contact with a schooner at 3 o'clock this morning, off St. Catherine's.- Feb. 18th. 43. Southwold, Feb.-The Betsey, sloop, of Hull, for London, was off this port to day, with her mast gone, having been in contact with a light brig during the night, but has rigged a jury-mast and is about proceeding.-Feb. 18th. 44. Lowestoft, Feb. 16th.-The barque Metropolis, Penny, of London, from Sunderland for Hong Kong, about 12h. 30m. this morning, wind being at W.b.S., blowing hard, reaching in towards Winterton Ness. crew reefing topsails at the time, was ran into by a large steamer, steering to the N., which struck her under the lee bow, carrying away bowsprit, cutwater, and figurehead (which was left on board the steamer,) and doing considerable other damage; ship being unmanageable, the best bower was let go, and at daylight took the assistance of a yawl's crew, and afterwards of a steam tug, the wind increasing into a gale from the W.N.W., signalized and procured the assistance of another steam-tug, by whose united assistance the ship was towed saf ly into this harbour about 3h. P.M. The master complains that the steamer after the collision, went off at full speed, regardless of his entreaties to stay by him.-Feb. 18th 45. Yarmouth, Norfolk, Feb. 15th.-The screw-steamer Cameron, Patrick, of and from Hull, for Rotterdam, put into the roads to day with funnel knocked on one side, and other damage, having been in contact with a barque, the barque had her bowsprit carried away, and proceeded southerly.--Feb. 18th. 46. Salcombe, Feb. 17th.-The barque Florida, Harvey, from Newcastle to Algiers, and the Helen Martin, Doucharty, of Dumfries, from Lisbon to Leith; got into collision on the 14th instant, about 1h. a m., in lat. 47° 58′, it being very dark with a heavy squall; wind at N.W.b. W. at the time and could not see any distance. Never observed anything near them until the vessels were foul of each other; both vessels were under close reefed sails, with a heavy sea at the time. The crew of the brigantine got safe on board the barque, with the exception of one man, who slipped between the vessels and was drowned; his name was Robert Fisher, a native of Dumfries. The crew of the l'elen Martin, had not time to save any of their clothes more than they had on at the time of the collision, as the vessel was in a sinking state; and they believe she went down immediately, as they could not see her when on board the barque about ten minutes after leaving her. Mr. Harvey and Mr. Doucharty, with their crews, beg. through the medium of the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, to return their sincere thanks to Mr. Evans, and his crew, for the kindness they have received whilst on board the schooner Victoria.-Feb. 18th. 47. Portsmouth, Feb. 18th.-Put in, the Warrior, Thomas, from London for Quebec. The barque May Queen, Sayers, from London for Port Philip, has come into harbour to repair damages sustained by having been in contact with a schooner off St. atherine's; and has been surveyed, the cut-water is found to be displaced, the works of the head carried away, and the woodends on both bows, strained and open, with other damage: she must be lightened.-Feb. 19th. 48. Harwich Feb. 18th.-The smack Brothers and Sisters in turning into the harbour to-day got in contact with the brig Soelarken, of Tonsberg, lying at anchor; broke the smack's anchor and carried away her bow-sprit, and holed the brig, which was obliged to slip and run on the mud.-Feb. 19th. 49. London, Feb. 20th-The Solecito Borchese (Austrian barque) has been stranded at Connemara, after being plundered by the country people. The Victoria, of Leith, from London to Barbadoes, was in contact où the evening of the 11th of February, in lat. 46° N., long 12° W., wi h the Sir George Seymour, Millman, from Calcutta, arrived in the river, and lost the greater part of her larboard fore and main rigging, but had partly repaired damages next morning, and would proceed. The Sir George Seymour lost foreyard and spritsailyard.-Feb. 20th. 50. Gravesend, Feb. 19th.—Passed: The St. Hilda, from Hartlepool, with the loss of her bowsprit, and other damage, having been in contact in the Swin, Feb. 16th wind W., strong.