The _Berean_, Captain Wyrill, left London for the Colonies in the fall of last year. Before sailing the captain received from the Board of Barnacles notice that the light on St. Catherine’s, Isle of Wight, was to be altered in October from a fixed oil light to an electric flash with intervals of about five seconds. The captain, like a prudent man, entered this on his chart, so that it should not be overlooked. Before he left the Colonies, another notice of the impending change was given him, and he was well armed with timely advice. He made his homeward voyage, and calculated he was off the Channel. He had not been able to get an observation for three days, but he felt sure of his position, and he shaped a course right up Channel for Beachy Head. A strong S.W. wind was blowing, and the weather was thick and dirty. When he judged he had run his distance to Portland, he bore up a little for the English land to catch St. Catherine’s light, and word was given to look out for the bright electric flash. No such light was visible and the vessel was still kept away. Presently a dim light was seen 2 points on the starboard bow. At first this light looked green and was taken to be the starboard light of an approaching ship, and the helm was starboarded a little to give more room. A little time showed that idea to be wrong, and eyes were still strained to catch St. Catherine’s with no result. Then the light seen was taken for a steamer’s masthead light, but that notion did not do, and it was quite clear that the light, let it be what it might, was a fixed shore light. Over went the lead, and the soundings showed the shore to be handy, but what shore? Or what part of the shore? Clearly not off St. Catherine’s, because according to notice given there could be no fixed light there.