The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-10 00:00:00

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS AND TEEM

NAVIGATION.

The Channel Islands are surrounded with numeraus
rocks of every imaginable shape, size, and height, above
and below the surface of the water. They lsek like the
jagged teeth of marine monsters, formed purposely for
tearing ships to pieces. Between and around these rocks
the tide forms currents, which fl tw in every directior,
rendering the navigation as difficult and dangerous as
that of any part of the world. This might he supposed
from the numerous vessels lust annually on those rocks,
although often commanded by pilots and natives of the
islands. So dangerous is the navigation near Guernsey
and Jersey, that the mail steamers to and from Eng-
land never reach the Channel Islands by night, and
always leave them by day. In the daytime, how-
ever, mists, fogs, and snow storms, will often deter
the commanders of mails from attempting to thread
their way between the granite ekevaztx de frieze that
surround and guard the islands. Although when there
is any wind the sea is fearfully rough in the neighbour.
hood of Jersey and Guernsey, the crews of the pickets
dislike a calm because of the mists which often then
obscure the rocks ; and during fogs and storms all per-
sons on board feel grateful when the Caskets, Sark, the
Corbibre, or any other light, islet, or headland near Jer-
sey or Guernsey is made out. If the weather is thick,
the captains of the mail packets are often obliged to
come to an anchor until it clears off. It is curious that
in the pas aee between the Needles and the islands,
the routes taken by the packets vary from time to
time as widely apart as twenty miles. This arises
from the necessity of taking advantage of the currents,
during different winds, and states of tide, for the sake
of speed, and to avoid dangers.. The most dangerous
route is through the Race of Alderney, a narrow psis
sage close to that island. Much time is saved by pro-
ceeding through the race, hut it is not often Vat it can
be attempted. Although GOO or-700 passengers pass to
and from the Channel Islands and England weekly by
the mail packets, not a serious accident has happened to
the packets for years. This is in a great measure
owing to the long experience which Captains Babot and
Goodridge, the commanders of the mail steamers, have
had. They know the shape, position, and name, of
every rock and rocklet, whether submerged or above
water, that they have to pass ; and they know, also,
the strength and direction of the innumerable currents
they have to encounter at every particular part of their
voyage. Some time since Captain Goodridge was
overtaken by a storm near the islands, and the weather
became at leLgth so thick that he was obliged to
come to an anchor. Night was coming on, and he made
up his mind for a long stay. By looking intently around
him he fortunately made out the dim outline of the form
of the peak of one of the rocks which studded the sea
around him, and by this he knew precisely whereabouts
he was. In the course of the night the storm and dark-
ness increased, and he heard cries of distress. He sent a
boat's crew towards the spot whence the cries came, to
render assistance, and with much difficulty, for the boat
was Leidy swamped, brought off the captain and crew of
a French vessel that was entangled among the rocks, and
was bumping violently against them. The French (tom.
mander, when he got on board Capt. Goodridge's ship,
firmly believed his vessel had by that time gone (loan ;
but Captain Goodridge having ascertained that she was
laden with brandy, and other floatable, but valuable,
cargo, was convinced that she would not sink, and that
when the tide ebbed, she would be, found at a particular
time in a certain direction, and resolved to go in search
of her ; this intention, however, he kept to himself.
Accordingly when that time was approaching; he ord :red
steam to be got up, and although it was pitch dark, he
threaded his way cautiously for some considerable dis-
tance, when his look-oast man rung out in alarm, " A
rock ahead, sir." Captain Goodridge, however, d;d
not heed him, and in a moment they were right along-
side the French brandy vessel, which the look-out man
had mistaken for a rock. The surprise of the French
captain may be imagined. When it was light, Captain
Goodridge towed the abandoned vessel into Guernsey,
and the Royal Court of that island awarded him 7501.
salvage money.

A STRAYED WIFE.—A husband thus announces the
departure feorn his bed and board of his dearly beloved :
My Wire, Acne Maria, has strayed or been stolen.
Whoever returns her will get his head broke. As to
trusticg her, anybody can do as he thinks fit ; for as I
never pay my own debts, it's not likely I'll pay berg.":—
tw York paper. .: