MONTHLY MAGAZINE. No. 233.] NOVEMBER 1, 1812. [4 of VOL. 34. A long as those who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving their Opinions a Maximum of Influence and Celebrity, the most extensively circulated Miscellany will repay with the greatest Effect the Curiosity of those who read, whether it be for Amusement or for Instruction.-JOHNSON. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. REPORT from the COMMITTEE on the Peti SIR, YOUR intelligent correspondent Com mon Sense, in a late Monthly Magazine, in bold, though manly, language, has called the attention of government to the great loss of our brave and valuable seamen through wrecks. On reading the article I immediately perceived that your correspondent was unacquainted with the following fact: That there is an invention in existence that has received the unanimous acknowledgment of a select committee of the House of Commons, of its power to preserve the individual when in deep water, consisting of the following members: Right Hon. Mr. Yorke, first Lord of the Admiralty, Right Hon. Mr. Rose, Hon. Capt. Paget, R. N. Hon. Capt. Bennet, R.N. Admiral Sir C. Pole, Lord Viscount Althorpe, General Tarleton, Sir W. Cur. tis, Hon. Mr. Lambe, General Ferguson, Lord Ossulston, Admiral Harvey, Mr. Peele, Admiral Sir R. Bickerton, Admiral Sir C. Hamilton, and Lord Viscount Castlereagh; Samuel Whitbread, esq. in the chair. And yet the late and present Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty absolutely refuse to act upon that report, though scarcely a month passes without a dozen or more being unnecessarily consigned to death through that report remaining unacted on. The following, which are the resolutions of the committee, will remove all doubts that may arise in the minds of the generality of your readers, who must naturally imagine, the Lords of the Admiralty would joyfully and instantly adopt any means likely even to alleviate so destructive an evil as wreck, and the many other disastrous accidents to which our naval force, “Britain's pride," from the nature of the service, are ever liable; and will, I trust, remove all doubts as to the efficas cy of the invention to effect their preservation in situations where all that is re quired, as he observes, is an artificial support until assistance be rendered them, or they reach the nearest shore. MONTHLY MAG, No. 233, tion of W. H. MALLISON. The Committee to whom the petition of W. H. Mallison was referred, to examine the matter thereof, and to report the same, with their observations and opinion thereupon, to the House, and who were empowered to report the minutes of the evidence taken before them; having examined the witnesses produced before them by the petitioner, Mr. Mal lison, together with his invention itself, to save persons from drowning, denominated by him theSeaman's Friend," and having witnessed some actual experiments made in the river Thames, by persons who had on the. Seaman's Friend," both in swimming and rowing; have unanimously agreed upon the following resolutions: 1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that the application of cork, invented by Mr. Mallison, is effectual for the preservation of persons in water; and it appears from the evidence taken, that experiments have been made, as well by persons who could swim as by those who could not, in the open sea and in rough water, and by one person in particular, a good swimmer, in a situation of uncommon peril, all of which have been quite successful. 2. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the application of the invention to the crews of boats going from ships to the shore, or returning in stormy weather, would be exceeding useful; and on all dangerous services of the same nature, especially as the use of the invention cannot materially impede the action of the limbs, either in rowing, walking, or making any necessary have no doubt that in many dreadful disasexertion on the beach; and the Committee ters which have happened, such as fire, or foundering of ships at sea, when in company of other vessels, (as in the instance of the Prince George, Admiral Broderick's ship, in the seven years' war, and the Queen Charlotte, not many years since, in the Mediterranean,) if a quantity of the "Seaman's Friends," invented by Mr. Mallison, had been on-board, many valuable lives would have been saved. 288 Mr. Mallison, on his Seaman's Friend. the loss of our seamen, are wreck, fire, boats upsetting, and what are termed dangerous services, such as cutting out vessels, boarding, and making descents on an enemy's country, &c. I shall proceed to shew, that most in all, and all in many, of these situations may in future be preserved, whenever it is the will of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. [Nov. 1, in the case of the St. George, Hero, De fence, and the Saldanha frigate, as well Eleven men as all wrecks that can be referred to. George, ten from the Defence, and eight were saved from the St. the shore from the Saldanha frigate, but so from the Hero, and some men reached exhausted as shortly to die. In the Times of the 8th of February, it is stated that, on the afternoon of the Christmas day, the last St. George, left the ship on a small piece of of the eleven men who were saved from the plank; and, in the Day of the 5th of Febru ary, that a child eight years old got on shore safely, fastened to a large piece of timber. How came these to be saved and all the rest to perish? They passed the intermediate space of deep water between the vessel and the shore; the others were all drowned through being incapable of passing it. What would have prevented all the officers and men from being saved had they possessed this invention?