Sombrero key, 36 feet high; barrel; braces 25 feet long. Love key, 38 feet high; barrel; braces 22 feet long; leans somewhat to he east. West Sambo, 35 feet high; barrel; braces 25 feet long. Sand key, (astronomical station,) 36 feet high; barrel; braces 26 feet ong; the sides recently boarded up by Lieutenant Rodgers. Eastern dry rocks, near Sand Key triangle point; 18 feet poles. Middle Ground, also near Sand Key triangle point; 22 feet poles; the ast and west sides boarded up. Very respectfully yours, A. D. BACHE, Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey. Hon. W. M. MEREDITH, Secretary of the Treasury. APPENDIX No. 21. Extract from a letter from Lieutenant Commanding James Alden, United States navy, assistant in the coast survey, to the Superintend ent, in relation to a light-house on Sea-horse key, Florida. COAST SURVEY STEAMER WALKER, Pensacola, May 27, 1850. There is a long and very dangerous shoal extending out some eight r ten miles from Sea horse key, (the outer one of the keys of this roup,) in a southwest by south direction, and I am told that vessels ound to the northward, during the prevalence of northers, frequently nchor under it for protection. This shoal is laid down on most of the harts, but to make it more available as a harbor of refuge, as well as to yarn vessels of their proximity to danger, I am of opinion that a light hould be placed, as soon as practicable, on Sea-horse key. With great respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant, Professor A. D. BACHE, Superintendent Coast Survey. APPENDIX No. 22. etters and reports relating to the stranding of the steamer Hetzel, near Cape Canaveral, and her subsequent relief, &c. 1. Letter of Lieutenant Commanding John Rodgers, United States ary, assistant coast survey, communicating to the Superintendent the rcumstances of the stranding of the Hetzel, with reply of Superintendent 2. Abstract of log of steamer Hetzel from February 9 to February 28, 1850, with extract from report of Lieutenant Commanding Rodgers, from Indian river. 3. Letter of the superintendent to Lieutenant Commanding John Rode ers, March 28, 1850, in regard to the stranding of the Hetzel, and he subsequent relief, returning thanks to the officers and crew for their exer tions, and especially to Lieutenant W. Shields, Acting Master W. G Temple, and Second Assistant Engineer Thomas Killpatrick, named by Lieutenant Commanding Rodgers in his report. 4. Report of Lieutenant Wilmer Shields to Lieutenant Commanding Rodgers in regard to repairs found necessary to hull, boilers, and engine of steamer Hetzel, and made under his direction at New Orleans. Extract from the letter of Lieutenant Commanding Rodgers enclosing the foregoing, and returning thanks to Lieutenant Shields. No. (1.) U. S. STEAMER HETZEL, Cape Canaveral, February 14, 1850. DEAR SIR: I regret to inform you that the Hetzel was driven ashore upon the beach of this place, on the night of 7th instant, at half-past 11 o'clock. The wind at the time was moderate from the southeast-so moderate that I did not have up steam. A light swell came on, and another anche: was let go; immediately, afterwards the principal chain parted and we dragged the other anchor to the shore; a gale subsequently arose and forced us high upon the beach. When the chain gave way the water was already hot in the boiler from previous use; the fires were immediately lighted, but too late for any useful purpose. No one was hurt, and everything was safely landed. Fortunately for myself, in hauling in the part of the chain which re mained we recovered the broken link; it was welded only about one sixth c its diameter. In looking at the event it may seem that steam should have been upo: the vessel to ordinary discretion it was not needed. With lighted fires, but without using the engine, I had ridden by the same chain to stronger winds and greater swells. I knew that this particular service was dangerous; I was most anxious to finish it quickly, yet I was not willing to consume the fuel I had al lotted to it, without apparent necessity. Every dangerous service supposes that a certain amount of risk is to be encountered; and where an ordinary degree of faith in his means is neces sary to carrying out his instructions, until his means shall seem insuffi cient, the officer is bound to give that faith. To have kept up stear without apparent cause would have consumed the fuel in guardin against accident; it would have left none for service; it would have bee a practical nullification of your instructions to me. I was out on deck a short time before the accident