-Feb 20th. 51. Report of the Peggy -Le Briton, of Jersey, arrived at Hartlepool, 19th inst; left London Feb. 8th, and nothing particular happened until the 12th, at five o'clock, when lying to in a gale under close-reefed main topsail and main-staysail, we saw a light schoooner, and we immediately put our helm up, but the vessel, being under such short canvass. could not bear away, and the vessel ran on board of us, and carried away the bow-sprit, jib, cut water, five stanchions, bulwark rail, covering boards from mast to mast, and part of the taffrail, and crushed the long boat to pieces.-Feb. 21st. 52. Yarmouth, Norfolk-Wind W, strong. The Mary, Bedford, of and for Sunderland, from London, put into the harbour to-day, with loss of stanchions, rails, bulwarks, and other damage, having been in contact in the Swin with the schooner Zenobia, of Dundee.-Feb. 22nd. 53. Liverpool, Feb. 22nd.-The Firefly, Grebow, from Bonny, received some damage, last evening after anchoring in the Sloyne, from being run foul of by the Star of the West, Lowber from New York.-Feb 23rd. 54. Gravesend, Feb 23rd.-The Margaret, Musgrove, from Hartlepool, was in contact in Sea-reach on the 20th inst. with the Sybil, Jones, from Sunderland, and was cut down abaft nearly to the water's edge; she had to slip her anchor and chain, and run on shore to prevent her sinking; wind at the time strong from W.N W., but she has since been got off and towed up the river very leaky.--Feb. 25th. 55 Bridlington, 23rd-The Union, Holmes, from Yarmouth for Shields, in the bay, reports when laid to in a heavy gale from W.N.W., 21st inst., off Whitby, was run into by a schooner, (name unknown), striking her on the larboard bow, doing her considerable damage; she makes a good deal of water, but intends to proceed.-Feb. 23rd. 56 Bergen eb. 8th.-The brig Staatsraad Vogt, Soelberg, from Trapani, arrived here, was in contact in the English Channel with the ship Euphrates, Wilson, from China, and the brig has lost an anchor and chain in our river. Feb. 25th. 57. Corunna, Feb. 19th.-The Victoria, Menzies, from London, for Trinidad, put in here on the 17th of Feb., with damage, having been in contact, in lat. 45° N., long 10° W. with the Sir George Seymour, from Calcutta for London.-Feb. 28th. NAUTICAL NOTICES. SAILING DIREctions for thE PORT OF AKYAB, in the Arracan River. East-India House, London, the 5th March, 1850. Ships sailing for Akyab during the south-west monsoon should steer for the south end of the Western Bolongo, in lat. 19° 50′ N., long. 93° 3′ E., then stand along the coast to the northward and westward about five or six miles off shore, until the light is sighted on the Great Savage, at the entrance of the Arracan River, then steer so as to bring it to bear N.b. E. or N.N.E., and if they intend to run in during the night, with either of these bearings, they will cross the bar in the best water, in three fathoms low water spring tides. After deepening across it, the course should be altered to N.b.W., or even N.N.W., according to the state of the tide and sea at the time, to avoid the Western Rocks (above water), bearing from the light S.W. & S., distant nearly half a mile: the flood tide sets in on these rocks. When the light bears east, in six to nine fathoms on the edge of the flat to the westward, the course must be altered to N.N.E., and N.E.b.N.; having brought the light to bear S.E.b.S.S., the ship will be inside of Passage Rock, which is five to seven feet above water, and bears from the Savage Light N.W. N., distant a quarter of a mile, and should then steer N.E. easterly, to avoid the reef projecting from Faqueer's Point a mile in extent to the South: some of the rocks are above water at half ebb. There is a red buoy placed on the southern entrance in about nine fathoms, which, with attention, may be seen in a clear night without the moon, and after bringing Faqueer's Point to bear N.W.b.N. to N.W., the ship should anchor. On Faqueer's Point a small lighthouse is nearly finished, the light of which will be a deep red, and will be seen about six miles, or three miles beyond the bar, as a leading mark to clear the western rocks, keeping it a little open to the westward of the Savage Light when steering in or out, also to point out when the ship is inside the reef off Faqueer's Point. With this light bearing N.W.b.N. to N.W. is good anchorage, having excellent holding ground, and perfectly sheltered from the sea. A stranger should not attempt to run in at night, particularly in the rains, except at high or low water, as the ebb tide runs very rapidly in strong eddies off the Passage