-they had the command of the power, and been never could have sunk; they would have now living protectors to their families and their country-3000 men have thus perished and yet no means taken to guard against the recurrence of the evil in fu To the first, Wreck-It is proper to define what shipwreck really is, which for such a length of time has swept numbers of all nations to an untimely grave, and hitherto eluded the hopes of the statesman in every maritime country, in his wish to discover any mode by which even a partial alleviation of this destruc. tive evil might be effected; for which purpose it is necessary to divest it of all ideal terror, and simplify it to what it really is; namely, a vessel driven near the shore, with an intermediate space of deep water between the land and itself. Whoever can pass that intermediate space either by swimming, by ropes, by pieces of wreck, &c. &c. is saved; all others are lost, and die in the attempt of this short passage. Let an individual be rendered, through artificial means, unable to sink, and the very winds and waves that forced the vessel on shore will carry him with safety across that space, and prove the means of preserving nine out of ten at present lost. This is fully exemplified List of 5 Officers and 108 Men who have perished through boots upsetting, since the Report of the Committee was ordered to be printed on the 5th of June, 1811. Dates-1811. June 17th October 25th December 12th ture. The second resolution must render it unThe second, Fire, and Boats upsettingnecessary for me to say more than insert who have perished through that means. the following list of 113 officers and men British Press-Lieutenant Vallack, and boat's crew, carrying dispatches to Sir R. Keats, at Cadiz, from Ayamonte Bay Times-Lieutenant Smith and 13 men, belonging to the Egmont, 74, upset returning from Deal Statesman-Seven men belonging to the Scorpion re- December 28th Day--A lieutenant and seven men belonging to his 1812. January 16th 25th Courier-The purser and one man, when the boat of British Press The boat of the Tremendous, Capt. Times-The boat belonging to his Majesty's ship, Lord Cochrane, upset in Plymouth Sound; two men drowned, the others swam till taken up by a pilot boat Carried forward Officers. Men. 1812.] Mr. Mallison, on his Seaman's Friend. 280 Dates. 1812. March 26th March 28th April 15th April 21st May 10th Brought forward Day-Four men belonging to his Majesty's ship Naiad, upset on going from Spithead to Lymington, Capt. Carbut and three others saved by a dredgerman Times-A lieutenant and 44 men when the launch of the Raisonable run foul of a gun brig at Sheerness British Press-The crew of the boat belonging to his Majesty's ship Minos; an oar, a hat, and boat bottom upwards, found on shore Times-Seven men belonging to the Scourge CustomHouse lugger, sent to look after smugglers; the body of one since found Englishman-Three men belonging to the Olympial cutter, upset near Dungeness; a midshipman and one man saved by those who witnessed the accident Every one of these unfortunate men would have been saved, had the report been acted on, and his Majesty's ships been furnished with the invention, as certainly as Captain Campbell, of the Tremendous, was, for it would have been impossible for them to have sunk. Fire likewise is settled by the second resolution. In regard to the third, Hazardous service the invention is complete ly sword, bayonet, and pike proof, and does not in the least impede the general actions of a man when equipped with it, either in attack or defence. What I mean to express is, that the sword and bayonet of the enemy, instead of passing through his body, would be stopped, or inflict only a small wound, of perhaps an inch, or an inch and a half, which has been proved before the field-officers at Woolwich. Had Captain Rowley been in possession of some of this simple invention, in his gallant attack off Languilla, on the 10th of May, the following paragraph, inserted in the Gazette of the 20th of July, would never have appeared. "I regret to state that our success has been clouded, and our loss on this occasion much extended, by an unfortunate accident which occurred on landing the party; the America's Yawl being sunk by a chance shot from the only gun that could bear on the boats; and, before assistance could be afforded, I lament to say, ten marines and one of the crew were drowned." Nor had Captain Hoste been deprived of the fruits of his gallant victory, through his boats having been rendered unserviceable; he need only to have said, Let an officer and half a dozen men put on the seaman's friend, fasten their cutlasses to their arms, and go and take possession; they would have effected their purpose by swimming, equally as well as if they had bad a hundred boats. As for the third resolution, every body laughs at it. How