42 



^Ir. A. Smith on the Tidal Currents on [Mar. 8, 



spot for the shore observer — of course removed from all possibility of attrac- 

 tion by iron in the immediate vicinity ; such basin to be kept exclusively 

 for this purpose, and known as " The Ship-swinging," or The Compass- 

 adjusting " Dock. 



With the view of deducing a practical result from what has been 

 advanced in the foregoing remarks, the author would most strongly urge 

 the necessity of some official inspection of iron vessels with reference to 

 their compass-fittings. A code of rules and instructions might be laid down 

 for this purpose ; this would be essential in the cases of new ships ; old 

 ships should be examined at stated times, and certificate-s of compass 

 adjustment be recognized by the appointed officer solely from those v/ho 

 can furnish evidence of having been properly instructed by competent per- 

 sons, so that such an important work should not be allowed to be taken 

 up and carried on by any amateur as his fancy may dictate. 



It may be a question how far a Government inspection would be 

 cordially received by shipowners or public companies ; it might by some be 

 regarded as an undue interference ; the Government also might be indis- 

 posed to incur the cost of an extra office, with all its details ; it might be 

 more properly thought a matter for the consideration of Lloyd's. It is a 

 question assuredly in which underwriters are largely and personally inter- 

 ested, and they already hold arbitrary powers as concerns the construction 

 of the hull of a ship. The simple question of the compass as a means of 

 safety is comparatively disregarded. 



The above suggestions are offered with great deference, and the author 

 would rather leave the subject in the hands of those more conversant with 

 legislation than himself ; but he cannot refrain from repeating that the 

 results of his own practical experience (which has been of no small amount) 

 convince him that an official supervision of the compass-fittings of iron 

 ships has become, from various causes, absolutely requisite. 



III. ^^On the Tidal Currents on the West Coast of Scotland.'^ By 

 xIrchibald Smith, M.A., F.R.S. Keceived March 1, 1866. 



The tidal currents on that part of the west coast of Scotland which is 

 comprised between the ]\Iull of Cantyre and the Island of Mull run in 

 general with great velocity. Their velocity, direction, and the time of their 

 change, or of slack water, are therefore matters of great importance to 

 navigators. On the other hand, the rise and fall of the tide is so small, 

 and the depth of water in the channels and the harbours so considerable, 

 that the times of high and low water are of comparatively small import- 

 ance. 



While the laws of the currents are thus of more importance than the 

 laws of the rise and fall of the tide, they are also much more simple. The 

 times of high and low water are very different at different parts of the 



