NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

TO MARINERS ENTERING THE WESER.

The following has been received at Lloyd's, from H. F. Jiacks, Esq., the Oldenburgh Consulate General :-" Upon the Island of Wangeroog, situate at the extreme western mouth of the river Weser, the nature of the navigable waters of the Weser as respects the drifting ice, so far as the information can be obtained, will be signalized to the mariners in the following manner :- 1. A ball of about 4 feet in diameter, projecting from a pole placed in the west side of the great church-steeple, about 26 feet from the steeple, and about 125 feet above the level of the sea, indicates that there is still floating ice in the Weser; that the navigation in the same must be undertaken with the greatest circumspection; still, with a good wind, and under favorable circumstances, it may be possible to reach Bremerhaven or Fedderwarden: if, for the first case the wind blows briskly from E. to NE., and for the latter between NW. and WSW. 2. Two balls on the contrary side, hanging out perpendicularly one under the other, with an interval of six feet between them, indicates that the Weser is considerably blocked up by floating ice: the beaconships have left their stations; Bremerhaven will not be attainable; and naviga. tion down the Weser must not be attempted.' The above named signals will be best received from the vessels from the points in the compass SSE. and SW. by S."

LIGHTHOUSE OF THE MAPLIN SAND.

TRINITY HOUSE, LONDON, JAN. 14.-Notice is hereby given, that the lighthouse which has been for some time past in course of erection upon the Maplin Sand, is nearly completed and that the light therein will be exhibited for the first time on the evening of Wednesday, the 10th of February next; at which time the light, hitherto shown on board of a vessel moored off that Sand, will be discontinued, and the vessel taken away. Mariners are to observe, that this lighthouse is erected upon the southeastern projecting part of the Sand, where it becomes dry, or nearly so, at low water spring tides; and they are particularly cautioned and enjoined never, under any circumstances, either by night or by day, to attempt to cross the Sand to the northward of the building. Mariners are also to observe, that in this lighthouse, a fixed light, colored red, and visible in all directions, will be exhibited. By order. J. HERBERT, Secretary.

PROPOSED NEW LIGHTHOUSE AT THE NEEDLES POINT. The Shipping List of Cape Town says, that the new lighthouse to be erected at the Needles Point, near the Cape of Good Hope, is to be called the Tour de Voltemade, in memory of a pilot who lived many years ago at Cape Town, and greatly distinguished himself by his humane efforts in saving people from shipwreck. It is to stand on a small hill 270 feet above the level of the sea, and will cost about £1,800 in building, with £140 per annum for its keeping up. In order to avoid laying any fresh navigation dues on vessels passing the Cape, a capital of £10,000 is to be raised, which will provide for its perpetual maintenance and repair.

VESSELS BOUND TO TORQUAY.

Vessels bound to Torquay should be cautious, in running in, to give the Mole-Head a good berth, as a bank of sand and stones has lately been thrown up, extending some 20 or 30 feet off from the Mole-Head, which will be removed as soon as possible.-W. MULGE, Harbor-master.

LIGHTBOAT-PORT OF SAVANNAH.

A. B. Fannin, collector at the port of Savannah, gives notice to mariners that a lightboat has been moored between Martin's Industry, S. E. Point, and the North Bank of Port Royal entrance, and was lighted up on the first night in February, 1841. The bearings of this light are as follows, viz: N. Point Trench's Island, NWEN. Ray Point, NW. by N. Tybee lighthouse, WSW. distant about 18 miles. Depth of water, 6 fathoms at half ebb--shows one bright light, which is elevated about 22 feet above the surface of the water. Distance from nearest land, about 8 miles.

ILLUMINATION OF THE FARO LANTERN AT GENOA.

The following notice, issued by the Admiralty at Genoa, has been received at Lloyd's from their agent at that port:

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Navigators are advised that from the date of the 15th of January, 1841, and after, the illumination of the Faro of the ground lantern of this port, which is built on the extremity of the promontory of St. Beningo, in lat. 44 deg. 24 min. 18 sec. N., long. 6 deg. 34 min. E., will be effected by means of lusticular apparatus of the first order. The flashes of light and eclipses will succeed each other from minute to minute. The elevation of this light is found at 114 metrical measures above the level of the sea or ordinary tide. Its appearance in clear weather will be visible at the distance of ten marine leagues. The less brilliant fixed fire, in the intervals between the flashes, will be clearly distinguished at five marine leagues, and the eclipses will not be total but beyond the said distance."

ACCIDENTS TO BRITISH STEAM-VESSELS.

