THE ST. GEOEGE'S CHANNEL. 473 



The weather is often very thick on Nymph Bank, with the wind from 

 the Southward and N.W. quarter, and the Tuskar is, consequently, very 

 difficult to make. The Smalls and Tuskar, on the opposite sides of the 

 channel, when seen in this thick weather, have often been mistaken for a 

 large sloop with a peaked gaff- topsail set. No vessel should run with con- 

 fidence up St. George's Channel without previously seeing one or other of 

 the lighthouses on these rocks, or the land in the vicinity, as the tides are 

 hereabout very strong, and hidden dangers abound near both, as shown 

 by the charts. To the Eastward of Nymph Bank the weather generally 

 becomes a little clearer than upon it. 



The course may be safely altered when the Tuskar bears North, and an 

 allowance of one point or more must be made for the direction of the wind, 

 particularly if blowing from the N.W. quarter, as this wind not only in- 

 creases the indraught into Cardigan and Carnarvon Bays, but it throws 

 a heavy sea upon the whole line of the coast of Wales Northward of St. 

 David's Head. 



In running from the Smalls toward Holyhead, it is, at all times, advisa- 

 ble to steer a point or more to the Northward of the direct course, unless 

 there is Easting in the wind ; and should Holyhead or the South Stack 

 Lighthouse be made upon a bearing to the Northward of N.E. by E. f E., 

 the course should be altered a little, to bring it upon this bearing, other- 

 wise the vessel may find some difficulty in weathering it upon an ebb-tide, 

 if the wind should come out from the N.W. quarter, as there is a strong 

 set (along the land) to the Southward into Carnarvon Bay. 



The island or rock called the South Stack, distinguished by its light- 

 house, is very bold, but, with light wind and a flood tide, strangers should 

 give it a berth of 3 or 4 miles, as there is much danger of being set inside 

 tht Skerries, if this is not attended to. In light winds and a flood tide, 

 steer well to the Northward, until the Skerries bear about E. by N., then 

 gradually edge away to the Eastward, until the lighthouse bears about 

 E. by S., distant 2 miles, when the flood tide, with a very little assistance 

 from the wind, will carry a vessel safely to the Northward of it. 



The Skerries may be approached by a stranger, on the North side, within 

 a mile ; and when the lighthouse bears S. by W., steer E. by N. 2 miles, 

 and East 1 mile, or until the upper beacon on Carmel Point comes open to 

 the Eastward of the lower one, when the vessel will be clear to the East- 

 ward of Ethel and Coal Eocks. On proceeding thence, with a Southerly 

 wind, give a small berth to the Middle Mouse, a large rock always above 

 water, and very bold. On steering thence toward Point Lynas, take par- 

 ticular care not to shut up the light if it be in the night. Should the light 

 happen to be shut up, instantly run to the Northward or N.N.E. until it 

 opens, and heave-to or stand off and on for a pilot, about 4 or 5 miles to 

 the Eastward of the light, or between it and Great Ormes Head. 



In thick weather, after passing the Skerries, and at night if the light 

 cannot be seen, great caution is requisite, in order to avoid Coal Eock, and 

 keep clear of the ebb tide running through the sound ; for, upon an ebb tide, 

 the land between Point Lynas and the Skerries must not be approached 

 within 3 or 4 miles without a commanding and favourable breeze. 

 N. A. 0. 61 



