F. W. Green, Esq., said every one connected with shipping must be aware of the great disadvantage sailors laboured under in not having a home to go to on the termination of their voyages. He anticipated all would cordially agree in promoting the carrying out of so desirable a scheme; and he, therefore, begged to move that this meeting, having heard the statements of Capt. Hall, think it highly desirable to establish a Sailors' Home at this port.

Mr. John Edwards seconded the motion. As an intance of the utility of Sailors' Homes he mentioned the case of a sailor who was with him when he commanded a vessel. This young man had learnt to read and write at the Sailors' Home, and, finding him attentive to his duties, he (Mr. Edwards) taught him navigation, and that young man was now the captain of a ship in this port. Too long had it been said of the sailor

"Where he goes, and how he fares,

No one knows, and no one cares."

He hoped this stain would be wiped from Bristol, and that it would no longer be said that her citizens cared nought for poor Jack. The resolution having been unanimously adopted.

R. Bright, Esq., moved the appointment of a committee for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions, &c., to carry out the foregoing resolution. He thought it quite time that something of the kind was done; and that as it was a question of benevolence and charity, it affected not merely the merchant and shipowner, but the general public, who he hoped would come forward and liberally support it.

Wm. Cook, Esq., seconded the resolution.

Mr. J. G. Powell said, before the resolution was put to the meeting, he wished to say a few words, and he claimed the liberty of doing so as a right, first, because he had been invited to attend, and secondly, because he was a sailor's son. He liked practical men and practical measures, and when a committee was proposed he felt bound to address a few words to them, because he had the honor, eighteen months or two years ago, of proposing a similar committee at a meeting held at the Royal Western Hotel, which was equally as well attended as at the present, and at which Mr. P. F. Aiken presided. Capt. Hall had talked about building a Sailors' Home, but he believed if they wished to carry out the project, they could begin at once without having recourse to building at all, since there were abundance of places which would suit for a temporary purpose, until the matter was more fully matured. With regard to the abominable character of the lodging-houses in this city, he could, from his own knowledge, most fully corroborate the statement of Capt. Fisher, that they were of the worst character. Capt. Hall had said that at Falmouth there was no place for the sick, but in Bristol he was happy to say there was an infirmary and an hospital where every care was taken of sailors, as well as other persons who might happen to be ill. Then came the question of religion. He trusted when they appointed the committee-which he sincerely hoped they would do that they would avoid splitting upon the rock that the former committee did. He spoke now in the presence of Lieut. Wood

and others who were upon that committee, and he would say that it was not enough for the porter to be instructed to show a member of the Free Kirk of Scotland or any other creed, the place where his particular sect met, but it was necessary that the committee itself should avoid allowing any sectarian differences it interfere with the object they had in view. The former committee had differed upon the point as to what should be the religion of the superintendent, and hence they came to nothing. He was sincerely desirous to see the establishment of a Sailors' Home, and for this reason he merely threw out this suggestion in order that it might serve as a warning to the committee about to be appointed. He should not have said a word but that there was the fact that the other committee, selected at a meeting as unanimous, and far more numerous than the present, had come to nothing, merely because they could not agree upon this one point. Fine speeches at public meetings signified nothing; what they wanted was particular measures, and he hoped therefore, the committee would allow no petty differences betwixt themselves to destroy the object they had in view.

Capt. Hall briefly explained that he had no wish to commence building. He was satisfied there were many places to be had in Bristol, which, with a little alteration, would make capital Sailors' Homes. The resolution was then put and carried nem. con.

C. Hill, Esq., read the names of a number of gentlemen who should be elected as a committee to carry out the measures necessary for the establishment of a Sailors' Home. He had long wished that something of the kind should be commenced, and he was glad that circumstances now appeared to be favourable. He was sure it would prove a great blessing to the sailor, because it would be putting him in a position to acquire useful knowledge, and would offer him a comfortable and safe retreat from the dangers to which he was continually exposed. He should be most happy to do all he could to assist so desirable an object. William Patterson, Esq., seconded the resolution.

