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According to Lloyd's List, taking an average of three years, not fewer than 557 vessels are sunk or altogether lost annually.

A vessel having gone down, the first operation is to ascertain her position as nearly as possible, by sweeping with a rope of sufficient length, having two leads fixed thereto, at about sixty fathoms apart, the object of which is to draw the rope along the bottom till it meets with an obstruction. It is easily ascertained by sounding whether the obstruction to the progress of the sweeping-rope is caused by the vessel, or by an anchor or other object; if it be the vessel, it is necessary to ascertain the position in which she lies; this is done by again sweeping the vessel with a small working chain, properly buoyed at equal distances, which will shew her length and beam. To ascertain if the bowsprit is still standing, it is necessary to sound again at each end of the vessel. The purchase-chain is next passed round the vessel, having a sufficient number of collapsed air-cases (formed as above described) shackled on to it, and when tautened round her by means of other cases, or purchase-lighters, the chain is effectually secured round the vessel by stoppers. The operation of filling the air-cases is next proceeded with, which is effected by powerful air-pumps on board a, steam-vessel taken out for the purpose, and as the displacement of the water is going on the vessel is gradually being raised from her bed, and by the time they are filled she will be above the surface of the water, and ready to be towed to shore by the steamer.

The invention of the Bude-Light is due to Goldsworthy Gurney. Esq, of Bude, in the county of Cornwall, who, for the last twenty years, has been endeavouring to obtain, by numerous experiments, a powerful and beautiful light. In 1822, he invented the Oxy-hydrogen Light, which he fully explained in his lectures delivered in Cornwall in 1822, and subsequently published in his book on Chemistry in 1823. This light was the result of his experiments on the oxyhydrogen blowpipe.

Some years afterwards Mr. Gurney invented another powerful light, which was effected by passing a stream of pure oxygen gas through the wick of an oil-lamp, whereby a most intense and beautiful light was produced. This light, which was originally called the Bude-Light, was put up at the Trinity House, and