474 HYDROGRAPHICAL SURVEYING [chap. xxi. 



The 5-cwt. pattern sinkers (a), even when backed up by 

 a small boat's anchor, have been found to drag unexpectedly; 

 whilst the larger sized anchors (6) have, with the lapse of time, 

 generally proved unsuitable owing to the mooring chain in- 

 evitably becoming entwined round the upturned fluke or arm 

 of the stock, and consequently tripping the anchor. 



Anchors — Stockless. — It is proposed in future to employ 

 stockless anchors of 3 to 4 cwt. (Byers' Patent Stockless 

 Anchors, 4 cwt., are the best type), now generally adopted in 

 the Service, as likely to give the best results. An extended 

 trial with the Byers stockless anchors in the season of 1914 

 proved them to be very satisfactory. 



A weight approximating to 250 pounds should be attached 

 to the heel of the beacon spar in such a manner as will offer 

 the least chance of fouling the moorings, and thus prevent the 

 moorings canting the beacon spar. 



The hydrographic pattern of 40 pounds galvanised ballast, 

 with shackles, may be conveniently used as heel- weights. 

 They can be supported by the one large shackle that is suppHed, 

 the pin of which is passed through the heel of the pole and 

 securely moused. 



To facilitate ready recognition and identification of each 

 beacon from a distance, it is very desirable that each should 

 be marked with large-sized numeral figures, painted in black or 

 white, and occujDying the full width of the cross-piece, top 

 and bottom. Each beacon is further distinguished by a 

 number of large-sized broad arrows cut on the top and bottom 

 pieces for a dei^th of I inch, together with metal tally -plates, 

 with the name of the ship stamped on each tally, which latter 

 is nailed to the cross-piece. This affords an additional means 

 of recovery should the beacon be salved by fishing-vessels or 

 by a stranger. 



Tally-plates are also attached to the moorings, whilst the gal- 

 vanised chain is marked at every 5 fathoms with a broad arrow. 



Beacon Flags. — Approximately 15 feet in breadth along 

 the staff and about 12 feet in length. Of special strengthened 

 calico material of superior quality, made of variegated colours, 

 sewn in horizontal widths of black and red, with occasionally 

 a white strip. The darker colours are generally the more easily 

 distir.guished. 



