Royal United Services Institution. Journal Sir William

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Royal United Services Institution. Journal Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/ loi/rusi19 Sir William Thomson's Sounding Machine: Its Advantages in Peace and War Captain Claude E. Buckle R.N. Published online: 11 Sep 2009.

To cite this article: Captain Claude E. Buckle R.N. (1884) Sir William Thomson's Sounding Machine: Its Advantages in Peace and War, Royal United Services Institution. Journal, 28:127, 857-877, DOI: 10.1080/03071848409424352 To link to this article: http:// dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071848409424352

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SIR WILLIAIl THOJISOK’S SOUNDIKG MACHINE : ITS ADVANTAGES IN PEACE AND WAR. By Captain CLAUDEE. BUC~LE,R.N. (Read by Captain S. LOW,R.N.) The C~AIRXAX: Captain Buckle, who prepared this paper, 1x1s been nppointed to a ship on foreign eerriw, but Captain Long has been hind enough to undertake to rend it for him. I beliere Captain Buckle has had eonsidemblc experience in the actual use of this machine, and thereforc his paper ought to bo raluable as shorring us the pmcticol application of Sir Willism Tlionison’a inrention.

1 PROPOSE to divide the subject into two parts, viz., Pcacc and War ; to demonstrate the advantage of ha\ing this sounding macliine on board ship iu both cases, and tlic very scrious disadvantage of being without. it. The advantages of Sir William Tliomson’s sounding machine are :- 1st. Practically perfectly correct and rcliable soundings in any weather, and in any sea. 2nd. Soundings at considerable depth can be obtained at a high speed. 3rd. That a ship need never be off her proper course for one minute for the purpose of obtaining soundings. 4th. That by running a line of soundings a ship’s position can at all times be known wit11 certainty, provided the charts arc accurate. 5th. That by frequent use of this sounding machine in fogs, wssels can with much greater safety continue at B moderate speed, and greatly decrease the danger of collision in narrow waters. I think I should waste time bp entering into a rery full dcscrip-

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 tion.of either the original or later invention (for wliieli T refer you to the Journal of this Institution, rol. xxv, KO. CX), ; but I will confine myself principnlly to consider tlie apparatus as now supplied by Sir William Thomson. The original inrention has been improwd upon, adis that now in use. The later invention, though successful, had onc important dramback-it as expensive. The souuditg apparatus and indicator were combined, and if Iost, you lost an article that cost 6Z., and could sound no morc, unless you had D spare apparatus. 3x2 858 SIR WJLLL%%! TROXISOX'S SOUNDMG JlhCIIINE : Tho instrument as now made consists of a drum on which is .crour?d fine steel piano wire, fitted into a flame. This mnst alwq be kept, when not in actual use, in ewatcr-tight box containing lime and q-nter. Attached to tho end of the wire is an iron ring to which is

LATESTFORU OF SIB w. THOYSOS'S SOUSDIXG JhCHIXE. Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015

The airc Lq coiled on the drnm or ahccl a, a, a. This drum can rotate indcprcdently of the axle or it can be cldnlped to the axle ond made to rotate a-ith it. The arm cis uttxhed to a nut nhie6 works in a scrm on the axle. When the arm c is held in a 5xcd position ly rncam of the bolr'd, and thc handle is turned in the direction for paying out the wire, the disc b, b, b is lmened from the dNm, and the drnm is free to turn round independently of the axle. When thr handle is turned ia the dindion for ninding in the wire, the disc Is tightened up, and the dNm is clanipel to the axle. As soon as everything is ready for a east the handle is tttmed in the direction for ps).ing out tte wire. This releases the wiredrum, and allows the wire to run out. As soon 8s the sinker reachcs the bottom the handle is turned in the direction for h~iding-in. This clamps the wiredrum to the axle and prevents any more wire running out. The bolt d is then withdrawn, nnd the windhig-in of the wire procerdedrith. ITS ADVASTAGES IS PEACE ASD WAR. 85‘3 ’ sccnred a plaited rope. To this rope is seized in the centre a bmss guard tube, and to the end of the rope is attached the sinker, IiaTing ZL hole at tho bottom for the arming. Jnto the guard tube is introclnccd a glass tube, hermetically scaled at tho upper end, open at the lower, and colourcd internal11 by chromate of silrer. When ready for use, the wire is taken orcr a fair-lead on the stern- rail, and tho sinker Ion-ercd down over the stern. Us lifting the brake the sinker descends rapidly, the water forces its way into the glass tube, gx~duallycompressing tlie air in it, and decomposing the chromate of silver. Wlien the sinker is seen, or felt by the slackening of the re, to hare reached the bottom, tlie hb-e is put on, the wire is n-ound in, the tube taken out of the guard, arming examined, and placed in the scale (cnro bcing taken nerer to let the tube get out of thc vertical position). Tlic closed end of the tube is pressed sgainst tho brass plate on the top of the scale, and the depth of water is read off bj- the line in the tube, shoiringwliere decomposition of the chromate of silrer has ceased. Although I hare never worked with the prescnt improved Inachine, the principle is so much the same, that I do not think the diiffercnce in fittings need be considered. Thanks to Sir William Mends, I got one fitterl to H.3I.S. “Assist- ance ” in 1879, and had nearly three years’ work w-itli it. During that time, I think, we only lost one sinker, with a bmall quantity of wire ; and this from no defect in the instrument. On inquirj-, I find that both the original machine, tho improrcd, and tlie “ improved original” are largely in use in the mercantile marine, while a small number arc in use in the Royd Nary ; but the prescnt machine, “ the improred original ’’ as I term it, is that most in favour. I can imagine notliing better or simpler than the glass tubes. With care they will keep without serious deterioration for two or three years. Certainlp‘ I had some in H.1I.S. “Assistance” for over two pars, and I think only one or two lost their colour to any extent.