Mr. Rowe before the resolution was put wished to make a few observations in reference to what had fallen from Mr. Powell. The committee to which he referred had not proved ineffectual from the cause named. It had not, however been dropped entirely, for the committee of the Bethel ship, comprising men of all creeds, were most anxious to see such an institution established, and a short time ago had asked him to collect information on the subject of Sailors' Homes with the view of commencing one on a small scale themselves. He had no doubt that the committee would be glad to co-operate with the one just appointed. It was desirable the public should know the sum likely to be required to set the thing afloat, and he therefore had calculated that a suitable building might be obtained at a rental of £100; the cost of fitting it up would amount perhaps to between £200 and £300; and for persons employed in connection with it say £200 more. So that supposing they had £500, they would be in a fair position to start for twelve months, reckoning the money received from the sailors for board, &c., as sufficient to supply the institution with food.

NO. 1.-VOL. XXI.

F

After a few words from Mr. H. A. Palmer, the resolution was put and unanimously adopted.

The Chairman said, the real business of the meeting was now to be done: they wanted some money to begin with, and it was proposed to commence the subscription at once. He should have much pleasure in putting down his name for £50-(cheers.)

The subscription list was then handed round the room, and in the course of a few minutes the Chairman announced the gratifying intelligence that the donations amounted to £270; and the annual subscription to £35. He was afraid Mr. Rowe's estimate of the sum required was much too low, and this might perhaps interfere with the subscriptions. He should be better pleased if they could start with £1000, and an annual subscription of from £50 to £100, and in a city like this he saw no difficulty in the matter. In a short time it was to be hoped it would become self-supporting.

Mr. Ford said he had spoken to several gentlemen on the subject of the meeting, who, although unable to be present, had manifested a lively interest in it, and had procured pecuniary assistance.

It was then moved, seconded, and carried, that Messrs. Ford, Rowe, and Edwards, be a sub-committee to collect subscriptions, &c., and to report progress at their earliest convenience.

P. W. S. Miles, Esq., M.P., and R. BRIGHT, Esq., were then elected the president and vice-president of the proposed Institution; and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

We understand that the sum received in donations now amounts to upwards of £300; and the annual subscriptions have increased to £50. [We propose keeping this important subject before us, and therefore invite communications upon it.-Ed.]

THE HASTINGS AND SPHINX HURRICANE of the 30th of September, and 1st of October in the China Sea.

[The following are instructive accounts of the same hurricane encountered by H.M.S. Hastings and Sphinx in the China Sea, and communicated to this journal by the Board of Admiralty. It will be seen on considering the changes of the wind, experienced by both ships, that the focus passed to the northward of them on its westerly course, and as these storms seldom cross the China Sea southward of south west, when the Hastings had her first storm wind at N.N.W., (noon of 30th,) and the Sphinx hers at north-west, had both ships stood out of their course, S. E. or E.S.E., the focus would have passed still further from them. That it approached them rapidly is evident, and accounted for by both standing to north-east. But the dangerous shoals of the China Sea, being to the southward required much caution in making any southing, and a useful lesson is thus afforded of how best to avoid the focus of a hurricane on one hand, and a navigation rendered dangerous by shoals on the other. The seaman who is conversant with the subject will readily see this on constructing the figure for himself, as indeed all seamen should do.—ED.]

H.M.S. Hastings, Hong-Kong, 15th October, 1851. SIR.-In compliance with your Excellency's memorandum of the 31st instant, I have the honour to inform you that, on the 30th ultimo, Her

Majesty's ship under my command, (while on her passage from Singapore to Hong-Kong, in company with H.M. steam vessel Sphinx), encountered a typhoon in the China Sea.

The weather up to 4 A.M. of the 30th, had been generally fine, and the barometer was then standing 29.67; after that hour it was observed to be gradually falling, the weather becoming squally, with a thin haze and a low rapid scud.

At noon, she was in lat. 12° 20' N., and long. 113° 35' E., under double reefed top-sails and main-top-gallant-sail, on the port tack, standing N.E., with the wind N.N.W., barometer 29.61. The weather overcast with squalls and rain. At 1h. 30m. P.M., under close reefed topsails and courses;-struck fore and mizen-top-gallant-masts.

2h. P.M., the barometer had fallen to 29.46 the weather overcast and squally.

6h. P.M., barometer 29.10, the force of the wind rapidly increasing, furled the main-sail, fore and mizen-top-sails, sent top-gallant-yards and masts down on deck, got small-sails out of the rigging and tops, and unbent the jib.

6h. 30m. P.M., lost sight of Sphinx.

7h. P.M., furled the fore-sail, double breeched the guns, and secured them with hawsers; 8h. 45m. clewed up main-top-sail which was soon blown away from the fourth reef; 9h. 30m., the wind shifted to W.S.W. blowing a heavy gale, force 10; the weather was overcast with violent squalls and heavy rain.

