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among the islands of Japan was one of the greatest importance; one which possessed also a painful—almost tragic—interest in view of such losses as those of the Hermann, Ariel, Relief and now the Nil. In all these cases the disasters were attributed in great part, to the influence of currents which were powerful though uncertain; and about which there seemed at present to be no reliable or useful knowledge. With regard to the violent currents often encountered in the Inland Sea, especially in the Kino Channel, the Bungo Channel, and the Straits of Shimonoseki, Captain Furber of the P. M. S. S. Co. had been understood to say that the prevalence of southerly or south-easterly winds at some times, and northerly, westerly or north-westerly at others, would determine the sot of currents through these several Channels to the counteraction of all other influences, tidal or otherwise. Captain Furber’s absence was much to be regretted, as his large and recent experience would have enabled him to contribute much valuable information on a subject whose interest was of the most practical and in our circumstances, most painful character.
Mr. Brunton said: “Although Captain Brown is perhaps right in saying that the current always flows to the N. E. at Rock Island, there can be no doubt that, as the China Pilot says, that ebb tide flows E. N. E. and the flood W. S. W. in that locality. While the ebb tide flows with the Japan Stream, the flood tide opposes it. The strength of the tides are very variable, but at certain times they are of great strength. During ebb tide the flow of the Japan Stream is accelerated, and it is no uncommon occurrence to see boats carried past Rock Island at a speed of from three to four miles per hour. During flood tides on the contrary the Japan Stream is retarded, and it is not unfrequently altogether stopped. A conflict then arises between the two Streams, and the effect is that they sometimes neutralize one another. But this conflict causes an extraordinary disturbance in the surface of the water. In places it rises into pinnacle-shaped waves which dance about in all directions; in other places it breaks out into a long line of breakers just as a river torrent does when going over a rapid; and it generally presents the appearance that water does which is considerably over boiling point. I mention this because I have on several occasions gone between Rock Island and the shore in Japanese boats, and have so had very practical opportunities of judging of the state of the sea and of the directions of the current. I have never seen a current at Rock Island setting towards the S. W., but I have seen the water almost stationary, while half way between Rock Island and the shore the flood tide sets to the S. W. with great velocity. It is well known to navigators that with certain winds and at certain times there is a strong set into Suruga Gulf. This set was probably one of the causes which led to the loss of the Nil. Sufficient allowance had not been made for it, and in the thick weather which she experienced she got set to the northwards of her proper course,