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 Before giving my own experience, I will mention that I have been in communication with a large number of tlie principal shipping firms, and only two of those.communicated with do not use the machine. H.M.S. “Assistance” is employed to carry troops from port to port in England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Channel Islands ; the greater part of the work being done during the winter months. Mnch bad weather, gales, and fogs were experienced, and the lend was in frequent use. \J’hen, to my pcat satisfaction, Sir Willinm Tliom- son’s sounding machine was first fitted, an Officer of peat experience shook his head oFer it, advised me not to trast it, and enumeiated i-arions defects. Tliis somewhat damped the feelings of the Narigat- ing Lieutenant and mrsclf, but, being both believers in tlie machine, wc determined to give it every trial. We soon found that, at any ntc, we got very good soundings by it; but it was not till we found SGO SIR WWzLLLhJI TIIOJISOX’S SOUNDn-G JIilCHISE : ourselrcs in a dense fog off Ald~rncy,standing off and on, that we realized wliat we owed to Sir William Thornson. Sliortly before 8 o’clock the Nayigating Lieutenant ran below to wind up the chro. nometers, and I went aft to sound, prior to revcrsing our course. h[y first soundings gave 70 fathoms, which surprised me. Immediatelp replacing the same tube I sounded again, getting 90 fathoms. I changed the tube, and got a decrease. I at once went to the bridge, looked at the chart, and saw vie wcrc undoubtedly crossing “ Hurd‘s Deep,” a long narrow deep off the Casquets. As I put the helm ofer tg stand out, the Navigating Lieutenant coming on deck just caught sight of the Casquet Rocks under the fog, for we had been set to the, westward more than we had expected. After this wo ncmr doubted Sir William Thornson’s sounding machine, but felt it was a guide,’ counsellor, and friend. On anotlicr occasion, when off tlie Land’s End on a winter’s night, we were caught in the most sewre gale I ever experienced in tho “ Assistanw.” The wind was from S.E.,backing, and wcatlicr very thick. \Ye were bound for Kingstown, and Iiaving the ship very full with troops, momcn, and cliildrcn, I decided to shape my course for Holyhead. We therefore steered for the Tuskar, sounding cvery hour or half-hour. We saw nothing of the Smalls Lighthouse or Tuskar, the weather being too thick, so we steered for Bardsoy Island, so as to kccp a 15-eatliershore ; but before making Bardsey, the wind flew round from N.E. to N.W., and I then decided to stem for the Codling Lightship. So satisfied were we of our position by soundings only, that we calculatcd tlic exact time, as the wcathcr q-as clcaring, that ive shonld see the light, and wc did actually soc it within 10 minutes of the time expected. I think this case proves that our soundings were correct an’c1 reliable; the7 were obtained without stopping the ship once, and the depthvaried from 40 to GO fathoms. By keeping a line of soundings we always knew our position, and thus were able to a-ioid “ lying to,” and the consequent risk of being run into. I could name an ironclad that some timc after this myas making for the Irish Channel, and got into bad weatlier between the Landk

