Dr. Mac Culloch on the Chart of Shetland. 3 



it is to be hoped that it will, ere long, be followed by a nautical 

 survey of all these islands *. 



The present chart is stated to have been drawn up from the 

 observations of Captain Preston, and the latitudes and longi- 

 tudes of Admiral Lowenorn. A recent addition has been made 

 to it, of a very accurate survey of Brassa Sound by Captain 

 Ramage, who has also published a correct chart of Balta Sound, 

 which, however, is not appended to the general chart. Some 

 alterations have also been made in the original chart, down to 

 1820, which are said, in the work, to be " considerable im- 

 provements." These alterations are, however, trifling, and relate 

 to little else than some of the latitudes, and to a correction of 

 the longitude of Brassa; a new scale having been fitted on the 

 old plates, and a rock added, conjecturally, to the east of Fetlar, 

 as the cause of the loss of the Hound sloop, of which the place 

 is, nevertheless, at this moment unknown. 



It is, however, not possible to discover from what authorities 

 the chart has actually been drawn up. It is understood in Shet- 

 land that Captain Preston did not survey the eastern coast, 

 having been drowned while engaged on the west side of the 

 island. It is certain, from internal evidence, that he could not 

 have examined the west side throughout, as the coast from 

 Papa Stour toward the north is exceedingly incorrect. His 



* The Commissioners under whom this elegant building has been 

 erected have doubtless proceeded on the best evidence in choosing thi s 

 place, but the situation is unfortunately too high. In the thick wea- 

 ther so common in Shetland, particularly with easterly winds, this light- 

 house must always be involved in mists and fogs ; and, even ia the 

 ordinary westerly winds, it arrests the flight of the clouds. It is to be feared 

 that the light will frequently be invisible, and particularly when it is most 

 wanted ; and that it will thus become an additional source of danger 

 rather than of security. There is unfortunately no lower point at the 

 southern extremity of these islands where it could have been built, so as 

 to serve the purposes of ships coming from the eastward as well as the 

 westward ; but many seamen give a preference to Moussa Island, as the 

 chief want is that of a night-mark for vessels intending to make Lerwick. 

 Such a light-house, together with a small light on the Nab, would render 

 that harbour accessible even in the darkest night. 



A 2 



