GENERAL CONTENTS.

Page

Shipwreck,—its frequency near shore 3

—— particularly near capes and promontories 6

—— Recent instances affording useful hints for future navigators respecting various expedients against thirst, famine, want of water 9

—— Cautions in the treatment 11

—— Accidental causes of shipwreck 12

—— Why influenced by local situations 13

Hurricanes,—prognostic signs of 14

Shipwreck, more often caused by negligence 15

—— Hints for prevention, by new improvements 16

—— by boats incapable of upsetting 18

—— the Shields life-boat, its pre-eminence 20

—— by improved nautical implements 22

—— by curious inventions by foreigners 30

—— by vigilance and intrepidity of the captain 32

—— by precautions against storms 33

—— laws respecting wrecks, and to prevent plunder 36

—— the forming a line of communication with the shore, an important object 38

—— How best accomplished 40

—— —— by life-boat, projectile forces, &c. 39

—— by impervious air-vessels, a new invention 44

Swimming and Diving, their importance 47

xiiObjection from Human beings swept away by accidents 49

Waste of life,—how reconciled to the laws of the universe,—whether the mere preservation of the species be only intended 50

Whether swimming ought not to constitute an essential branch of national education ib.

Swimming and diving, their additional advantages 51

Asylum for shipwrecked mariners 53

—— whether that at Bamborough castle does not afford an excellent model 56

—— hints for establishing such institutions on a smaller scale 59

—— in situations peculiarly dangerous 60

Conclusion 61

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