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 End and Tuskar. Sot liking to tq- for the Tuskar she had to lie to and wait till the weather cleared. I need scarcely say she had no “Thornson” on board, and 1 should think, between coal and knocking about, she cost the coantry quite one-half the first cost of Sir William Thornson’s sounding machine. You will of course suppose she is possession of one nov. . Another time, bound for the Irish Channel, we wero caught in a dense fog when steering for the Lizard from the Start. We decided to rnn a line of soundings to a certain depth off the Lizard, and then to alter course to clear the outlying rocks off that point. So accurately did we carry this out, that we got our csnct soundings, altered course, heard the siren, and actually saw the sca breaking on tho rocks, by looking under the fog, our heads being level with the rail. .,Latter on. in the commission I pentioned this case to a Naripting ITS ADVASTAGES IS PEACE AXD WAR. SI; 1 Officer who liad just joined, and found that he had heard of it, and also that we liad found ourselves closer to the rocks than vie liad intended. I soon proved to this Officer that we had worked on a principle, and had ncrer run the slightest risk. I think in this case SOU will see the enormous adrantagc of tlic 6‘ Thomson ” in a fog at such poiiits as the Lizard or thc Longships,’ Tuskai; or any turning points in navigation. Instcad of having to stop and poke about to get liold of something-% lighthouse, fog- horn, siren, or lightship, a vessel may proceed steadily on her course. If all vessels could do this when moving up and down tlic Channel (Channel groping, as it is well called), how many disasters would Ix atvoided-how much fewer would be the number of collisions in fogs -how much less property lost-and \\-\-hata dccreasc we should IIRI-C in thc loss of life, and the consequent misery and suffering to widows and cliildren. Whilst so many strides hare been made in guns, arms, torpedoes, and in the art of killing, I know of no invention more calculated to mu-e life and propcrty afloat than Sir William Thornson’s sounding machine ; aud, considering the enormous cost , of biiilding ships, surely it is worth while to expend 251. on an instrument which wonlcl so greatly contribute to tlicir safety. J must apologize for giving you so niucli of my own experiencc, but I think facts are better than hearsoy evideuce, and I liopc 1liave pretty well proTed, by my personal erperiencc alone, the advantages of Sir William Thomson’s macliine in time of peace. But, before I torn to the second consideration, viz., the advantage in time of war, I would mention that the great number of large shipping firms wit11 whom I hare been in communication on this subject almost unani- mously speak in the liighest praise of this iurcntion. A Captaiii in one line of Atlantic, steamers says, “ I would not take comuiand of n ship in that trade without a ‘ Thomson ;”’ and an Officer in commalit1 of a P. and 0. steanier goes so far as to say, “ he would sooner go to sea without his chronometers than without his ‘ Thomson.’” I have heard objcctions raised to this most valuable instrument 011 account of alleged defects, such as kinking and breaking of the wire,

