NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW LIGHTHOUSE ON BASS HARBOR HEAD, MAINE.

A new lighthouse is now in course of construction on Bass Harbor Head, the eastern side of the entrance to Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine. The tower is cylindrical, built of brick, is 21 feet high, will be painted white, and the lantern will be painted black. The dwelling house will be of wood, and with the walk connecting it with the work-room of the tower will be painted brown. The illuminating apparatus will be a catadioptric lens of the 5th order of the system of Fresnel, showing a fixed red light. The focal plane will be 26 feet above the ground, and 56 feet above the level of the sea, and the light should be seen in ordinary states of the atmosphere, from the deck of a vessel, 13 nautical miles. The approximate position as given by the best authorities that can be obtained is-Latitude, 44° 14′ 30′′ north; longitude, 68° 23′ 10′′ west of Greenwhich. The following magnetic bearings and distances have been taken from the lighthouse-York's Narrows, W. S., 7 miles; Little Duck Island, S. E. S., 5 miles; Long Ledge Buoy, E. by S., 3 miles; Edgemoggin Lighthouse, N. W. 4 W., 10 miles. The light will be lighted for the first time at sunset on Wednesday, the 1st of September next, and will be kept burning during every night thereafter from sunset to sunrise. By order of the Lighthouse Board, W. B. FRANKLIN, Secretary.

WASHINGTON, May 20, 1858.

CARYSFORT REEF-DRY BANK AND SAND KEY LIGHTHOUSES.

It having been represented to this office that mariners navigating the Elorida Pass from Sand Key to Cape Elorida are frequently at a loss, during daylight, to determine whether they are on the Bahama or Elorida reefs side, with the view to obviate that difficulty as far as possible, orders have been issued to the keepers of the Sand Key, Dry Bank, (off Sombrero Key.) and Carysfort Reef lighthouses to hoist an American flag from a flagstaff above the lantern at each of these lighthouses on and after the 1st day of July next, (1858,) and keep it hoisted every day thereafter from sunrise to sunset. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON, May 15, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

LIGHT-VESSEL IN ST. IVES BAY--ENGLAND, WEST COAST. Official information has been received at this office, that the Corporation of the Trinity House of London have given notice that a light-vessel has been moored about midway in the channel or sound between Godrevy Island and the rocks called the Stones, leading into St. Ives Bay, on the western coast of Cornwall. The light is a white revolving light, showing a bright face or flash every 15 seconds, and will be exhibited all night until further notice. The vessel lies in 9 fathoms depth of water, with the summit of Godrevy Island bearing S. by W., St. Ives pierhead light, W. by S., and the northeastern extremity of the Stones, N. N. W. † W. CAUTION.-Mariners are cautioned that, this light-vessel, being placed in the channel to the southward of the Stones, ships passing outside of these rocks are not to approach within 1 mile of her.

BLACK BUOY OFF THE STONES.

Also, that a black buoy has been placed to the northward of the Stones, in 8 fathoms water, with Gwythian church in line with the tide rock or southernmost stone; Lelant church in line with Hevah rock, S. S. W. 4 W., and Lethegga rock on the main shore in line with the northernmost stone, S. E. The bearings are maguetic. Variation 24° west in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

NEEDLES LIGHTHOUSE, ISLE OF WIGHT.

Official information has been received at this office that the tower in course of erection on one of the Outer Needles Rocks, being in a state of forwardness, the light will be exhibited therefrom on or about the 1st January, 1859, when the light at present shown from the tower on the cliff will be discontinued. The light will burn at an elevation of 80 feet above the level of high water, and will appear as a fixed red light, from S. E. S. round westward to N. E. by E E., excepting between the following points, viz:-W. † N. and N. W. by W. ¿ W., in which direction it will appear as a fixed white light. Mariners are to observe, that the white light will be shown in the direction above defined, for the purpose of clearing two miles to the southward of Durlestone Head in 14 fathoms; and also of clearing the Dolphin Bank and S. W. Shingles in 4 and 5 fathoms respectively. All the above bearings are by compass. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON, May 19, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

BUOYS IN THE RIVER TAY-SCOTLAND, EAST COAST.

Official information has been received at this office, that the Corporation of the Fraternity of Masters and Seamen in Dundee have given notice, that in adopting a general system in coloring the buoys under their direction,-by which arrangement vessels entering a harbor should keep red buoys on the starboard hand, and black buoys on the port hand, while chequered buoys indicate center dangers, the following changes in the colors of the undermentioned buoys in the river Tay will be made on or about the 15th of July, 1858:Fairway buoy, from black to red and black, horizontally, with Tay Fairway painted on it in white letters. New Shoal buoy, from green to red, with New Shoal in black letters. Gaa Sand buoys, numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, from black and white, chequered, to red, the numbers to be painted in black. Lady buoy, from black and white, chequered, to red. Horseshoe buoy, from black and white, chequered, to red. Abertay Sand buoys, numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, from red to black, the figures to be in white. By order of the Lighthouse Board, THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary. WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

CHANGE IN POSITION OF SURINAM LIGHT-Vessel.

