THE ST. GEORGE'S CHANNblL. 469 



running strong ; or they may, upon an ebb tide, get into the vicinity, or 

 perhaps upon, Coal Rock, Ethel Rock, the Skerries, Platters, or other 

 dangers hereabout. By night a red light from the Skerries will point out 

 the position of Coal and Ethel Rocks ; and the main light is obscured 

 over the East Platters. 



Beaumaris is a good harbour for ordinary merchant vessels, into which 

 a Liverpool pilot will conduct them, provided no licensed pilot for the port 

 may be found ; but the Beaumaris pilot-boat is generally cruising off the 

 chops of the bay, between the Ormes Heads and Lynas, or lying at anchor 

 within it. 



Holyhead is also an excellent harbour, fit for the largest vessels, well 

 sheltered by the immense pier or breakwater. 



(&) On taking the Noiith Channel, and rROCEEDiNG thence to 



Tort Island. 



If, after weathering the Hoyle Sands, the wind should be so far to the 

 Southward of West as to enable a vessel to weather the Isle of Man, it may 

 be a matter of consideration whether it be most advisable to go through 

 the North Channel or the South Channel, and this should not be hastily 

 decided on. In the summer months the winds are more variable than in 

 winter, and then it is certainly advisable to choose that passage which is 

 nearest to the destined port, giving the preference to the North Channel if 

 bound to British America, Newfoundland, or the Northern ports of the 

 United States. In winter, the prevalent winds are from S.W. and VV.S.W., 

 and these winds often blow steady for several days. 



Should the North Channel be preferred, with Southerly and S.S.W. to 

 W.S.W. winds (and it should not be attempted with any others that have 

 Westing in them, especially by a stranger), it is advisable to take a 

 departure from the Calf of Man, and steer a direct and mid-channel 

 course, with a careful look-out, as the passage is narrow and the tides 

 very rapid, but running directly through the channel, the flood setting 

 from the Northward toward the Mull of Galloway. With a W.S.W. wind 

 it will be necessary to keep the Irish shore aboard, after passing the two 

 lights on the Maiden Rocks ; or it is possible, in a strong gale from this 

 quarter, that there may be some difficulty in weathering the Isle of Islay. 



The North Channel is well hghted, and has many excellent harbours fit 

 for the largest ships, as Lough Foyle, Belfast Lough, Loch Ryan, Camp- 

 belton, Lamlash, &c., but it is advisable for vessels, if possible, to take 

 those upon the Irish coast, as they can get to sea with Southerly and S.W. 

 winds, when it may be difficult to get away from either Lamlash or 

 Campbelton. 



After passing Tory Island, on which there is now a Signal Station, do 

 aot be too anxious to make Southing, but steer well to the Westward, il 

 possible ; for there is always a very heavy sea and a strong indraught 

 upon the West coast of Ireland, and strong Westerly and W.N.W. gales 

 are very prevalent in the winter. Although there are some excellent 

 harbours in the N.W. of Ireland, they may be considered as inaccessible 

 to a stranger, owing to the great difficulty of procuring a pilot in the 