to look at the weather. Soon after Lieutenant Shields came to me and reported a slight well, and asked whether he should let go the other anchor; I said yes. He returned to the deck and had obeyed the order, when the principal chain gave way. The remaining anchor was a very slight one; it proved unable to hold us. We were in the best anchorage, ready to get up fires at any moment; we could have had steam in half an hour before a gale, with common warning, could have arisen. The chain appeared to be a good one; it was my duty to suppose it so, unless cause should arise to think otherwise. The master had examined it on the day of our arrival here, and found no flaws. We had rode to it in worse weather. I had reason to think the chain a good one-it proved bad. Whether we shall get off remains uncertain. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN RODGERS, Lieutenant Commanding, and Assistant Coast Survey. To A. D. BACHE, LL. D., Superintendent Coast Survey. COAST SURVEY OFFICE, Washington, February 26, 1850. DEAR SIR: Your two letters of February 14, announcing that the Hetzel had been driven ashore, have been received. As I am not yet without hope that you may get the steamer off, I shall wait for the next mail with much anxiety. It is a great relief to hear that no lives have been lost, or injury sustained, by officers and men under such trying circumstances. I rely upon you, of course, to make such arrangements as will best secure the preservation of the movable property, should the vessel be lost; or to take steps for removing the engine and parts belonging, if it can be profitably done. Also to take such measures in regard to disposing of the hull as may be most economical. If I hear that you pursue your intention of coming to Charleston, I shall send one of the sailing vessels of the coast survey to meet you there, that you may pursue your season's work. Remember me to your officers. Under all circumstances I shall take such steps as seem best to preserve all concerned from unjust censure, and to give you such means of continuing your work as are in my power, Yours truly, A. D. BACHE, Superintendent United States Coast Survey. Lieut. Com. JOHN RODGERS, U. S. N., Assistant Coast Survey. No. (2.) CAPE CANAVERAL, February 9, 1850. From 4 to 6, fresh breezes from the southward and eastward, with cloudy weather; at 5 p. m., came to off the light-house with starboard anchor in 2 fathoms water, and veered to 40 fathoms starboard cable. From 6 to 8, fresh breezes from the southward and eastward, and cloudy. From 8 to midnight, moderate winds from the southward and eastward. with thick weather; at 11h. 40 m. let go the port anchor, parted the starboar cable; started fires immediately, but before steam could be got the vess dragged the port-anchor into the beach, where she beat high up with th wind, tide and surf. From midnight to 4 a. m., fresh breezes from th southward and eastward, and cloudy. From 4 to 8, fresh breezes fro the southward and eastward, and cloudy; high and dry on the beach: commenced getting stores, provisions, &c., out of the ship. From 8 meridian, fresh southeast winds and rainy; employed in getting every thing out of the vessel and in building tents on shore. February 10.-Commences with heavy southeast gale and rain; en ployed in getting everything out of the vessel; a heavy surf beating against the vessel. From 4 to 6, wind shifted to the southwest, and par tially clear; parted the two bow hawsers; the vessel swung round, doing. herself much damage; weather moderate, wind southwest, rain and mist; hawsers run out to shore; commenced sweeping for anchor pumping out vessel. From 4 to 8, moderate southwest winds, and cloudy; employed at the pumps, and in sweeping for the anchor; hove in the cable, and with it the broken link, which was welded only abou one sixth of its diameter; caught the lost anchor of another vessel; re pairing engine. February 11.-Wind southwest, light, raining and cloudy to midnight: then west, light and clear; pumping vessel out; anchor planted outside of breakers; kedge run out; steam got up; pumping. February 12.-Wind west, light and clear; pumping and sweeping for anchor. At high water, vessel hove ahead about half her length by steam and anchors; another anchor found by sweeping; used it to back kedge; parted one hawser and stranded another in attempting to get off February 13.-Northeast wind and cloudy, freshening to gale; rain: hawser run out to kedge and anchor; pumping vessel; hove vessel abou. two lengths ahead by steam and hawsers, when one hawser parted; bot-tom of furnace fell out, vessel sagged into the beach; heavy sea; repair ing furnaces; sea breaking entirely over vessel. February 14.