The Washington union., 1857-11-25
DANGERS OF THE CHINESE SEAS.

In noticing the loss Of the American ship Claiming,
when loaded and ready for sea, in Ke-ung harbor,
Formosa during the typhoon Of the 18th and 10th Of
August last the Hong Kong Magazine for September
thus speaks of the dangerous navigation in that
quarter of the world in article headed The Prata
Shoal and Pressing Needs of Commerce =
Whilst the battle Of life politically and socially
has been undstngushed by any striking act startling
incident during the month"; have to chronicle
more Of those moving accidents which the ''war Of
the elements SO frequently furnishes in these to
remind at once OF his impotence and his short
comings. fg-
Thus it is that after several gales of wind lattcry
hear Of the wreck of Dutch ship and probably Also
an American ship the Prata shoal and that
reminded again that it had been better had the under
writer's of the world built lightho dozen years ago
with roof of gold tiles SO large Is the sum Of the losses
on that shoa in the time emitting all regard Of the
lives also sacrificed to senselsss parsimony sfTl
Let us hopeat this dawn of political era here
that those patient and daring instruments of commerce.
the mariners upon whose skill and Judgment depends
also the safety of thousands of lives may participate in
the benefits derivable from better Judgment and more
faithful application of western principles and modes Of
action that through the dark and stormy nights of their
voyagng these they may hereafter be cheerd by
the sight of those lights which the beacons of com
merce and the advanced towers of science and cviz
ton. rtsag NEftI595 ee
Rejecting upon the fearful losses of life and property
upon this one shoal and upon that further uncertain
but undoubtedly large number OF the coasts
of China Formos and Lconia beside laundering in the
sea- directly and indirectly attributable to the want of
lghthouse upon it, one an to ask Why wait till the
wrecks value sa suffice TO the rocks with silver
and the lives lost sold to slavery shall weigh down
with grief the hearts of thousands instead of hundres
Can any reasonable person tell us whyg has
The practical difficulties slight and communication
with Hong Kong easy and usually with either wind
steam requires but few hours. Plainly do these
rous disasters indicate to that ii Is central point in
the great highway Of commerce, and hence, instead of
being the of mans destruction ruin it may be
made subservent to Of his greatest present wants
instead of being the hundreds thousands and
the destruction of many Of the fair and strong fabrics of
his hands--thc Mermaid" " Z. Living Ages, z Rey
nards . g Johannes, ~ Dorotheas, 4 Hygeas, and
dozen others-as it to form huge hecatomb of
wrecks and drowned corpses to appease the seagods
Victims and wrecks wild confusion hurled vw
s 'Canst the dreaded portal 10 another woridts- ~
instead of this dire scenc there may be reared fair
shaft heayenward whose benecent light shall shine Oar
over the sea- at warning and guide to path
haven Of safety.
IL this is really the " hcg age of benevolence, of
science of progress shall benghtcd voyagers hither
have their eyes saluted by these lights Of civilization
were by newly from the depths of the
similar need Is felt for light house upon the small
island off Puio-cat in the Straits of Gaspar We may
remark here also passaa that faithful re-survey
Of the Straits of Banka h required and meantime its
avoidance by ships Of large draught seems advisable
reminding OF this state Of that strat being just by
the loss Of H. NJ s. transports Transit therein but IL
has long been known tha old charts longer
reliable guides to safe channels through IL, ~