can we believe, they say, that the House of Commons declare your invention well deserving public attention, and capable of this great national service of preserving those seamen until assistance comes, and yet see the men perishing by thousands, without adopting it; knowing at the same time, that, in less than another twelve-month, the same number may perish for the very want of this invention. Some people actually told me, it must be a forgery, and will scarcely believe the original Report of the House of Commons when they see it. But I beg pardon for the appearance of levity on such an occasion; and regret to say, nothing but an enactment of the House of Commons will induce the Lords of the Admiralty to prevent, by the adoption of this invention, the loss of our seamen in future similar situations. I am happy in saying, I pos sess the most flattering prospects of the subject being brought forward early next sessions; a gentleman endeared to society for his humanity and powerful abilities, having written to me to that effect. But, as reason too imperiously assures us, this unnecessary waste of our bravest men never can be arrested, unless that report be acted on; I am now employed in taking the best legal advice, whether there exists any means of compelling the Lords of the Admiralty to the perfor mance of, what I conceive to be, their duty ere the House meets. I did expect, when the report was ordered to be printed, the Lords of the Admiralty could not have consigned more to death; but, to my application, they returned for answer, "They did not think it expedient the seamen of the royal navy should be furnished with cork jackets. June 25, 1811; signed, Barrow:"-thus adding insult to injury. This invention was no cork jacket before the committee (we had them of all descriptions); on which committee were three Lords of the Admiralty. They never acceded to those unanimous resolutions, acknowledging the power of the invention to preserve our seamen, as a cork-jacket, nor did they reward me with 100l. free of fees, for producing them a cork-jacker; but an invention acknowledged capable of preserving our seamen, combining at once simplicity, cheapness, and durability, in situations where they perish solely for want of this very means to prevent them from sinking; and which it was equally the bounden duty of their lordships to provide for his Majesty's service, as to secure their salaries. The present Lords of the Admiralty adopt a different mode; wrapping them selves up in their official fortresses, they have refused to take any notice of my memorials; and, on my applying to Lord Melville, as the head of that department of the state, he sends me word that the board having already decided on the merits of your invention, he must decline all interference in the matter, April 10, 1812." And to my reply, informing his lordship that the decision he alludes to is contrary to facts, truth, and the resolutions of the House of Commons, and humbly requesting of his lordship, for the sake of humanity, the interest of the country, and the future preservation of those brave men, I might be permitted to wait upon him and convince his lordship of the truth of the above; that, on the contrary, all may be saved who perish through boats upsetting when that report is acted on; and a great alleviation of the loss of life take place in the general dangers to which our men are exposed to, through a proper introduction of the invention into the service, and which would not take up a quarter of an hour of his lordship's time; I received no further answer than referring me to the one of the 10th of April. From fear of occupying too much of your Journal, I am obliged to defer the pleasure of submitting my remarks on the various other reflections contained in the very valuable article, and confine myself simply to the proof, that no occasion exists for the death of our seamen through boats up. setting; and that, on the other occasions through which our seamen perish, a great alleviation to this loss may be ef fected. Should you consider the subject St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill. HAVE extracted the following sketch of Dovedale from my travelling notes of this year, nearly in the words put down by me while in the Dale, when surrounded by its beauties. If you think it deserving a place in your Magazine, or that it may contribute to the amusement of your readers, it is at your service. DOVEDALE is about one mile and a half out of the road from Ashbourn to Buxton, and about five miles from Ashbourn. At some distance you see Thorp Cloud, and the high naked moors which inclose the dale, and which in the cultivated country around them are the promise of something extraordinary. Enter the daie by Thorp Cloud, on the opposite side of the river Dove. A small fall of the river here relieves the weary traveller, stopping to gaze upon the scene before him. Thorp Cloud, a high bare limestone hill, of all colours, with here and there single trees, or groups of two or three, or large patches growing out of the blue shingles, forms on the whole a very pleasing object. Proceed about two hundred yards along the river, which is narrow, the high bilis almost meeting, and the glen appearing shut up by the hills, which here turn abruptly to the