The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-19

Orleans, and one which runs TO Aspinwall by
way of the Gulf OF the sailing vessels there is
departure of one at least every day, while the
average departure ofthe steamers ia every four
days. The number OF passengers 10y these YES
sells is estimated at twenty thousand year,
while the value OF the freight is rather over than
under one hundred millions Of dollars, OF which
perhaps about one-half is in the form OF I'M
wrought gold from the California mines.
Right in the way of all this travel and com
MERGE ia most dangerous ledge OF rocks on the
northwest corner Of the Little Bahama Bank,
known as the Matanills Reef which has proved
terribly destructive to both life and property.
These works lie below the surface, and as there
is no indication in the changing color of the
water Of the decreasing depth, the first knowledge
which the shipmaster has Of his danger is the
running Of his vessel on the reef II was in this
way that The Crescent City was lost some years
ago on these rocks, and it was fortunate that the
passengers were all saved from the wreck But
what guarantee is there that in the event Of a
similar occurrence The same good fortune will
attend the shipwrecked passengers, and that the
lives OF all may not be lost. The means OF pre-
venting such disasters are within the control of
our government aud Lighthouse Board, and
they should no longer be withheld. Even while
we write The lives of those who pass this danger
QUE part Of our coast are in jeopardy, and in its
present unguarded state no passeng or ship,
master can feel perfectly secure of lis life or his
property. A light should be paced at the
northwest corner Of The Bahama Bank, on the
reef referred to, and ii should be done soon as
possible. This bank belongs to the British 60
vernment, but upon proper application from our
own ii would either place lighthouse there itself
or allow our government to do 20 at its own ex
pense. However or by whoever it is done, there
should be as little delay as is necessary for the
construction of the required building. Then, in
| addition to this, there shculd--as recommended
| by the captains of all the steamers running on
this route, in letter on the subject to the Secre
| tary ofState-be "a line OF buoys, beginning at a
point fifteen miles east of she northern corner of
| the reef; from thence extending westerly along
it's northern edge and southerly along its western
| edge TO Memory Rock, the buoys to be placed at
| intervals of two miles, and Of sufficient size to
De uStinCuy seen III Clear Wtatner at tnat us
lance, and with such reference TO soundings that
a vessel drawing twenty feet may steer direct
| from one to the next adjoining with safety"
While on this subject there is one other point
to which we would direct the attention of our
government. We refer to the change which was
made on the 18th Of March last in the character
CT the light Oh Carysfort Reel, on the coast Of
Florida This light was changed from fixed to
revolving, SO that it is now of the same kind as
that at Gun Cay, on the Great Bahama Bank,
wAh this exception, that while It rcvoives twice
in minute the latter revolves but once in the
same time. Here, then, are two revolving lights
almost opposite to each other; and as they are
both. with the slight difference of time, very
similar, The one may at any time be mistaken
for the other. The danger from mistake Of
this kind is increased by strong currents, con-
trary winds, and particularly by "the coral reefs
which make out far from land, with blue water
close alongside" The difficulty in this case is
so casy removed that it would seem only neces-
siry to call attention to il. We trust chat no
unnecessary delay will be allowed TO take place
n either Of these cases, and that prompt and
effective measures will at once be taken in the
matter.