The vessels might be fitted and prepared to receive a gun or a mortar, and their crews frequently exercised at small arms. In the winter the surveying officers might be landed for the purpose of charting their work, and the vessels return to their several ports in readiness to perform the many important services for which they are constantly required. To continue. Every young man entering the service should have attained the age of nineteen, whether a naval apprentice or from the merchant service; and if from the latter, not after thirty years of age, half of which time, and after he had attained the age of nineteen, should count towards a pension, provided the whole did not exceed five years. His first entry should be into the Royal Navy for five years service afloat in one of Her Majesty's ships. But under certain circumstances a government appointment might be given first of one year in Reserve, to be followed by five years service afloat, and then again one year in Reserve before the second term of five years service afloat. The first two years service afloat should be as an ordinary seaman, unless he had been four years in the merchant service; and then if duly qualified he should be rated A.B. On the completion of five years active service, after a certain leave of absence, the man should be placed in Reserve for two years, either in one of the above establishments, or, should there be no vacancy, to return to the merchant service; in which case he should be allowed a pension of five pounds per annum while in Reserve, to be paid as a bonus on his second entrance into active service; but there should be no extra allowance made to those employed under government. When his reserved time was up, he would be liable to be called upon again to serve on board a man-of-war, and again for five years; with this advantage, that whether he had been employed in a government establishment or not, he should receive in addition to his pay as an A B five pounds per annum, as long service pay, and also one badge. At the end of his second servitude, he would be eligible again for the Reserve for the period of two years, and if not employed in a government establishment, entitled to have his pension increased to ten pounds per annum, to be paid as before on his third and last compulsory entry into active service. for neither were to be had on most occasions; and their duty was completed without accident or loss, and gained them the approval of their Admiral. But what followed? On the conclusion of this important duty, these vessels in the ensuing year were ordered not to resume their surveying duties, but to return to port and pay off, the officers being directed to carry on their surveys in hired boats, with hired crews. The result of this is that much valuable time has been lost, for there can be no comparison between the advantages of a steamvessel for sounding over boats or even sailing vessels. The surveys of the coasts, that are so much desired, have in consequence been delayed, and should another such contingency arise, as that which in 1846 required the services of those steam-vessels, they will not be found in the occupation offered by the surveying service, unless indeed they are restored to it under a due impression of the worthiness of their employment, and as auxiliaries to the very important and comparatively inexpensive measures here proposed.-ED. At the expiration of his time in Reserve, he would again be liable to be called on for another five years, receiving ten pounds per annum in addition to his pay and two badges, for long and good service. At the end of his third service of five years sea-time, he should if deserving, receive a pension of fifteen pounds per annum with three badges, be exempt from further compulsory service in the Royal Navy, and enrolled as a naval pensioner. Although not subject to compulsory servitude, a naval pensioner might be eligible to serve for an additional five years, but only to receive ten pounds per annum in addition to his pay; and at the end of twenty years active service, his pension should be increased to twenty pounds per annum, the highest granted. No man should be eligible to serve afloat in the Royal Navy after the age of forty-five, unless by the express permission of the Admiralty. Every man completing twenty years servitude might be enrolled as a "Naval Veteran," and entitled to wear a medal for long and faithful service. In the event of being entitled to a medal for action, such medal might be distinguished by the addition of cross swords. A man invalided from the service after five years active service, in consequence of any wound or hurt contracted in the service, should be allowed a pension according to the nature of his wound and length of service, under the pleasure of the Admiralty. All men would be subject to lose time if convicted by court-martial of bad conduct; and no man discharged with disgrace should participate in any of the advantages above recited. All Veterans and Pensioners under the age of sixty should be subject to be called on to serve in Great Britain on all occasions that the militia may be called out, and embodied under the name of Naval Brigade. The following statement will show the cost of one seaman after fifteen years active service, according to the foregoing scheme: Age 19 On first en-2 years ordinary seaman, at £19 15 5......... 