some of your correspondents with vigor lately, will no doubt be resumed, now attention seems to be attracted to the many representations your pages have contained, of abuses on the subjects referred to. And that sooner or later, all such will be rectified, there can be no more doubt, than that the compliment is due to you, Mr. Editor, in causing the Nautical Magazine to have been the very principal organ of the press, in demanding such reforms.

ENLARGED SERIES. NO 4.-VOL. FOR 1840.

2 L

I would remind our legislators, that in respect to Sir J. Graham's bill, we have called for an amendment, on the score of its being deficient in procuring discipline in our ships,--that we have no law for the guidance of our Merchant Seamen, as to pointing out their duty, nor that of their officers,-that its professed object, viz. Registration, is a farce, nor can any rational man understand what is aimed at by Registration.

In respect to the Merchant Seamen's Dues, we demand as a matter of right, and not as charity, a fair distribution among t the "old, worn out, and decrepid," the whole of the annual contribution, which I have said, and repeat, ought to amount to about 100,000!.! and that the immense sum already accumulated, which probably is equal also to 100,000!., must be laid out some way or other, in our service; and that with submission to the Select Committee of the House of Commons, who have this matter before them, I think it could not be better appropriated, than in the building of a Second Greenwich on the banks of the Thames, wherein might be provided for, 200 masters, and 1000 or 1,500 old seamen, besides pensioning a great many more at their own homes; and if there is not money to effect this, there can be no doubt but shipowners would readily submit to a small tax, for the support of such a noble establishment, in which there should not be an individual employed, but the Sailors of the Merchant Service. It is to be hoped, that this subject will be taken up in a proper enlarged spirit, and not in petty squabbles, as to how much this port is to benefit, and how much another, where as I have formerly shewn, the greatest part of the thus divided small sums, is expended in "management."

In respect to Steam Navigation, the public has certainly a right to expect that it will be "controlled," and this effectually, by a Board, that will be armed with sufficient power, to accomplish what it is called into existence for; duties, which I think your correspondent, "Mercator," some time since shewed pretty clearly, may consist well with what it will owe to the public; and the interest of those interested in steamers.

In regard to Pilotage, I will only hope that ere long the parties who are now afraid of bringing forward the question, will retract the declaration that has been made; and that a complete re-modification of the laws relating to it, will take place; and I will conclude with asserting my conviction, that your very useful work will have the honor again by and by, of referring to this subject, as one on which it has held sound opinions, and such as will ere long be acted upon.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

A MASTER OF A BRITISH MERCHANT SLIP.

A SURVEYOR'S GLANCE AT THE COAST OF CHINA.

In laying before our readers the following rapid glance over the coast of China, from a late number of the Canton Register, we are somewhat gratified by the reflection, that a skilful and accomplished young officer, Lieutenant Collinson, of the Royal Navy, is now on his way to that part of the world; appointed for the sole object of surveying those parts of the coast where favorable opportunities offer. Assuredly, the maritime hydrography of China, with the exception of a very few places, has hitherto been untouched; and Lieutenant Collinson will have enough on his hands if he shews the way for our ships, as we have no doubt he will do, into many a valuable harbour frequented only hitherto by junks. It is well known that the Chinese people are mostly well inclined towards the English merchants, have been found eager to purchase British manufactures, but owing to the opposition of the Mandarines they are prevented from obtaining them. We shall look with much anxiety for the fruits of Lieutenant Collinson's appointment, and no less at the result of the present proceedings, in not only opening trade, but making known those parts of the coast where his labours will be so usefully directed. The following is the extract alluded to:—

"With lively joy, we should hail the arrival of one of the North Polar cruisers to survey the coast of China and Mantchooria. This is truly a gigantic task, and would confer greater honour upon the surveyors, than an abode of two or three winters in 80° latitude, under snow and ice. We might be led to inquire what has been gained by these costly expeditions, if we did not consider every additional information upon a dubious point in geography of real advantage to mankind. At the same time we must allow, that a survey of the whole coast of China would be less expensive, less dangerous, and infinitely more advantageous than those laudable enterprizes. A fear of hurting

the proverbial jealousy of the Chinese might have, in years of yore, prevented the execution of such an undertaking; but, as we are now convinced by a series of recent facts, that the security of the Canton trade is not endangered by expeditions to the north-east coast, we may safely venture to complete the work of the sagacious Kang-he.

"No coast of the Asiatic continent has so many excellent and spacious harbours as the Chinese, Hainan and Mantchooria included; it extends from 18° to 54° latitude, and is thus more extensive than that of any other empire in the world. As it is confidently hoped that British enterprise will no longer be confined to one single part, the property of British subjects will be exposed to great risks, as long as the ships have to sail in the dark and to grope their way.

"The coast of Canton, with the exception of some of the eastern

parts, is pretty well known. The south-western parts of Fokien have also attracted the notice of the scientific navigator, but we are not aware, that the Chaou-gan Bay, which is sheltered against all winds, is known to any European. Chang-poo-heen has a bar harbour, with three fathoms over the bar at low water, and has latterly become known, but has never been surveyed. Beyond Amoy the coast is much indented, but we wish not to dwell upon any anchorage which Horsburgh has noticed, though his information is much circumscribed. Even those harbours of which he has given an outline still deserve to be visited by the hydrographer, for in many are unknown dangers, which, to a vessel without the aid of a pilot, would prove destructive. Hwuy-gan harbour, though the resort of numerous junks, is scarcely known by name. Kee-leaou has a harbour sheltered against all winds, but the entrance is very dangerous. The Me-choo Islands form too a well sheltered harbour; but, there is a sunken rock in mid-channel, of which the position has never been accurately ascertained. In regard of the spacious bay of Hing-hwa-foo, we are completely in the dark-nor do we know much about the passage between the island of Hae-tan and the main, except that it is very dangerous, on account of not being surveyed. The entrance to Fuh-choo harbour, though partly surveyed, ought to be better known before large ships can venture into it. From Ting-hae, a port in the neighbourhood of Fuh-choo, which has been visited up to the frontiers of Che-kiang province, the coast is a complete fairy land, scarcely ever visited by any ship-nor are the numerous and well cultivated islands with which it is studded, even known by name. We mention here the principal bays and harbours, which will claim the attention of the surveyor,-Lo-yuen-heen, Ning-tih-heen, with a very spacious bay, and Fuh-ning-foo, the latter the nearest harbour to the Woo-e hills, from whence we receive our black teas.

"Between the Piscadores, or Pang-hoo islands, are many good anchorages, but utterly unknown. The frightful coast of Formosa, with its large sand banks, is not so dangerous as it might be imagined; but, a ship without sailing directions runs a considerable risk. We do not now speak of the east coast, which seems to have entirely escaped notice, but as we have read a parliamentary speech upon this island, and have seen some of its bar harbours, we should indulge ourselves with the hope, that it will form a part of the survey.

"The Che-keang coast is equally indented as the Fokien, but we look in vain for sailing directions and shall only mention the principal harbours, beginning from the south, Hwuy-gan-heen, Wanchoo, Lo-tsing-heen, Tae-ping.heen, Tae-choo, Ning-hae-heen, Shih-po basin, the entrance of the Tseen-tang river, which leads to the capital, Hang-choo, and Cha-po harbour, which has been visited. Ning po and

« AnteriorContinuar »