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 discoloration of tubes, and the failnre of tho brake. If the instructions sent irith the Eounding innchine arc followed, none of thcsc defects will arise. When they do, it is entirely due to the waut of knowledge on the part of those vioi*kingthe machine. Mcn mnst be instructed in thc use of this, just as ircll as in other machines. But tlic instructions sent with it are ample, and a rcry short course of instruction suffices. It can be giren with the ship at anchor in B modcmtc depth of water. In the “Assistance” by day, the work was generally done by the boatswain’s mate of the watch, one. seaman, and the soldier on tlic life-buoy, or a soldier reeler (if not too sick). By night a seaman took the place of the soldier. As a fact, I very often took the sound- iiigs niyself, but solely 3s a matter of interest! not from anynecessity It is of course well known that ressels do, as a fact, frequently run in fogs at a very high rate of speed, and I liare heard it objected m SlR KILLIAJI TROMSOS’S SOUSDlXG JLlCIIT?TE : that this invaluable sounding machine will still further tempt Officers to run at n dangerous speed. I do not see the strength of the argu- nieiit, but if you cannot check the high spced, suraly it is better to proridc every possible safcguard-and a safeguard is ccrtainlr found in providing a machine that will enable Oliicers to ruu a line of souncl- ings, and know where they arc going, rather than let them run blindly on, risking cverjthing, to a.rFoid losing the time taken in sounding bs the old sptem! To us in tlie Royal Navy, “ Watch, pass the line along ! ” was neyep a welcome iound; but consider what it means in sliort-handed sfeamers, rolling about in the trouqh of a sea, with floods pf watc15 rushing to and fro on the decks ! Think of sailing vessels making for the Chnnncl, or working down Channel with the crews they now haye ; consider what sounding means to flienz : shortening sail, and rounding to for one sounding, and then making sail agiiin-all Iiancls perhaps wet through in doing it. Can it be supposed that an Officer in command of onc of those splendid four-masted sailing ships, home- ward bound from Australia, Iiidia, or tho Pacific, making for the Channel with a fair galc and thick weather, will feel muell inclined to liearc-to repeatedly to sound, when once he lms pacsed the 100-fathoms liue ? Does hc not try and slio~e0x1, though possibly doubtful as to his exact position, and tlic eountrj- is startled by the new of a terrible clisnsterat sea, and mnnj homes are made dcsolatc bj tlic lossof libcs unneccssaiily sacrificed. If owners would but see it, them is available €or tlieir ships a sub- stitute within tlic 100-fathonis line, for liglitliouses, buoys, and Iieacons, and their ships would be steered in safety until a pilot was secured ! What Officer who has serrcrl in Her Jlajesty’s sailing ships, or has handled the long ships of tlic prcseut daj- under sail, fails to remember the amount of labour entailed, tlic number of men wet to tlie skin, and often damage to the ship, caused bj ronnding-to in a ale of wind or strong breeze, to gct soundings, to say nothing of the loss of time and position iucurred in the process P Some of us, 1 daresay, have heard of vessels finding themselves off Lundy Island instead of off tlie Start, but with a “ Thornson” onboard

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 I do not think such a mishap would be possible, prodded alwnys’a lino of soundings were carried out, beginning, saj, at every two hours, and decreasing the intervals 21s water got less and the land was ncarcd. It is useless to put off sounding until near danger. Tlie method of (L lino of soundings should be the rule, and only by that means can perfect confidenee bc gained. I know of one instance where a flag ship on a foreign station, fitted with a “Thornson” of the condcmncd pattern, lost the sounder, and not liai-ing a sparc one on board, tlie Admiral had to depend for soundings upon an Officer in command of another ship, who had purchased one at his own expense.‘ !Chis instance also showed the great ndmntage of being able to soiind when sailing or steaniing at n high speed in line nhcad, aliieh can be done aitLout checking the speed of n squadron. ITS ADTAXTAGES LX PEACE ASD WAR. 863 Ccrtainlr, all ironclaiis aro having them fittcd as they rccommis- sion, hlany ships, ho~evcr,,rccommissionabroad, and so do not get them ; but I would liavc every ship in Her Najcsty’s Service fitted with onc, and I am surc that it would be equally desiiable that all vessels employed in the transport service should be supplied with it. An Officer who used the appamtus for six years when in command of a steamer running htwccn England and thc United States, says : ‘‘ Carrying mails and passengcrs as we did, it u-as important to make a quick-passagc and at the same time incur no risk; I had therefore to run sometimes nearly 1,000 miles by the lcnd alone ; and as wit11 Sir William Thomson’s mcwliine therc was no need to stop for a cast, I took one every two hours, noting log.” A most useful instpa. ment in connection m-ith Sir William Thornson’s. macliine is the taffrail log. The samc O5cer states that he found the soundings of tlic United States surrey beautifully accurate, but those to the enst- ward were in some instances incorrect, and the banks badly defined. By the aid of a “ Thornson,” this Officer brought from Bclfast to Liver- pool a new steamer, 430 fcct long, wlien tlie fog was so dense that no fewer than six coasting steamers ran ashore j and several tinies a conversation was licld bctwcen those on board the steamer and those on board other vcsscls that could not be seen! Notn-itlistanding thc denseness of the fog, tlic bar lightship \+-as made, and the vcsscl successfully taken up the 11Icrscq-. When you consider the work done by Her llajcst4y’sships in all plirts of the world, I think uiuch useful information mi$& bc gained if O5cers made use of the “ Thornson,” and reported the rcsnlt. 1 find that some of the Commanders OE the Atlantic steamers keep a regular record of their soundings in crossing, and some keep specimens of the bottom wlicn they can be detached from the arming. For myself, I cannot but think that this indoable invention should be seriously considcrcd by the Board of Trade and all insurance offices; vessels over a certain tonnage should be made to carry and use it. I believe that much miglit be done to rcduee the number of collisions in tlie English Channel and round tlic coasts of Great