Rock, over the dangerous flat to the westward, and the flood in strong eddies upon the rocks. During the N.E. monsoon, ships bound to Akyab, from the northward, should endeavour to make the Table Land of the Western Bolongo, in lat. 20° 1' N., then steering due east they will avoid the Oyster Reef, in lat. 20° 5' N., long. 92° 40' E., which is distant from the Savage Light fifteen miles due west. This course is recommended, as although in favourable weather the Savage Light is seen outside the reef in sixteen to seventeen fathoms water, the depth suddenly decreases, and the probability of hazy or rainy weather, would prevent the light being seen; and steering boldly in to sight it, to the northward of lat. 20° 1′, would endanger the safety of the vessel, by suddenly falling upon the Oyster Rock or reef before sighting the lighthouse. I would not advise strangers on any occasion to make use of the channel inside of the Oyster Rock or reef. JAMES PATERSON, The directions above given by Capt. Paterson were published in 1844. The red light referred to was finished and first exhibited in 1845. In 1848 a red buoy was laid on the N.E edge of the bar, in three and a half fathoms low water. The following additional directions are therefore considered necessary by the port master, and by Capt. Dicey, of the Honourable Company's steamer Tenasserim. In the event of the red buoy on the edge of the bar breaking adrift, it is recommended in working across the bar, not to bring the Great Savage light to bear more easterly than N.E.b. N., until you deepen over. so, Capt. Paterson's directions may be followed. When you do Capt. Paterson's caution as to not going in at night, must still be attended to, as the red light is not seen till the bar is crossed. By order of the Superintendent of Marine, Fort William, 31st October 1849. JAMES SUTHERLAND, Secretary. Published by order of the Court of Directors of the East-India Company. JAMES C. MELVILL, Secretary. Singapore, February 1st, 1850. Capt. Marsh, of the brig Gem, has favoured us with the following notice of a shoal observed by him on the 16th ultimo, on his recent voyage from Lombok while passing through the Soloo Sea. "Bearings-Unsang Point S.S.E., and the west extreme of Tambelan Island S.S.W., lat. 5° 34′ N., long. 119° 20′ E. The shoal could be very distinctly seen from the topsail yard, and appeared two miles in extent, and the coral rocks just under water at places." Capt. Marsh further observes that," Unsang Point is laid down in Horsburgh's chart too far to westward. Most of the islands and shoals in this neighbourhood are very incorrectly laid down, and towards the Strait of Balabak several are not laid down at all. Any vessel sailing through the Soloo Sea, and Strait of Balabak, should have a good look out from the topsail yard, and keep the lead going in the night."—Singapore Free Press. [Every one knows there is not a more dangerous navigation than the Sooloo Sea, and one of which we know less.-ED.] Buenos Ayres, December 10th, 1849. RIVER PLATE LIGHT.-The captains and consignees of national as well as foreign vessels are hereby informed that the national barque Condor is placed as a light vessel between Point Indio and the eastern extremity of the Ortiz Bank, and since it has been established a large lanthorn is hoisted on the foremast every night (visible in regular weather at nine miles distance), and a flag during the day when any vessel is in sight, that it may serve as a guide to any ves sel entering or departing from this port. The light ship bears from Point Indio N.E.b.N. nine miles, and from the end of Ortiz Bank S.W.b.S. seven miles in lat. 35° 11′ S., and 57° 3′ W. of Greenwich. According to orders there will always be found on board said light ship capable and examined pilots, who will take charge of and conduct to this port any vessel that may apply there. PEDRO XIMENO, Captain of the Port. ISSUE OF GROG.