99 £24 6 8 24 When dis-2 years in Reserve (paid by the department he £ d. S. 39 10 10 73 0 0 0 0 0 31 On 2nd dis-2 years in Reserve (paid by the department he 000 Reserve. 33 On 3rd en-5 years A B...at £24 6 8......... 121 13 4 Reserve...... 38 On final dis- If not employed under Government while in the service. Utmost cost to Government for each man £460 17 0 Present cost of each man for fifteen years service, with no power But the subject of manning the navy, is now fairly taken up, and it is to be hoped something effectual will be accomplished. Perhaps the best mode of securing it, would be to appoint a committee to report on the best scheme to be adopted. London, April 1st, 1852. W. L. SHERINGHAM, Captain, R.N. RECOLLECTIONS OF SIX MONTHS IN PUGET SOUND. H.M.S. Fisgard, 42, Captain J. A. Duntze, was despatched from Valparaiso early in the month of January, 1846, for the protection of the Hudson's Bay possessions in Vancouver's Island and Puget Sound; the "boundary question" being then, a matter of serious moment to British interests in that remote quarter of the globe. The passage to San Blas was not marked by any occurrence of more than ordinary sea voyages, if we may except the making of San Benedicto and Socorro, which former island was found to differ considerably, both in latitude and longitude from the position assigned to it in Raper's Navigation; a discrepancy, which ships leaving San Blas or Mazatlan, would do well to investigate. Having on the 12th March, taken on board seven live bullocks, and completed water, we left the miserable village of San Blas, for the more interesting and salubrious Strait of De Fuca. After clearing Cape St. Lucas, we made the best of our way to the northward, and by taking advantage of every slant of wind, we had by the 31st March, attained the lat. of 30° 30′ and long. 124.° As it was the intention of the Captain to try the experiment of keeping the coast in this trip, we now stood in for the land, making the islands of Sta. Rosa, &c. at 8 A.M. of 3rd April. At 6 P.M., broken water was reported, upon which pleasing intelligence we tacked, bottom being attained with 65 fathoms (blue mud). These islands appear barren and chalky. The main was high, but at too great a distance to form any judgment of its nature. On the following day a large tree floated by, and which most probably had been swept out of the Columbia River. We continued to stand off to the westward until the 7th, when we were in lat. 33° 15' and long. 128° 15.' The ship was again tacked, and at noon of the 11th, both the North and South Farallones were seen. The weather being hazy, we could not obtain a good view of them. The sea was breaking heavily on the northernmost, which appears to consist of four large rocks; one just awash. The high land near San Francisco shewed dimly through the mist. At 6 P.M., tacked ship, and stood off shore. From this time until the 15th, we worked by short boards along the coast of New Albion, having a fierce breeze from north-west, occasionally approaching the sand to within a mile, and which well deserves the name of "Albion." The Pine Forests commenced at this point, and increased in the abundance of their trees, as we made northing. Finding that an inshore track was not likely to expedite our voyage, we stood off shore until the 21st, being then in lat. 39° 30', and long. 130. When at the lowest grade of despair, and without a hope of ever weathering Cape Mendocino, the wind became more westerly, and we made considerable progress to the northward. On the 26th it became fair; on the 29th we again made the land, and had a good view of Mount Olympus, which we afterwards saw on the opposite side from Puget Sound. At 5 P.M. the Flattery Rocks were seen, as also Whidby Harbour, which has a wide and bold entrance. Soon afterwards Cape Flattery itself was plainly discernable, with the hills of Vancouver in the distance. It being too late to approach the unknown Strait, we hauled off for the night, during which we experienced a furious gale from the south-east, with a heavy turbulent sea, said to be very common in this locality. At daylight we were in an excellent position for entering the "Old river of the West;" mistaken, in the days of yore for the Columbia. From this brief outline it will be seen that we occupied a period of seven weeks in making the passage