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 Britain if vcssels steering to the mcstn-ard were made to keep in one liue of soundings,’and vessels bound east in another line. All the advantngcs that I hnvc adduced in fsvoor of Sir William Thomson’s soundicg machine in time of peace are doubled. nay, trebled, in time of war. A sqnxdron or a vcsscl on approaching an enemy’s coast miglit find lights extinguished and buoys and beacons removed. The whole succcss of an expedition might tnrn npon the nrri-ial at a certain point at a given time of a fleet of ships of war and trimsports laden with troops. Time is precious, troops arc urgently wanted, and thick weather comes on. WOIY, unless every vessel is able iudependently to keep her position by soundings, dclay is inevitable. Each vessel is compelled to depend on her own rcsourccs, and what, I may ask, in such a case conld be of more infinite ralne than a “ Tlioiiison’s ” sounding machine i’ Should there be a limited number odj- of these machines in the flcet, tlic cudearours to make known $64 SIR .WILL1831 TH03fSON’S SOUXDIXG YACHISE : the soundings by sircn woulci inevitably lend to confusion and dis- cowry to the cncmy. Consider tlic case of R ship-or-war in cliaso of a vcsscI, tlic weather thick, lights and buoys removed. Can tlierc?be any doubt as to the rcsult of n chase in slinllow waters and, dangerous ground, provided one resscl cnriics R “ Thomson” and the othcr does not ? Give it to tlic rcsscl clinscd ; shc will carry her linc of sound. ings, know licr position, lend her cncmy into danger, and prclbnbly wreck her, while slie will be sxfe herself, unless indce4 thc Com- maurler of thc chaser is prepared to go blindly on, for of course when once he stops to sonnd by thc old system the chaw may be said to be over. Tnkc again the case of a vessel conrcying important informntion to an Adaiirnl or tlie Admiralty, and making np 01’ across the Channcl in R fog. Shc certainly will not decrease speed if she can avoid it, and tlic nccessit1 of sounding need in war be thc onlF clicck OL speed in any emergency. With Sir William Thomson’s machine n resscl would carry n linc of soundings for the nearest telcgrnpli station, and run %-itlioutstopping. Witliout a macliinc a vessel can only run up to R certain time, when she most sound; Iicr position crcn thcn is un- certain, and time, of all things ralnable in war, will be lost. How oFten in xai- timc it bccomcs necessary to gct R line of sound. ings off some fort or well-guarded position. To do this with tlic old hard lead would be fatal, whilst a ‘‘ Tliomson” might be fittcd to n boat and soundings taken eitlicr bF day or by night in n wry short timc. Captain Singleton, of H.3I.S. “Jumna,” told me that Ire found Thornson’s apparatus invaluablc amongst the shoals and reefs in the Rcd Sen, in the vicinity of Suakim and Tiinkatat. Also Staff- Comronnder Colc gave me n most intcl-csting description of tlic navigation of the ‘(Borthampton,” flying the flag of Sir Leopold 1cIcClintock, when in dense fogs on ths Korih American Station. It is dlknown that at certain tinics of the year tho Baltic is subject to dcnsc fogs; and I need scarcely sap that the Russians, with their usual appreciation of advance (whether scientific or otlicrmisc), have provided all their ships with a. Thomion’s sounding mnchinc. The Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 French hare not been behindhand in securing this important inrcn- tion for tlie benefit of their Nary ; and I haw heard of a French squadron making remarkable nsc of it, each ship working her own marhi~ie. , If f3rcign Powers so tlioronglily npprcciate this raluable inrention, should ‘not we, who linrc the honoiur of claiming tlic. distinguished inventor as our countrjman, accept with pridu and gratitudc tlic priceless lioon offered us, as a SU~Cand ccrtain guido for thc sailor in the most difficult and daqgcrous portion of his voyngc? I muqt plead your kind indulgence for the many defects in this pzpcr, but n sudden call to active servicc has prcrcntcd my bestowing a11 tlic timc and labour I could have wished on a sul?jcct I talic so deep au intercst in, and which so ital all^- conccrns the shipping interest of this great country. . I maintain, in conclusion, that of late years no man Zlns done more ITS ADTilSTAGES IX PElCE AXD WAR, SG5

for thc safety of tlic mariner than Sir William Thomson by this ill- yciition, and to him are due tho grateful tlianks of a11 “that 60 down to the sea in ships, and occupy their busiiicss in great wateis.”

