WE have on different occasions in this Journal remarked on'what we conceived to be the imperfection, when taken as a whole, of the present system for rescuing shipwrecked persons from drowning; that whilst, in some localities, most creditable exertions have been made, and much success has attended those exertions, yet that at no place perhaps has as much been done as was possible ; and that at many, little or nothing has been attempted—where the storm seems to have been regarded as a monster who, as a matter of course, will prey on those that have the temerity to venture upon his domain; or as the Deity of the watery wilds who needs to be propitiated by this periodical sacrifice from amongst his votaries.

The consequence has been, that a waste of human life has taken place, which, even in a single year, presents a melancholy picture to the view; but which if contemplated in the aggregate, over a lengthened period, will be found to have been the work of a power far more devastating in its effects than the cannon and sword of the enemy.

We do not mean to imply that any human efforts could have subdued this power, or altogether have neutralized its effects, but that much more might be done under the working of a well-organized and comprehensive system which should insure— 1st. The adoption of all practicable precautionary measures which might lead to the prevention of shipwreck.2nd. The employment of every available means on board merchant vessels for saving the lives of their crews, and effecting communication with the shore, in the event of their getting stranded.

3rd. The establishment all along our coasts of the most perfect system which can be devised, for affording them timely succour from the land.

The first of these heads, indeed, embraces a wide field for cultivation, in which much has been already done and well done, but where more yet remains to be accomplished.

It includes all that can facilitate the safe navigation of our coasts.—The exact surveying of every part of them, and the publication of charts, on which shall be clearly portrayed and defined every danger which lies in the mariner's way.—The establishment of the most perfect system of lighthouses, buoys, beacons, and sea-marks.

—The creation of harbours of refuge, and the improvement of natural harbours, and the mouths of navigable rivers.—The enactment of a rigid system of surveillance which should prevent the sailing out of port of vessels that are leaky or unseaworthy, half-manned, or ill-found; and which should require sufficient proof of the qualifications of masters and superior officers, as seamen, navigators, and commanders of others.— The improvement of the mode of calculating the tonnage of vessels, and of the scale according to which the levying of tolls, harbour and dock dues, &c., are calculated; which systems have hitherto acted as premiums on the construction of bad sailing ships, and have by that means been prolific sources of shipwreck; since a fast-sailingclipper vessel can readily beat off a leesliore, when one of the more prevailing form of colliers, coasters, and other merchant craft, would infallibly drift bodily on to it.

On the second head, but little or nothing has been yet done.—It has possibly been considered that the owner of a ship, if not actuated by motives of humanity, or a sense of duty to those in his employ, would at least be prompted by self-interest, to provide as far as possible for their safety as well as for that of his vessel. The legislature of the country has accordingly hitherto scarcely interfered in the matter; and, strange to say, public opinion has not been directed to it.

The shipowner has therefore had, as his sole motive power, his own sense of the moral responsibility resting upon him to urge him to do unto others, and those his own servants, as if similarly circumstanced he would have wished them to do unto him.

The manner in which this provision for the safety of ship's crews might be effected may be shortly defined as follows:— 1st. Every merchant vessel should carry one or more boats, so far fitted as life-boats, that they should have a sufficient amount of extra buoyancy to support the whole of the ship's crew in the event of getting filled by a sea; and of a form calculated for landing through a surf. Such a boat can readily be thus fitted without materially interfering with her stowage-room or disqualifying her for all the ordinary uses to which ships' boats are put.

2nd. She should be provided with an efficient life-buoy;—and one of the best description of circular cork ones can be procured for the small sum of 12s. 6d.

3rd. She should likewise be provided with as many good cork life-belts as there are persons in her crew, which should be kept secured to the bulwark, or other convenient situation on deck, where they could be readily got at in the event of the vessel getting ashore, or her crew having from any other cause to take to their boat. A belt of this kind, having sufficient buoyancy to make it impossible for a person having it on to sink, and yet not interfering with the free use of his limbs, may be also had for a small sum, and which might often be the salvation of a man's life if upset from his boat in attempting to land through a surf.

Lastly. She should also be furnished with some means for conveying a line to the shore, in the event of her getting stranded sufficiently near to make it practicable. The rocket and mortar apparatus are unsuitable for the purpose, as they would probably seldom be ready for immediate use; and as a vessel on taking the ground is in general immediately subjected to such violent concussions by the waves striking her that it would in most cases be unmanageable. The flying a kite from the vessel to the shore has been suggested by Colonel DANSEY, R. A., and it might sometimes be available, although there would probably often be difficulty in getting it to ascend in the first instance clear of the rigging and of the eddy winds under the vessel's lee. The most feasible plan would at first sight appear to be to float a buoy with a line attached to it to the shore; but it is generally found that the drawback of the retiring waves, together with the weight of the line, prevents a buoy from quite reaching the beach. We think it probable, however, that a very light buoy, which should expose a large surface to the wind, and have but little hold on the water, and having a small manilla or other floating-line attached to it, would, if the wind were sufficiently on shore, be in general carried so close to it that it might be grappled by those on the beach: it is at all events a matter worth making further experiments upon. A buoy of this character, formed of waterproof cloth, which folds up and self-inflates on being distended, was some years since invented by the Rev.

JAMES WILLIAMS, Rector of Llanfairynghornwy, in Anglesea—an old friend and zealous coadjutor of this Institution, and we think it would be admirably adapted for the purpose.

By the general use on board merchant vessels of such means as those we have recommended, we believe that numberless valuable lives might be saved. The adoption of them, however, cannot be secured by any power of less magnitude and authority than the legislature of the country. The voices of societies or individuals have no weight whatever in such cases; we may raise them as loudly as we will, it is of no avail; ships and boats will continue to be badly built and ill-suited for the work they have to perform ; they will still be ill-fitted, ill-manned, ill-found as hitherto, unless selfinterest, or some other power more cogenl than humanity and love to their fellow creatures shall urge those possessing this kind of property to see the necessity for a change.

As a striking instance of the heartlessness which exists on this subject, we have been informed by respectable boat-builders in this metropolis that on more than one occasion, when old worn-out boats have been brought to them to be repaired, and they have stated that they were not worth repairing, they have been asked seriously, in reply, whether they could not make them pass muster as life-boats, by concealing the decayed and worn-out parts behind the air-cases and other fittings, the vessels they belonged to being included in the category of those that are compelled to carry boats, which, at all events, should have the appearance of life-boats.

Although, however, we cannot interfere on these points, and our opinion may have no weight with those who have the power to do so; yet, on our third head, viz., the establishment of measures for affording succour to shipwrecked persons from the land, something may, and we trust more and more will be done by a charitable society like the National Shipwreck Institution, founded for that express purpose. We may not be able to do all we could wish, but-we may do a great deal; we may stir up and assist and rally round us local efforts ; we may by degrees establish an increased number and improved description of life-boats; we may continue, as we have done, to reward and encourage those who risk their lives to save others; we may endeavour to awaken general interest on the subject. But our capability of usefulness will be proportional to the assistance afforded us by the public.

To that public we must, therefore, again and again appeal, and we have every confidence that we shall not do so in vain.