-The Peninsular and Oriental Company and the Royal Navy. -We have often noticed the liberal pay and emoluments of the Seamen of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company's Squadron. They have the first and best Seamen in the world navigating their ships; not a few of whom were brought up in the Royal Service. They are contented, happy, and thriving, and the utmost respect and obedience is secured, without the infliction of corporal punishment; for the Commanders are not privileged to use a "cat o'nine tails." The secret of having such good and orderly crews consists in paying the men who serve in the Peninsula and Mediterranean stations, 50s. a calendar month, against 36s. 10d. paid to the Able Seaman in the Royal Navy, being a difference of 13s. 2d. in favour of the former; and in the East Indies and China, 55s. a month against 36s. 10d. a month, being a difference of 18s. 2d. per calendar month in favour of the men em ployed by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company. We stated some time since that only about one-half of the Company's men took up their allowance of grog, the sailors preferring, for the benefit of their wives and families, to receive a liberal allowance of money instead; and now we see it stated that, "The Directors of the l'eninsular Steam Navigation Company have decided on sailing their ships on temperance principles, and with that view are making the necessary arrangements with regard to the allowance of spirits and wine to be shipped as requisite for medical purposes. It is understood that this new arrangement on the part of the Company commenced with the steamer Jupiter, on the 27th ult.. but that it is intended to apply only so far as the crews of the several vessels are concerned, and not to interfere in any way with reference to the passengers. The crews will be allowed in money more than the cost of the spirits hitherto supplied to them." This is a most judicious arrangement, and reflects great credit on the Directors of this enterprising Company. They will succeed in their en deavour, and the men, we are quite sure will appreciate the wise resolution of the Company. We are glad to find that they have anticipated the resolutions of the "Royal Naval Grog Committee;" but we may remark that whereas, in running from port to port, the Company can very safely and beneficially abolish the allowance of spirits to their seamen, it would not be wise in a Man-of-War. with the "salt junk and salt pork half a dozen years old, to do away with the seamen's grog altogether. We trust, however, that the distinguished Commmittee will accept the proposition of Rear Admiral Dundas, and reduce the allowance to one-half the quantity at present issued. In the strong rum, which, by the way, is not so good now-adays as it used to be, sufficient alcohol will be found to assist the digestion of the "mahogany" at dinner, and the extra dose at supper being abolished, many a good man will be preserved from degradation at the gangway. TRIAL OF THE NEW YORK AND GLASGOW NEW SCREW STEAM SHIP, CITY OF GLASGOW. It seems only the other day that we announced the launch of this noble vessel. She is now ready for sea. The precise dates, which mark a rapidity so extraordinary, seem not unworthy of being recorded. On the 28th of February, then, the launch took place. On the 1st of March the good ship was at the Crane-berth in the harbour, for the purpose of getting her machinery on board. On the 20th her steam was up and machinery in motion, and on the 27th, within four weeks after being launched, she proceeded down the Clyde to the Gairloch, to get her compasses adjusted, in full rig and equipment for sea! Considering the weight and power of the engines, and the magnitude of the vessel, this celerity of despatch on the part of Messrs. Todd and M'Gregor has, perhaps, scarcely a parallel in the annals of steam-craft. The City of Glasgow, previously to going up the Gairloch on Wednesday, stretched out towards the Cumbraes, and in fair steaming she made ten and a quarter knots an hour; thus exceeding the expectations of her builders and owners by about two knots, although not in the best trim for speed, being four feet draft of water more aft than forward, and the screw topping the surface fully twelve inches. This is an auspicious commencement, and we have no doubt that under canvass, for which she has been especially constructed, the City of Glasgow will prove almost unequalled in speed. The majestic steamer was last week out at sea for several days, proving herself in every possible way, in order that she may proceed on her first voyage as a sound and well tried ship. There is now no doubt whatever that this magnificent vessel will proceed on her voyage to New York on the appointed day, namely the 16th of April, and we learn that she is likely to carry out a full complement of passengers, two-thirds of the |