APPENDIX.

KO. 1. The Unirersity, Glnrgow, near Capt. Duckle, ?\Larch I6t11, 18%. I hare received your letter of the 14th, and thank ~ou‘cry milch for the kind interest you takc in my Sounding Jlncliinc. I cannot but ngreo with yon tlint it is not sufliciently used cren in sliips provided nitli it,and tlint those who liavc it, hare not been etiUicicntlc instructed to allow them to usc it ivitli intclligcnce. A few (lays ngo I lieard from on Ofliccr (only a soldier howxcr) a110Iia, sccn it uscd in the * * ‘* that they could not use it nt night, bcaiuw they had not light to read tho sc;ale! I‘ Kinks in tlic Hire” cierer occur when the bnkc cord, &C., arc used according to the printed instructions. My nephew (W.Dottomley) will send you some printed papers and rcfcrcnccs rcgarding’tlie Sounding Jlachinc. If there is anytliing else in the way of information or otIicr\visc we can d.0 in respect to your p:ipcr at, the United Service Institu- tion, \re sliall be most happy to do it. If you would like to hare n Sounding JZnchinc to show, ire sliall hare one sent, with specimens of gauge tubes as nctudly itmrked for different depths. Believe me, Tours rery truly, WILLIAXTnomos.

KO. 2. Tlic University, Glnsgow, Ilmr Sir, 3Iarch 24tl1, 188L In reply fo your letter of the ZotIi, tIlc pricc of tlic Sounding Jracliinc aliicli we

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 now mnke is 251. TI& mncliinc is uscd ivitli citlier the glnss tubes or the depth gauge, blit reT few of the dcpth gauges itre wcd now, and almost all the macliines hare glass tubes supplied n-itli them. The glass tubes nnsacr wrs well, and we find that snilors do not like to trnst the clcptli giiugc to tlie wire for fcar of thc line carrying away. They prefer to hare a supply of the glass tubes on board. If the line breaks and tlicy lox n glass tubc nntl sinker, it i3 not u serious matter as regards erpcnsc. Wc alwajs reconinwnd the glass tubes now, as n-c tliink it most, important tlint sailors sliould not liave any hcsi- tittion in taking a sounding at any time. The depth gauge i$ un expensive U~trn- xncnt, costing GI., and if sailors knox there is R clii~nccof losing (il. in taking u cast of the Icad, thy would bc incliucd to put off sounding a3 long a3 possible. If you are in London you can see ihe prcwnt form of Sounding 3IacIiinc at Messrs. Lillcy and Son’s, 9, London-street, Fenchurch-street, London, E.C. If. i3 probnblj different from tlic one you Itad on board tho .‘ Assistance.” I think jour paper for the United Service Institution might, be made rerj inter- rcsting if JOU were to give your experience on bold the *‘ Assistance,” nnd urge on the Institution the importance of frequent soundings heforc. there is nny elrum of the sliip being in danger. ITS ADTilSTAGES IX PElCE AXD WAR, SG5

APPENDIX.

KO. 2. Tlic University, Glnsgow, Ilmr Sir, 3Iarch 24tl1, 188L In reply fo your letter of the ZotIi, tIlc pricc of tlic Sounding Jracliinc aliicli we

Mnny snilors ~~onldbo E~TC~ a pat deal of trouble and anxiety if they ma& rule of aliva.Fs taking soundings periodically shtn they are in mtcr of 100 fathoms or lees, whcthcr the wcalhcr is clear or thick. Tours truly, JV. BOITOULEY,Jun.