10h. P.M., the spare jib-boom was washed away from the main chains. 10h. 30m. P.M., carried away jib-boom and starboard bumpkin. 11h. P.M., a few flashes of lightning, with heavy rain, force of wind (10).

11h. 10m. P.M., blew away main-stay-sail and hauled down the fore; (ship under bare poles).

Midnight, wind south, force 11; barometer standing 28.91.

Oct. 1st., 2h. A.M., wind south-west, force from 11 to 12; barometer 29-93; aneriod 28-68-(the course of the typhoon supposed to be passing) 4h. A.M., wind S.W.b.S., force 10; barometer 29.92, aneroid 28-82. 5h. 30m., A.M., first gig washed away from the davits.

8h. A.M., wind south, force 9 to 10; barometer 29.29; heavy squalls and rain with a short heavy sea-up runners and tackles.

10h. A.M., barometer 29.45; squalls and rain. Noon, wind south, force 8, squalls moderating; barometer 29.45.

2h. P.M., wind S.S.E., force 7; bore up and made sail to close reefed fore-top-sail, and fore and main-stay-sails; standing N.N.E.; barometer 29.41.

5h. P.M., bent and set close-reefed main-top-sail.

6h. P.M., wind S.S. W., force 6.

8h. P.M., wind S. E., force 5.; barometer 29.64.

Oct. 2nd. 2h. A.M., wind E.S. E., force 5; barometer 29.70.

8h. A.M., made sail to top-sails and courses. From this hour the wind remained E.S.E. until 8h. P.M., when it fell dead calm; the weather continuing cloudy. Barometer 29.80.

The calm lasted six hours, after which a light breeze sprung up from the northward.

To His Excellency, Rear-Admiral C. J. Austin, C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief.

Her Majesty's Steam Sloop Sphinx,
Hong-Kong, Oct. 5th, 1851.

SIR.I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty's steam sloop under my command, left Singapore at 11 A.M., on the 24th September, in company with His Excellency the Rear Admiral Commander-in Chief, to proceed to this place. On the 25th at noon, it being then nearly calm, we took the Hastings in tow, and towed her for two hundred and thirty-five miles till 7 A.M. on the 27th, when the wind being fair from south-west we cast her off, and kept company with her under easy steam and sail.

On the afternoon of the 29th the wind which had previously been W.S.W., backed wind to N.W. and N.; at daylight on the 30th the Hastings being on a wind, and the Sphinx's square sails bagging her to leeward, they were furled, and anticipating shortly a stiff north-east monsoon, the top-gallant-masts and yards were sent on deck.

At noon the barometer was still high 30-07, the weather looking a little unsettled, wind N.W., lat. 20° 20′ north, long. 113° 36' east. In the afternoon the mizen-top-mast was struck and jib-boom housed, wind inclined to freshen; Hastings in company, a mile to windward; proceeded to reduce sail and house top-gallant-masts.

We lost sight of Hastings at 6h. PM.; she was, when last seen, furling fore and main top-sails.

From this time the barometer began to fall rapidly, and the typhoon, for such from its extreme violence and decidedly revolving character I conceive I am justified in calling it, commenced in earnest. Wind N.W.

Soon after seven o'clock the inner jib-stay blew away; the gig was washed away from the stern about the same time. The fore and main top-sails which had been reefed at quarters, were both split at 8h. P.M.

At 10h. P.M., the typhoon was raging furiously; wind W.S.W. At 10h. 45m. the port cutter was overwhelmed by the sea, and washed away; at 11h. the starboard cutter shared the same fate.

About the same time the wind suddenly lulled suspiciously for a few moments, and then shifting to the S. W., blew again with equal fury.

Perceiving that we were in the south-eastern quadrant of the storm, my object was to get away towards the eastward, we therefore endeavoured to keep her head E.N.E. At 1h. 30m. the ship was taken by the sea and headed West, all our efforts to get her head round were unsuccessful, and she remained on this course, and therefore pursuing the force of the gale till daylight, when a momentary lull and shift of wind enabled us to put her head the right way again.

At 1h. 45m., my private wherry, stowed on the port quarter, shared the same fate as the ship's boats and was washed away.

At 2h. 20m., the starboard after-broadside gun which had been secured in the position of extreme training, muzzle forward, was moved