or be warned by other ships, or signal stations ashore, whilst if she does not carry it, but still adheres to some obsolete code, she is left out in the cold, can often get no assistance, and can make no intelligible communication. In more than one instance has a ship and all on board perished through inability to make her wants known by a signal that would be every where understood. The system, however, is at present of use only in the day time. To make it of use at night, Sir William Mitchell-whose endeavours to benefit his fellow-man by extending the code are so well knownhas invented a system of night signalling. This system is now before the proper authorities in this country, and we hope to be able shortly to inform our readers that it is adopted.

By means of the signal lantern, of which an illustration is given on the opposite page, the whole of the International Code Signals may be made and interpreted AT NIGHT with the greatest ease and facility. In the interior of the lantern there is a simple mechanism -which cannot get out of order-for changing the colour of the white light to a red, or to a green light, by means of the lever c. There is also a dark slide connected with the lever F for making the flashes.

On board ship the signal lantern may be shipped like a stanchion, in places made for the purpose, on the bow or quarter. If, however, it is desirable to make the signals from a greater height, the lantern can be carried to the tops, fixed there, and worked from that position.

To "call attention" of a ship, or shore signal station, with which communication is desired :

1. Fire a gun, if there is one on board.

2. Open the light by placing the lever F at the point marked b, and then move the lever c to and fro, between the points g, w, and r; this will cause green, white, and red lights to be shown in quick succession. The movement of this lever should be continued until the "attention" signal is answered. As soon as the signal is answered the light should be shut off, by moving the lever F from b to a. After a short pause proceed to signal by making the number of flashes (white, red, or green) indicated for each letter.

In making the International Code Night Signals the following rules should be observed :

3. The flashes should be made slowly and regularly by moving the lever F from a to b and back again to a.

4. After the number of flashes have been completed for a letter, allow an interval of time to elapse equal to three flashes, before commencing the flashes for the next letter.

THE INTERNATIONAL CODE.

5. When the signal has been completed, the red light should be opened, to indicate that the signal is finished. The red light should remain open until the answering signal is received, but if, after an interval of time, equal to twenty flashes, no answering signal is received, shut off the red light, and repeat the signal.

6. The answering signal, if the signal is understood, is in all cases the repetition of the signal sent.

The following is an example of a ship communicating with another ship, or with the shore.

Captain Braine, the harbour master at Ramsgate, has reported as follows to Captain Sir William Walker, H.C.S., etc., Board of Trade.

*

* One

"On the evening of the 29th December, Sir William Mitchell's Patent Signal Lanterns were preliminarily tried here. lantern (8-inch lens) was placed on the deck of the Tug, another (6-inch lens) on the East Pier Head. The Tug proceeded out of the harbour, steering in the direction of the Downs, and when about two miles from the harbour the engines were stopped, and the vessel allowed to drive with the tide. * * Signals were then made from the Tug by flashes of "Red," "Green," and

"White" Lights, according to the number required to indicate the letters in the International Code. These signals were distinctly seen with the naked eye, and understood by us on the Pier; we saw the signals quite distinctly, although the moon was at the time shining brightly in our faces. Those on board the Tug saw with the naked eye our signals on the East Pier Head, although our signal lantern was close to the flashing light.

"From what I saw of the lantern I should think that, on a clear dark night, these night signals might be seen with the naked eye at a distance of from two to three miles, and with a glass at a distance of four miles.

After a few trials any person can learn to make the signals correctly. I consider these night signals to be far superior to any that I have seen, both for simplicity in working them and correctness in reading them. The trial was very satisfactory."

Some experiments with this lamp were made at the Trinity House, on Friday evening the 12th January. One lamp was stationed at a window of the Trinity House and another at a convenient place in the Tower. Some brief instructions were given to one of the Trinity yachtsmen who had never seen the lamp before, and he was then sent to the Tower to manage the signals there. The signals made from the Trinity House were answered with great precision, and the trial was most satisfactory. The Committee who witnessed the experiments expressed themselves as highly pleased with the extreme simplicity of the apparatus, and they considered it would be most useful for signalling at night with the International Code.

We might bring forward much more testimony as to the efficiency of this invention, but we think that it is one of those things which simply wants attention drawn to it and then it speaks for itself, and utters its own praise.

A TRUE STORY OF A GOLDEN RING.

On the 8th November, 1871, a public officer at Colchester reported that having seen a report in the Shipping Gazette that a bullock had been picked up by the crew of the smack Mary Ann, belonging to that port, and that in opening the said bullock a gold ring had been taken out of it, he had, in execution of his official duties, directed his deputy to call on the master of the smack for a report.