KO. .3. The Unirmity, Glwgow, Dcrr Sir, JIarCl1 2Sth, 1S81. I hare receircrl your letter of tlie 26t11, and am rn~~chobligcd to JOU for telling me diattho Capbin of thc “ Yucatan” says. I bclicrc he is riglit in siring that damp does injure tlic chromate of silrer, but. if the tubes hrc properly looked after nncl kept in a dry plncc, tiiq beep good for a long time. Tlic salts of silrer arc rnther easily clccompoaed if cxposccl to liglit, and if \recould get another mom stable chemical i.s suitable for them-ork a3 chromate of silrer, KC wvould use it. The mark is made by tlic action of the dtof the sen water on the cliromate of eilrer, SO tliat brackish or fre3hiratcr will not nct on the tubes. If it m-ere nceessary, we couId prepare spceinl tubes for fresh water. Wc would then cwt the tubes with I)russiatc of potash, and put some solution of sulplinte of iron into the guard tube. The sulplinte of iron would rise in the glass tube with incrcasc of prcssurc, mid ccting on the prusainte of potash would coat tlic tube blue. This irns tlic original way of coating the tubes, and it arwn-cred rcry wAl, but then: aas the trouble of alir-nj-sputting some solution of sulpliatc of iron into the guard tube. TIic chro- mite of silvcr tubes could bc used in fresh water by plugging up the hole in the gunnl tube and putting sonic salt water in it before taking tlrc sounding. JIany bdor3 object to the rope bnke, but I don’t think they kntc any good reason for their objection, except tlint it is a new tlilng for them. Prom our espcrience of it, we tliirik it work3 r.r?.rxwell indeed. Wc are just now expcrinienting with 3 new bmkc which, if EUCCeS8fU1, the snilors may like bftter, as it Ira3 not the&opc. The wire beniv about. 8 or 9 times tlie patest strain that is pot on it, eren with a sudden clieck, and I don’t think it woiild ever break with a fair pull in practice, unless it lias i kink or lins been allowcd to rust tlirougli carelessness. In ninny cases where it has been propcrly kept, it has lasted for two or thee prs. Sours truly, \V. BOTTOULEY,Jun.

KO. 4. Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 Continuous Use of Sir William Thoinron’s Soundixg Xarhine.for Rapid Soundinp, when nedr dore or within 100jathoms in Thick Nlenlher. Kcep the machine going incessantly; two men working it and one to reliere. As soon as tlic sinker comcs up, lct it go again without using a glass gai~getube ereg time. Jndgc the depth ns mcll ns you mn from the length of the i-iirc out, as slionn by the counter. Use a ghcs g.wp tube ercrJ- third or fourth cast, or not EO often, or oftener, accoiding to judgment.

KO. 5. Peninsular and Oriental Steam Kaription Company, OEccs, 128, Leadcnlinll Strcet, Dear Sir, London, E.C., 18th March, 1885. In reply, we beg to my.that Sir William Thornson’s Sounding BI~chincsit11 tiibes, wli~elilias quite taken the place of the old deep sea lead, is in constant ufie on board all the steamers of our fleet, and gives the utmost satisfaction. The reports ITS ADTXXTAQES IN PEACE ASD WAR. S(i7

received from the Comnmnders and Officcrs bear undcrinting testimony to its practical \due.

near Sir,

necessary. JIy orm opinion and experience is, that the instrument may be used nt n Fpeed cf 10 to 12 knots. With soundings of froni 40 to 50 fathoms Kith increasing deptli, the rpeed must be proportionately reduced. This rule is generally followed bj- niy brother commanders. It is a most rduablc instrument, but must be used with intelligent seamanlike judgment. I urn, dear Sir. Fnitlifullp yours, Jo~rsC. ALXOSD, P. and 0. S. N. Company. so. 7. Union Line. Cap of Good Hope, Katal, and East African Royal31ail Serricc. Union Steam Ship Company. Linrited. Dear Sir, Southampto:~,-IB~h&Iarcli, 185 t. Tn reply to your separate letter on this subjcet, all our ships tire fitted nit11 Sir 1%’.Thomaon’s Sounding Blncliine, and I hare he3rd no opinion erpreased nrlver-c to their use. I do not know which machine is supplied, but I understand it is the one descrikd in enclosed pamphlet. I return Captain Buckle’s letter. Yours truly, W. R. DIXOX, Superintendent. No. 8. Xississippi and Dominion Steam Ship Compnny, Limited,

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 Harvey Buildings, 2-1, Jnmes Street, Dew Sir, Liwrpool, 26th March, 185%. Your farour of yesterday to hnnd, nnd in nnsmr beg to say that we showed Four Jetter to Captain F. D. Uouchette of our steamer ‘‘ AIontreal,” nnd Captain C. J. Lindall, S.S. “ Farnia,” and they both speak very farourably of Sir TTilliarn Tliom- son’s Sounding Nuchine. Each of these Commanders is in the Jlontrral trade, during the season, nnd say tliey hare never experienced any difficulty in obtaining soundings in any portion of the St. Lawrence. Norre of our Kern Orleans Cornmnnders nrc in port at present. Tours truly, FLISS,~UAIX, d: ?JOSTQOME~T. No. 9. White Star Line. 3$, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.; 37, Broadmy, Kern York. Dear-. Sir. 10, Water Street., Liwri)ool. 16th JIurch. 183$. In re& to your inquiry addresaed to our Lon‘lon O~CC,k.e beg to &te tht .zilliY SIR WILLIAJI TIIOJISOS’S SOUSDISC’ XICHINE :