A French writer has recently compiled an interesting summary of accidents to and by British steam-vessels for a series of years, from which also may be gathered the number of steam-vessels possessed by that country at different periods. The materials of this summary are supposed to be derived from reports prepared some time since by the Admiralty. The small compass in which the results are here compressed renders them worthy of extract, as comprising all the principal facts of a long document: In 1817 there were 14 steam-vessels running; one took fire and was burnt; the boilers of another exploded; nine persons perished in this year.

1818-19 steamers; no accident.

1819-24 steamers; no accident.

1820-34 steamers; one burnt; nobody suffered.

1821-59 steamers; no accident.

1822-85 steamers; no accident.

1823-101 steamers; no accident.

1824-116 steamers; the boilers of two exploded; deaths three.

1825-153 steamers; one wrecked; two, the Comet and the Ayr, came in collision;

and 62 persons lost their lives; the boilers of another exploded.

1826-230 steamers; one burnt; explosion on another; six sufferers this year. 1827-255 steamers; one wrecked; explosion on another; two lives lost. 1828-274 steamers; two wrecked; one burnt; explosion on two; one life lost. 1829-289 steamers; three wrecked; explosion on one; six lives lost. 1830-298 steamers; three wrecked; explosion on one. The Forly totally lost, but the number of persons on board not precisely known. The other accidents did not occasion a death.

1831-321 steamers; two wrecked; two collisions; one burnt; 119 persons perished on the Rothsay Castle, near Beaumaris.

1832-352 steamers; no accidents.

1833-387 steamers; six wrecked; one burnt, and 73 deaths, without including the Erin, which was lost, vessel, and all on board.

1834-430 steamers; two wrecked; one burnt; and one explosion. The Superb lost, with all on board, in the North Sea, number of sufferers unknown. The other casualties caused no loss of life.

1835-503 steamers; three wrecked; two came into collision; one explosion of boilers; 13 lives lost.

1836-561 steamers; two wrecked; four collisions; two burnt; one explosion; no life lost.

1837-707 steamers; two wrecked; four run against each other; three took fire and burnt; one explosion; total victims 29.

1838-766 steamers; five wrecked; two collisions; six explosions; 132 lives lost. The total number of lives lost, therefore, is 456, not including those on board the Erin, Forly and Superb, which may be estimated at 120 more. It will be remarked that, notwithstanding twenty years' experience, the year 1838 was the most disastrous. The Killarney, Northern Jack, and Forfarshire were lost, and the famous Victoria, employed in transatlantic navigation, had two explosions of her boilers.

DISASTERS AT SEA REPORTED IN THE YEAR 1840.

A record of disasters at sea has been kept at the office of the American Seamen's Friend Society, during the year past, as in former years. Such only have been noted as have resulted in the total loss of the vessel. The greater part of them were wrecked on the coast of the United States, and the most of them were American vessels. The following is the result, derived from the Sailors' Magazine for January, 1840:

Of these there were lost towards the close of the year 1839, principally in the month of December, but reported in this year, 212.

By these disasters many lives were lost; 684 have been ascertained, and in regard to many others, the crews were missing, and in all probability perished with the vessel. Added to this, 39 vessels have been reported as missing during the year, which, in all probability, went to the bottom, with all their crews. These statistics exhibit in some faint degree the perils of the sea, and teach us, in most emphatic language, that what we do for sailors should be done quickly.

ICEBERGS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN.

A letter from Mr. Passmore, the master of the barque Ida, who had fallen in with icebergs on the outward voyage, gives some interesting facts connected with this subject. From this letter it appears that floating icebergs have been detached from the main blocks, and obstructed the navigation of that sea to a dangerous extent. The commander of the ship who last made the discovery warns all shipmasters in that region to look out for ice, if at any time they are surrounded by large flocks of snowy petrels.

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.

REGULATIONS ADOPTED AT THE FEEJEE ISLANDS.

The following Commercial Regulations have been received at the Department of State, Washington, from Charles F. Wilkes, Commanding the United States Exploring Expedition

:

Commercial Regulations made by the Kings and Principal Chiefs of the Feejee group of Islands, after full consideration in Council on the tenth day of June, 1840.

Article 1. All foreign Consuls duly appointed and received in the Feejee group of Islands shall be protected and respected, both in their persons and property; and all foreigners obtaining the consent of the Government, and conforming to the laws, shall receive the protection of the Kings and Chiefs.

Article 2. All foreign vessels shall be received into the ports and harbors of the Feejees for the purpose of obtaining supplies and for commerce, and with their officers and crews, so long as they shall comply with these regulations, and behave themselves peaceably, shall receive the protection of the Kings and chiefs.