WEST INDIES, COAST OF GUIANA.

With reference to the notice to mariners issued from this office, dated April 14, 1858, the Colonial Government of Dutch Guiana has given notice, that it has been found necessary to move the light-vessel recently placed at the entrance of the river Surinam farther out, north, 4 English miles; and she now lies in 4 fathoms at low water, with Bram Point bearing S. S. E. E., distant 9 miles. Eastern extreme of land, E. S. E. E. Outer buoy, south, westerly. Approaching from the eastward in 4 fathoms along the coast, in clear weather, the light will be seen; but in coming from the northward, soundings of 4 fathoms will be obtained for some time before sighting it. These bearings are magnetic. Variation 1° 45′ E. in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board, THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary. WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE--ENGLAND, SOUTH COAST.

Official information has been received at this office, that the Corporation of the Trinity House in London has given notice, that with the object of rendering the Eddystone lighthouse more distinctly visible during the daytime, the tower is about to be colored red and white in alternate horizontal bands. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

BASS STRAIT, AUSTRALIA.

FLASHING LIGHT ON CAPE SCHANCK.

Official information has been received at this office, that a lighthouse is in course of erection on Cape Schanck, the southern extremity of the peninsula separating Port Phillip from Port Western, on the south coast of Australia. The light will be a fixed white light, varied by short eclipses, placed at an elevation of 328 feet above the sea, and should be visible in clear weather at a distance of 23 miles. The light will probably be exhibited early in the year 1859; of which due notice will be given.

FIXED LIGHT ON WILSON PROMONTORY.

Also, that a light will be established on Wilson Promontory, the southernmost point of the Australian continent, Bass Strait. This light will be fixed, white, placed at 324 feet above the level of the sea, and should be visible from a distance of about 20 miles in clear weather. It will probably be exhibited early in the year 1859; of which due notice will be given.

ROCK OFF CURTIS ISLAND.

The English vessel Clarendon, on the 2d of December, 1857, whilst in a heavy sea off the coast of Curtis Island, Bass Strait, at half tide, struck on a sunken rock, from which the highest part of Curtis Island bore W. by S., and the inner Sugar Loaf rock, S. W. by S., distant 3 miles, No soundings were taken, but it is said that the rock was seen, and supposed to be about 15 yards in circumference, with 10 feet water over it.

CAPE FRANKLAND ROCK, FLINDERS ISLAND.

Captain Denham, of H. M. surveying vessel Herald, has reported that the rock hitherto placed in the Admiralty Charts at 2 miles to the westward of Cape Frankland, on the northwest side of Flinders Island, at the eastern entrance of Bass Strait, is found to be upwards of 4 miles in the same direction from the cape. The rock, which is awash at half tide, and shows 5 feet above low water, lies in latitude 39° 52′ 2′′ S., longitude 147° 41' 11" east of Greenwhich, with Cape Frankland, E. by N. easterly 4 miles, and the hill (513 feet) on the north part of Hummock Island, S. E. S., nearly 11 miles. It is about 10 yards in diameter, steep-to on the seaward side, but having a projection to the eastward for nearly one-third of a mile, with 5 and 6 fathoms over it, from the extremity of which the weed rises to within 2 fathoms of the surface. Sister Islands apparently open a sail's breadth of Flinders Island, bearing N. E., lead outside the rock; and Chappell Island mount, its breadth open of Hummock Island, S. E. by S., leads through the fairway between the rock and Cape Frankland. All bearings magnetic. Varation 10° E. in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board, THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

FIXED LIGHTS IN KING GEORGE SOUND--AUSTRALIA, SOUTH COAST. Official information has been received at this office, that since the 1st of Jan.. 1858, a light has been established on Breaksea Island, at the entrance of King George Sound, on the south coast of Western Australia. The light is a fixed white light, placed at an elevation of 384 feet above the sea at high water, illuminating all round the compass, and visible in clear weather from a distance of 25 miles seaward between Bald Head and Cape Vancouver, the foot of Mount Gardner, or the bearings E. by N. and S. W. W. The illuminating apparatus is dioptric, or by lenses, of the third order. The light-tower is of iron, rising from the center of the keeper's dwelling, and the whole 43 feet high. It stands on the summit of the island, 1,200 yards within its eastern extremity, in latitude 35° 4′ 18′′ S.; longitude 118° 3' 20" east of Greenwhich. When approaching King George Sound from the westward, the mariner is cautioned that although

the light may be occasionally seen, it does not become fairly open until bearing N. E. N.; and it should not be steered for until bearing N. N. E. & E., when the vessel will be to the eastward of the Maude and Vancouver reefs. The light also will be hidden to a vessel passing north of Michaelmas Island.

