anchorage. The small arrows show the direction of the set of the current, the current going with the arrow.

(5.) Lines called Compasses, similar to those on the compass card, are drawn at convenient intervals on the chart. In charts of large seas, as the Atlantic, these compasses are generally drawn so that the line from the North to the South point corresponds with the true meridian; but in coasting charts the same line generally coincides with the correct magnetic meridian.

(6.) When the true course between two places is known, it must be remembered that Westerly variation is allowed to the right, and Easterly to the left hand of the true course in order to obtain the compass course.

(7.) In "cross bearings," both bearings must be corrected for the deviation due to the direction of the ship's head at the instant of making the observations.

(8.) With respect to the method of determining the ship's position by cross bearings, it may be observed that this is the most complete of all methods when the difference of bearings is near 90°; but if the difference is small-as, for example, less than 10° or 20°, or near 180°-the ship's position will be uncertain, because a small error in the bearing will cause a great error in the distance.-(RAPER, page 120, No. 367.)

EXAMINATION PAPER.

Exn. 9b.

Rotation No.

Port of

EXAMINATION IN CHART.

The applicant will be required to answer in writing, on a sheet of paper which will be given him by the Examiner, all the following questions according to the grade of Certificate required, numbering his answers with the numbers corresponding with those in the question paper.

1.—A strange chart being placed before you, what should be your special care to determine, before you answer any questions concerning it, or attempt to make use of it?

A.-Which is the North part of the chart.

NOTE.-If a foreign chart, note what meridian it is projected for.

2.-How do you ascertain that in our British charts?

A.-In our British charts there is always at least one compass, the true north point of which is designated by a star or other ornament.

3.-Describe how you would find the course by the chart between any two places, A and B. A.-Lay the edge of a parallel ruler over the two given places, A and B, then taking care to preserve the direction, move one edge of the ruler until it comes over the centre of the nearest compass on the chart; the circumference of the compass cut by the edge of the ruler would show the course according to the direction the one place is from the other.

4. Supposing there to be points of

would the course be magnetic? the true course being

variation at the first named place, what

In answering this question, merely write down the magnetic course corresponding to the true course given.

Rule.-To turn true course into a magnetic course, allow

Easterly variation to the left hand,

Westerly variation to the right hand, thus—

True course N.E. by N., with 2 points W. variation, gives N.E. by E. magnetic.

with 2 points E.

N. by E.

True course S.E. by S., with 2 points W. variation, gives S. by E.

True course S. W. by S., with 2 points W. variation, gives S.W. by W. magnetic. with 2 points E.

S. by W. True course N.W. by N., with 2 points W. variation, gives N. by W. magnetic. with 2 points E. N.W. by W. variation should be allowed to the

points of

A.and the magnetic course would be

"

5.-How would you measure the distance between those two or any other two places on the chart?

A.-With a pair of dividers measure half the distance on the chart between, then placing one leg of the dividers on the middle latitude on the graduated meridian, measure on each side of the same, and the number of degrees measured between those two extreme points, brought into miles, will be the distance required.

6.- Why would you measure it in that particular manner?

A.—Because on a Mercator's chart the degrees of latitude increase in length as the latitude increases.

The above comprises all the questions on the chart that are put to Mates and Only Mates.
In addition to the above, the Masters are required to answer:

7.-What do you understand those small numbers to indicate that you see placed about the chart?

A.-Depths of water in fathoms, or feet, as specified on the chart.

8.-At what time of the tide ?

A.-At low water ordinary springs.

9.—What are the requisites you should know in order that you may compare the depths obtained by your lead-line on board with the depths marked on the chart?

A.-The time from high water "rise and fall," or as it is now called, the "mean spring range."

NOTE.-The rise of tide at spring and neaps, as well as the range, is given on a chart to facilitate finding the height of tide at different hours between high and low water.

10. What do the Roman numerals indicate that are occasionally seen near the coast and in harbours?

A.-The time of high water at that place at full and change of the moon.

NOTE. It is generally expressed thus,-H.W. at F. and C., VIII 32m, that is, high water at full and change of the moon occurs at 8h 32m.

11.-How would you find the time of high water at any place, the Admiralty Tide Tables not being at hand, nor any other special tables available ?

A. To the time of high water at full and change add 49 minutes for every day that has elapsed since the full or change of moon, the sum will be the P.M. tide for the given day approximately; or, to the time of the moon's meridian passage, corrected for longitude, add the port establishment, the sum will be the P.M. tide required.

All the above questions should be answered, but this does not preclude the Examiner from putting any other questions of a practical character, or which the local circumstances of the port may require.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION IN THE USE OF THE CHART.

In this problem the chart is that used for Sumner's Method, on which the compass is true: the amount of variation, E. and W., will be written within or near the compass: and the Candidate is supplied with a Table of Deviations; these deviations are given in two columns, one for the ship's head correct magnetic, and the other for the ship's head by compass.

The form of the question is as follows:

FOR ALL GRADES WHERE THE CHART IS USED.

a.-Using Deviation Card No. find the course to steer by compass from also the distance.

Answer.-Compass Course

Distance

to

Variation

b.-With the Ship's head on the above-named Compass Course

bore by

miles; find the Lat. and Long. of the

On the different days of Examination, the positions in (Question a), and consequently the directions of the line from one place to the other, the various bearings of the letters (which are taken to be lighthouses or land marks) are changed. The form above, however, indicates the character of the question.