left, piled one above and behind another. The river proceeds about one hundred yards in this direction, and then is turned to the right, and winds between hills or rocks, still closer together and more lofty; the one on the left covered with trees of all kinds, and hues hanging from its sides, and singularly remarkable for numerous conical spires of rock, from twenty, thirty, and forty yards high, rising perpendicularly from its sides. Here the footpath ascends, the river having but perpendicularly just room, on account of a high projecting nose which overhangs it, to push itself between the hills. A little further on the right side, are several masses or walls of rocks, covered with ivy and other climbers, which appear like the ruins of a castle. A little further, on the same side, a fine noble arch appears, almost hanging in the air near the top of the cliff, and is like a grand entrance into the court-yard of some old castle; reach it by a steep ascent; sit down in the court-yard, closed in almost by the cliffs around; hence the view is most singularly pleasing and picturesque; the river and opposite hill appearing a singular vista through the archand through a chasm between the right pillar of the archway, and the cliff behind, the river is seen far below to lose itself in an immense and deep fissure, or chasm, between the almost perpendicular eliffs. Their sides being cloathed with trees to the summit, make you doubtful whether the view is beautiful or terrify ing. Behind, in the hill, are two small caves, the one called Reynard's hall, the other his kitchen. Descend to the river, and enter this fissure, where in most parts is but just room for one person to walk along the stream. At one part, where the hills are distant from each other orly about twenty-four feet, at the base of a steep frightful cliff, bare to the top, the path is over stepping stones in the river. Here, (in the straits, as this part of the dale has been called,) the river, which in its whole course has been clear and rapid, tumbling over two or three small falls, becomes deeper from being contracted between the hills, and dashes rapidly anong the stones in its narrow bed. Through "the straits," about two hundred yards, and the entrance to it from this side, is still more remark able from two upright rocks, or spires, one on each side of the river, which I call the "pillars of Hercules." Here the hills fall back, and allow room for a small piece of soft pasturage, through which the river winds in a reedy bed. In about one hundred yards on the right side of the river, the range of hills turns to the right, and another range of hills takes its place, forming a sort of dell; and the river turns to the left, again having but just room for its waters. The hills here become less interesting, and stripped of their beautiful cloathing. At this place are two other arches in the hill, where it begins to turn off to the right; one of them is very large and handsome, and is a very fine object, entering the dale this way. 3 Indeed, on account of this archway, which has been called the church, and of some huge projecting upright masses of rock, opposite to it on the other side of the stream, this is properly the entrance into Dovedale on this side; and a most magnificent entrance it is. The river Dove, however, continues to run for some way in a very narrow dale, between high hills, which is now called by another name; and, after the magnificence of the scenery that we have just witnessed, has very little of interest. JOHN SCALES. Stoke Newington, Sept. 20, 1812. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, HAVE read with the greatest interest, in your Magazine for July 1812, the letter addressed to you by Mr. John Farey, sen. This letter deserves much notice, and the details to which it will lead me, may contribute to render your Journal (very useful in many respects) a repository of facts and conclusions concerning every essential part of geology, one of the most important among natural sciences. Mr. Farey agrees with me, not only on the errors of the system of Common Sense, of which I wrote to you in a letter inserted in your Journal for June last, but of that of Professor Playfair's system, in his Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory; and we unite also in the same general sentiment, that errors in geology may lead to fatal consequences, with respect to the faith in Revelation; as has happened to Common Sense. But Mr. Farey mentions some points on which we differ; and, these shall be the subject of a calm examination in this paper, the only way to discover truth. Mr. Farey says, that he is sorry to observe, that some of his publications, and, in particular, his paper in the Philosophical Transactions for 1811, have not attracted my attention; and he conceives," that, if I would go over the field of his observations, in and near Derbyshire in particular, with the same earnest desire to sift into their truth and correctness, as I have displayed in my geological travels in following Professor Playfair in his ill-judged systematic support of the Huttonian or Plutonic doctrine, I would see reason to abandon several of my favourite geological tenets." Mr. Farey could not know what was implied, in this respect, in the following passage |