-Wind southwest, moderate; rain and cloudy; showers pumping out vessel; tide ebbed and flowed through the vessel's hold. February 15.-Wind southwest, fresh, cloudy and showers; wind west and southwest, fresh, clear; pumping out vessel; hove the vessel upright Steamer Monmouth (belonging to Quartermaster's department, United States army) came in and anchored; received hawser from Monmouth Monmouth weighed Hetzel's anchor, and planted it ahead of the vessel. February 16.-Wind west, fresh, light; clear; northwest, light, clear: pumps kept vessel dry; hawser from Monmouth run out to last found anchor. February 17.-Wind northwest; northwest and southwest; clear, pleas ant; rigged and raised pair of shears; unstepped the foremast and got i over the bows, and placed purchases upon it to assist in getting the steamer off; rigged a derrick out of the foremast and got it upright unde the bows; dug the sand from about the vessel; attempt to get the vessel off ineffectual; pumps kept vessel free of water. February 18.-Wind southwest and northwest, light; clear, calm; southeast, moderate, clouds; a line to Indian river fixed preparatory to cutting a road; removing iron, &c., from vessel; water casks taken out to place under bottom of vessel; pumping; another ineffectual attempt to get off at high water. February 19.-Southwest, light, cloudy, and clear; northwest, moderate, clear; pumping; digging away sand; got a heave on the hawser without moving vessel; lifted small bower and carried further out; got a pull of the hawser; vessel appeared to move a little. February 20.-Wind northwest, west and north, light, weather pleasant; jumping; heaving off; got up steam and worked engine; as the vessel began to break ground the water gained on the pumps, and finally put out the fires; preparation to caulk. February 21.-Wind light, southeast and south; weather clear and pleasant; pumped vessel dry; caulked inside. February 22.-Southeast, light, clear, pleasant; pumping, bailing, and caulking; vessel moved; leaking so badly that further attempt to move her was postponed; caulking. February 23.-Wind southeast and south, light, calm and pleasant; north, liglit, clear and pleasant. Pumping and caulking; repairing larboard pump; heaving off at high water, between midnight and 4 a. m. February 24.-Northwest and north, light, clear and calm; southeast, light, clear. Caulking inside. At 3 p. m. began heaving vessel off with hawsers. From 4 to 6 p. m., hove up the port anchor and swung to the starboard anchor and hawser; pumping and bailing; water slowly gaining. Midnight to 4 a. m., fires got up; at 1 hour 30 minutes hove up anchor and got under weigh, standing along the beach. At 6 p. m. water gained so fast on the pumps that it was deemed expedient to beach the steamer. At 8, high and dry on the beach. Pumping and bailing; holes bored on inshore side of vessel to assist in freeing her from water. February 25.-Wind southwest, northeast, southeast, calm; south, weather clear and pleasant. Pumping, bailing and caulking; hawser run out to shore to prevent vessel from swinging off. February 26.-Southeast and south, clear, calm; west and northwest, moderate, clear and pleasant. Planted starboard anchor a little forward of the beam, about 75 fathoms cable out. Caulking, pumping and bailing; steam got up; cast off fasts on shore. February 27.-Wind west, cloudy, calm and pleasant; west, light, clear. Vessel kept dry; carried out anchor and hawser on the bow to assist in hauling off; failed in attempt to get steamer off. Shifting coal, caulking and bailing. February 28.-Wind variable, light. Vessel hove off to her anchors, 6 to 8 p. m.; bailing, 8 p. m. to midnight; hove up anchors, got the boats from shore, stood along land to Indian river. Pumping and bailing; Sounded every fifteen minutes in 8 and 9 fathoms. At 7 a. m. made out land about Indian river; at 8 hours 30 minutes took a pilot and stood in over the bar of Indian river; at 9 a. m. beached the vessel for repairs. From this time, though the vessel leaked very badly, she did not cease to be under entire control. Partial repairs were made and the steamer was taken to Key West; and thence, keeping as near the shore as convenient, to Mobile, and finally to New Orleans, where she was thoroughly repaired. Besides the assistance received from the steamer Monmouth, belonging to the Quartermaster's department, Lieutenant Commanding Rodgers acknowledges the kindness of Captain Jordan, assistant quartermaster |