from San Blas to Cape Flattery, having to contend with winds, which without any favourable interval blew from the north-west. On some occasions, scarcely any northing was gained, although a strong working breeze and smooth water prevailed. From these, and other circumstances attending this voyage, there can be no doubt whatever, that the most advantageous method of going from the Gulf of California to Vancouver's Island would be, to steer for the Sandwich Islands, after rounding Cape St. Lucas; and by touching at Byrons Bay, (Owyhee) stock and water could be obtained in abundance. This part of the voyage would usually be accomplished in about twenty to thirty days, and the remaining portion in a fortnight. Indeed, it might be done at an average of thirty-five to forty days: thus combining a saving of time, with the comforts and benefits of giving the ship's company a few good dinners of fresh beef. However, since information gained by experience is preferable to any imaginary speculation, it is not at all to be regretted that we took an inner passage, although many amongst us were greatly disappointed of our anticipated visit to the burning lakes of "Monaroa." When nearly abreast of Duncan Rock, and about half a mile outside it, the water was observed by the captain to break in a manner similar to the eddy produced by the diving of a whale or large fish; but as it then subsided, no further notice was taken of it. On the arrival of Captain Kellett in the Herald at a subsequent period, it was made known to him, and on his survey of the Strait, he found a shoal with 31 fathoms existing in the precise spot indicated by this surf: the old charts of the coast having no such place marked on them. When just rounding Cape Flattery, a canoe containing six Indians and a young girl, paddled off from the shore; and on coming under the stern they asked if we were "Man-a-war ship"? A King George's ship? or a Boston ship? A rope was then thrown to them, which was very cleverly caught by the female "bowman," and although towed at the rate of seven knots, she held it on most firmly. The symmetrical figure of the canoe attracted general admiration. We could not delay to allow them to come on board, and after an attempt to carry on a conversation by means of nods, winks, and frowns they left us, making directly for the land. The men were wrapped about in pieces of blanket, one being ornamented with a red cap, and the girl sported a sailor's jacket. It was astonishing to see how well they managed the canoe in the sea that was running, and we were afterwards informed that the natives of Cape Flattery, frequently chase and capture the largest whales, having a harpoon very ingeniously made with sharpened mussel shells, which are of a considerable size and thickness. We had not proceed very far into the Strait, when a sudden and heavy squall threw the ship almost on her broadside; the men being at dinner, sail could not be shortened quick enough; however, as it lasted but for a couple of minutes, no harm was done. Some canoes which were paddling alongside, pushed off immediately that they heard the wind, and kept directly before it until it had passed them, when they returned to the ship: we noticed them practice this same manœuvre on another occasion. During the whole of the day we were employed in working up towards Port Discovery, the land being occasionally hidden. from view by dense fogs, although the sun was frequently visible whilst at any altitude. Not being able to obtain an anchorage, and having no chart of the Strait, the ship was kept under easy sail all night. At noon of 30th we were off Point Dungeness, on which we could plainly see the "poles " spoken of by Vancouver, which are used by the natives in spreading their nets to catch wild fowl, during the winter season. After some difficulty in consequence of the lightness of the wind we entered the western channel into Port Discovery, having for our guide a survey made by the officers of the America. The flood assisting us we picked up an anchorage in 28 fathoms, being about seven miles from Protection Island. On the following morning the ship was taken further up this noble harbour, and anchored off the Watering Point; a small stream running down from the woods, enabled us to procure about thirty tons. An opportunity was taken of making up a party to visit Protection Island, which is described in very glowing terms by the circumnavigator. The result of this trip fully justified his description, the centre of the island being a most beautiful lawn, covered with grass of a luxuriant growth, intermingled with "golden cups" and daises, hyacinths and clover. The trees studding its margin were principally fir and sycamore; gooseberry and currant-bushes in abundance, and the wild strawberry plant throwing out its tender runners in every direction. The only bird of |