has not the slightest chance of escaping des- ]-3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANCHORING IN STRUYS BAY, CURRENTS, TIDES, &c.

The coast between Northumberland Point and Struys Point, viz., of Struys Bay, is low and sandy, but a short distance from the beach there is a line of sand hills varying from 50 to 150 feet in height, some of them covered with dark-coloured bush, a feature that distinguishes the coast from Struys Point to the next point eastward of it. There is no high land sufficiently near to interfere with the distinguishing character of the hills northward of Agulhas, as viewed from the seaward.

Northumberland Point bears east from the light 3½ miles. It is low and sandy immediately on the beach; but a very dangerous ledge of rocks extends S. 37deg. 30min. E., 1 mile from the Point, and a detached rock was fixed by intersection while breaking, which places it S. 58deg. 30min. E., 1¾ mile from the Point; and S. 84deg. 40min. E., 4 1-5 miles from the light. The extreme of Northumberland Point reef bears S. 77 deg. 30min. E., 3 9-10 miles nearly from the light. Westward from the Point the reefs extend about one-third of a mile and break heavily when the wind is from the S.E. In one or two places it breaks further out, but in no place exceeds half a mile.

Struys Point is the outer extreme of a number of sand hills, and, as before stated, forms the eastern horn of Struys Bay. It bears from Northumberland Point, which is the western horn, N. 79 deg. 30 min. E., 11 miles (estimated), and N. 82 deg. 20 min. E., 15 miles from the light-house. This Point is more dangerous than Northumberland Point, inasmuch as the reefs lie much further off the shore, and there is no high land to enable the mariner to determine his position. Circumstances did not allow of this Point being included in the Agulhas survey; but during a strong south-easter it was remarked from the summit of the sand hills near the Point, that the reef extended seaward about three miles, and was then breaking with fury.

Like Northumberland Point, the colour of the water off this Point changes to seaward from brown to light, then dark green; from which it may be inferred, together with the known shallowness of the water off Northumberland Point, that the lead as well as the colour of the water, will always warn a ship of the approach of danger.

Struys Bay is formed by Struys Point to the east, and Northumberland Point to the west. The landing place is in a small bay or cove to the N.W. of Northumberland Point sheltered by a projecting shelf of shingle from each extremity of the cove. The jetty, constructed from pieces of wreck, renders the landing easy; but at the outer horns of the shingle there is only water sufficient for a boat at quarter flood in fine weather. Three or four huts at the head of the jetty, point out its position from the bay. Immediately in the neighbourhood, on higher ground, is a stone dwelling-house, with a signal staff a few yards behind it, termed the telegraph staff on the chart.

The marks for anchoring are the large stone house near the beach W. ½ S., and the sandy extreme of Northumberland Point S.W. by S. in five fathoms sand. Here the bottom is clear, while to the westward and nearer to the reef, the bottom is foul—rocks interspersed with patches of sand. The latter is unsafe, the cable is liable to snap from fouling the rocks, an accident that befel H. M. Vessel “Dee,” while lying there in a light south-westerly wind accompanied by the usual swell.

Directions for Anchoring.—Vessels from the westward intending to anchor in this bay, should not bring the light house to bear more westerly than W. by N. ½ N., until Northumberland Point bears N.W. by N. Then steer N.N.E. or N.E. by N., until the stone house before mentioned bears W.N.W. This will lead clear of the outer detached reefs off Northumberland Point. Proceed then to N.W., and bring the anchorage marks on.

The light will not be visible from this anchoring ground, owing to the swell of the intervening land.

Precautions respecting Struys Bay.—Shelter may be obtained in this bay during westerly and north-westerly winds only. None is afforded with the wind between S.W. round to the southward and east. With any of the latter winds it is unsafe, if not impossible, to ride in this bay, for the sea rises to such an extent as to break in seven or eight fathoms, a circumstance that was remarked on two occasions while H. M. Steamer “Dee” was standing off and on waiting for the weather to moderate to enable her to anchor. At the time of anchoring, although the wind had subsided for several hours, the water nearly broke in seven fathoms, where the anchor was let go; and at the place from whence she had put to sea three days before in 4½ fathoms, the sea was breaking heavily. As a general rule, vessels seeking shelter in this bay in a N.W. gale, should put to sea immediately after it subsides; for the wind frequently changes in a few hours from a strong N.W. to a S.E. or south point; in which case it is very difficult to work out, in consequence of the heavy sea that rises with these winds.

Currents.—During the examinations of the coast (Sept. 1848) no current was observed in Struys Bay, nor about the coast 2½ miles from the shore, as far to the westward of Agulhas as the letter E. on the chart; but it was confidently asserted by fishermen, and the residents at Struys Bay, that a very strong current frequently sets to the westward round Northumberland Point.

Tides.—Circumstances did not allow of the tides being observed with due accuracy. Two copper plugs were let into rocks S.W. of the light house, to mark the high and low water points nearly at spring tides. The comparisons with these plugs on October 15, 16, 18, 19, 28, 29 (1848), and an observation at the jetty in Struys Bay, on October 28, give the