Article 3. The fullest protection shall be given to all foreign ships and vessels which may be wrecked, and any property saved shall be taken possession of by the master of the vessel, who will allow a salvage or portion of the property so saved to those who may aid in saving and protecting the same, and no embezzlement will be permitted under any circumstances whatever. The effects of all persons deceased shall be given up to the consul of the nation to which they may have belonged.

Article 4. Any person guilty of the crime of murder upon any foreigner, shall be given up without delay to the commander of any public vessel of the nation to which the deceased may belong, upon his demanding the same, or be punished on shore.

Article 5. Every vessel shall pay a port charge of three dollars for anchorage to the King, before she will be allowed to receive refreshments on board, and shall pay for pilotage in and out the sum of seven dollars, before she leaves the harbor; and pilots shall be appointed subject to the approval of the consuls.

Article 6. All trading in spirituous liquors, or landing the same, is strictly forbidden. Any person offending shall pay a fine of twenty-five dollars, and the vessel to which he belongs shall receive no more refreshments. Any spirituous liquors found on shore shall be seized and destroyed.

Article 7. All deserters from vessels will be apprehended, and a reward paid of eight dollars, viz :-Five dollars to the person who apprehended him, and three dollars to the Chief of the district in which he may be apprehended, on his delivery to the proper offi cer of the vessel. No master shall refuse to receive such deserter under the penalty of twenty-five dollars. Deserters taken after the vessel has sailed shall be delivered up to the consul to be dealt with as he may think fit. Any person who entices another to desert, secretes a deserter, or in any way assists him, shall be subject to a penalty of five dollars.

Article 8. Any seaman remaining on shore after nine o'clock at night, shall be made a prisoner of until the next morning, when he shall be sent on board and shall pay a fine of five dollars.

Article 9. Should the master of any vessel refuse to comply with any of these regu lations, a statement of the case shall be furnished to the consul of the nation to which he belongs, and redress sought from thence.

Article 10. All magistrates or chiefs of districts, when vessels or boats may visit, shall enforce the regulations and rules relative to the apprehension of deserters, or pay such a fine as the principal chief shall impose.

Article 11. These regulations shall be printed, promulgated, and a copy furnished to the master of each vessel visiting these islands.

Done in Council by the principal Kings and Chiefs of the Feejee Group this 10th day of June, A. D. 1840.

REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS DESTINED TO THE PORT OF ANTWERP. The following is a copy of the instructions for the captains of ships destined for the port of Antwerp. They are dated at Brussels, 30th July, 1839, and signed by L. DESMAISIERES, Minister of Finance:

"1. The first declaration on entering from the sea must be made at the office customhouse at Lillo.

"2. The said declaration may consist in the single remittance of the manifesto or bills of lading.

"3. If the captain wishes to avoid going on shore, he may deliver up his manifesto or bills of lading to the officer of the customhouse, who is appointed to place attendants on board of the ships.

"4. When the captain does not go on shore he must state up the manifesto, or by a separate declaration in what consist ships stores.

"5. After the customhouse officers are on board in some cases, after sealing down the hatches, the captain may pursue his course to Antwerp.

"6. At his departure from Antwerp for sea, the captain must remit to the customhouse officer of Lillo the documents of the customhouse of which he is bearer.

"7. These documents may be delivered up to the customhouse officer charged to relieve the convoy.

"8. If, after inquiry, no suspicion of fraud should arise, the captain may pursue his course to the sea."

HEALTH REGULATIONS AT AUSTRIAN PORTS.

The following is a copy of an official letter, received at Lloyd's, dated "Office of Committee of Privy Council of Trade, Whitehall, December 2d, 1840:”—

SIR, The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade having been informed that British vessels arriving at Trieste from Rio de Janeiro, have been put to considerable inconvenience and expense in consequence of their not being provided with clean bills of health, I am directed by their lordships to state to you, for the information of the merchants trading with Austria, that the production of clean bills of health is required at the Austrian ports, from all vessels arriving from any part of America, or the West Indies, before they can be admitted to free pratique.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

DENNIS LE MARCHANT.

REGULATIONS AT PORTO RICO.

Vessels from the United States, arriving at any part of Porto Rico without a bill of health from the port of the United States from which they have sailed, (although hav. ing touched at other intermediate ports,) will be subject in future to 24 hours quarantine, and that during the months of July, August, September and October, they will be subject to 24 hours quarantine, although bringing clean bills of health, in default.

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS OF THE U. STATES WITH GERMANY. The interest connected with the present state of the tobacco trade of the United States, induces us to present the succeeding facts relating to this interest in Germany, which we gather from the London Journal of Commerce. President Van Buren, in his message to congress, announces that he had despatched an agent to Germany, with a