FIXED LIGHT AT PRINCESS ROYAL HARBOR.

Also, that from the same date a harbor light has been exhibited from Point King, the northern bluff of the narrow entrance to Princess Royal Harbor, King George Sound. This light is fixed, white, 37 feet above high water, and should be visible in clear weather, through the approaches to the harbor, from a distance of 10 miles. The illuminating apparatus is of the fifth order. The lighthouse is a small wooden square tower, 17 feet high, with the keeper's dwelling attached, and presents the appearance of a cottage. It stands on the edge of the point, W. N. W. W., 7 miles from Breaksea Island lighthouse, and in latitude 35° 2' 35" S.. longitude 117° 55′ 12′′ east of Greenwhich. All bearings are magnetic. Varation 54 west in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary,

FIXED LIGHT WITH FLASHES ON CAPE BUSTO-ATLANTIC, COAST OF SPAIN. Official information has been received at this office, that the Minister of Marine at Madrid has given notice, that on and after the 1st of April, 1858, a light would be exhibited from a lighthouse on Cape Busto, Bay of Biscay, in the province of Oviedo, Asturias. The light is a fixed white light, varied by red flashes every 2 minutes, placed at an elevation of 311 English feet above the level of the sea, and should be visible in clear weather from a distance of 12 miles. The illuminating apparatus is dioptric, or by lenses, of the third order. The lighthouse consists of a rectangular building, with a decagon tower rising from the center, and the whole is colored white. It stands on the extreme point of the cape, in latitude 43° 36' 10" N., longitude 6° 28′ 48′′ east of Greenwhich, according to the latest Spanish position given.

SHOAL IN AROSA BAY.

Also, that a shoal has been discovered off Barbafeita Point, on the island of Arosa, in Arosa Bay, Finisterre. The shoal, which is about 20 yards in diameter, with an irregular surface, and a least depth of 12 feet upon it at low water springs, lies with Barbafeita Point S. by E. easterly, 3 cables' lengths; Campelo Point E. by S., and the outermost point of Pedregosa Island, S. by W. It is steep-to on the outside, and there are 4 and 5 fathoms between it and Barbafeita Point. The bearings are magnetic. Variation 23° west in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

FIXED RED LIGHT ON FORMICHE ISLET--MEDITERRANEAN, SICILY. Official information has been received at this office that the Sicilian governmens has given notice that on and after the 1st of March, 1858, a light will be exhibited from the northeast point of the tower on the larger of the two Formiche Islets, off Trapani, west coast of Sicily.

The light will be a fixed red light, placed at an elevation of 85 feet above the sea, and should be visible in clear weather at a distance of 10 miles. The lighttower stands in latitude 38° 00′ 46′′ N., longtude 12° 29' 00" E. of Greenwich. By order of the Lighthouse Board,

WASHINGTON CITY, March 3, 1858.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary.

JOURNAL OF INSURANCE.

MUTUAL MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

Name of Company. Assets.

year.

previous
year.

in the last
year.

Losses Commiss'ns,

paid returned

and adjusted premis, re

in the last insurance year. & expenses.

Atlantic Mutuala $4,071,304 $3,682,583 $1,438,889 $3,942,812 $2,616,983 $527,111 719,256 760,127 215,012 749,224 *530,096 118,136

Commer.

639

108,333 262,782

Mercantile " b.

95,005 58,662

Orient Mutual e.

1,144,793

661,231

302,001

786,743

389,733 214,838

Since our last synopsis of marine companies was published, the following named companies have gone into liquidation, viz. :--Atlas Mutual, Astor Mutual, Globe Mutual, and International Fire and Marine; and a new company has been established, namely, the Columbian, which commenced in 1857.

a After receiving $1,700,000 of profits, the company pays off 50 per cent of certificates of 1856. Total profits for 15 years, $7,657,420, of which $5,464,190 paid off in cash.

The dividends of 7 per cent per annum and 7 per cent, were payable in cash on February 5th, 1858.

c This statement embraces only about three months of 1857; the time for closing the present year was extended to July 1st, and the scrip was recalled to be reduced 70 per cent.

d Net earned premium was $24,828, which was reserved and no dividend made.

e. Profit of the year was $161,215 24, being 234 per cent.

f Net profits were $152,216 75.

g All the unredeemed scrip of 1851 paid in cash, and $78,219 added to reserved capital, which, thereby, exceeds $1,200,000.

h Seven-and-a-half per cent on premium notes reserved as a fund to meet losses on same. Net profits were $153,740 19.

This amount includes expenses.