In estimating the risks to which vessels were exposed from this cause, the peculiarly insidious nature of the danger must be kept in view. A headland, or line of coast, which rises to some height above the surface of the sea can be seen in most states of the weather, at a sufficient distance, even during the night, to enable the seaman to avoid danger; but, in approaching a sunken reef or a low rock, in the dark, there is no object to warn the crew of their position, until their vessel gets unexpectedly among breakers, after which it is generally too late to bring her round again. And even the very knowledge of the existence of a reef, such as this, often causes the seaman, in ignorance of its exact position, to give it too wide a berth; in which case his ship is liable to be carried away by the force of tides or winds, perhaps on a lee shore, where, although the crew may be saved, the vessel generally goes to pieces. * * * * * The exhibition of a Light, however, altogether changes the case. Instead of shunning as a danger those dreaded rocks, vessels will steer boldly on their course, until checked by the Light, availing themselves of which they will be enabled to _lie off-and-on_ during the night, and so wait the return of daylight, in perfect confidence as to their position, and without the necessity of endeavouring to avoid hidden dangers. Thus, that which was formerly an obstruction and a danger, is rendered an aid and a safety, to the navigation of the western coasts of our country. * * * * * That this source of danger to shipping was by no means imaginary, and the consequent terror of mariners far from being ill founded, there is a too melancholy proof in the following list of disasters caused by the Skerryvore Rock, and the neighbouring dangers off the coast of Tyree:-- In 1790. The Ship Rebecca of 700 tons lost; crew saved. 1804. Ship Brigand of Nova Scotia, Wright, master, of 600 tons, lost off Hough, in Tyree; crew saved. 1804. _A Brig_, M‘Iver, master, lost off Hough; crew saved. 1806. Ellen of Bath, Paterson, master, of 90 tons, lost off Balaphuil, in Tyree; one man drowned. 1809. Brig Mary, Sanders, master, lost off Balaphuil; crew saved. 1813. Sloop, Penelope of Wick, 60 tons, lost at Gott Bay, Tyree; crew saved. 1810. A Brig from New York, Greenlees, master, lost off Hynish Point, Tyree; crew all drowned. 1813. _A Sloop_, Eugene M‘Intyre, master, lost off Balaphuil; one man drowned. 1814. Brig, Betsey of Leith, Ross, master, lost off Hough; crew saved. 1817. _A Brig_, of 400 tons, foundered off Kennavarah, Tyree; crew all drowned. Numerous casks of butter came ashore. 1818. Sloop, Benlomond of Greenock, M‘Lauchlan, master, lost off Balaphuil; crew all drowned. 1819. Sloop, Bee, Coice, master, of 60 tons, lost off Hough; crew saved.