Sir William’Tlionison’s Sorinclicg 3Incliinc 1133 teen in us0 for dcc em eouniling3 on bod of tlic IVhiIe Stx- sllip for n wry considerahlo time, nnd.f;3s bcrn found to girc rcry sntisfnctory results. In npproncliing tlic lnnd, Iiowcrcr, in thick wcathcr, flic Commnndcra nrc rcquirctl to take ircquent eoiindinjis yith tho lead quite rcgnrtllcrs of tho delay which inay bc tlicreby occasioned, using tlic pntcnt 03 an nuxilbry clicck only. Soun faithfully, ISMAT,IUBIE, 8 CO.

KO. 10. Allnn Line, Cnnarla nnil Unitcd States Royal Mnil Stmmcrs City Line of Stcamcm to Cnlcuttn nnd Ilombny. Drnr Sir, 19, Jnmes Strcct, Lir-rrpool, 16th MIWII, 188:. In rcply to >our fivonr of 14th instant, Sir \Vi\liarn Thonizon’a Soulidinq 3Incliinc ig in us0 in nll oiir innil dcnniere, and is rcq liiglilr spoken of. \Ye hayc tlie first machines in iioc, but irc am nwrc the more rcccnt ones hnrc.bcen mi. aidernblj improred. Yours trul1, R. Tirorn-. xo. 11. Alhn Line, Cnnadn mid Cnitcd Statcs Rojnl31ail Stcamcrj. Cits Lincof StcnnicrJ to Calcutta nnd Bombay. Dear Sir, 19, Jnrnca Strcct, Lircrpool, 29111 BInrcli, 1851. Our Siipcrintcndcnt informs iis that lic 113s frrqucntlx used the mncbiric in the St. I,arrrcncc, nntl foiiiid no difficultf gctting soundings, rclyingmoro on tile prcsiurc. than on niturc of tlic untcr. Your3 truly, R. T11ous.

KO. 12. Pacific Stcnlu Sayigntion Company, Dew Sir, 31, Janics Strcct, Lircrpool, 2lst blnrcll, 169L I hare now to’ my that Sir \VilIiaui TEoinspi~,’~ Sounding 3Iacbinc is in wc on oiir diiys, both tlic old and liter t pe, nnd tins girm ccrr great satisfnction, tlie Coinmanders rcporting highly of the fatter, nnd also nt tlie older tjpo of mncliiue. TOUNfnitlifull J. ,I?WILLIAUS. KO. 13.

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 Jnniej 110~3nnd Co., 31, Jnmcs Strcet, ?ear Sir, Jircqmonl, 17th JInrcli, 1RSI;. Wc Iiaro had onlr on0 of Sir W. Tliomson’s Sounding Jlnchincs in us0 on bard nnr steamers. It was supplied to tlie “ Cnnopus,” tlicn running betwcn here sncl ]<&ton, and wns rcportcd on rcrj farourably w rcgistcring correct eounding~\ride tlie ship n-m going nt full spccd. l-ours trulr, JA;ES mss d; CO., Per G. Y. Cook. KO.14. Dcnr Sir, Forinhy, I.nr.casliirc, 20th Mnrcl~,16s 1. In reply to roum of tlic lith inst., I hnie to rtatc that I bmmandd a trading stcnnier in 1110 Lirerpool nnd Bostoii tradc f.>r’nbovctwo jcars, during \rliicli time I constnntly used Tliomson’s Sounding Jlncl~inc,niid out\rnr& and Iion~,kvnrd~I took tho Xortliern passage, tici Cup RDCC,which I darc not l~arcdonc without this riilu;lblc patent. I rcgrct hariiig p;irtcd with my soundings, or 1 would ;,are icnt ITS ADVASTAGES LV PEACE ASTI Wi\R. 8G9

them to IOU, and I had an interesting collection of some hundreds of snmples of blic bottoin takcu 111’ to 120 fatlioiiw, and by using an arming of white Icad, I haye been able to bring up amall stone at tlic abort? grcat depth, and after coinparing samplcs of one rojagc with a following one, I could tiinlie accrtnintFof the position; for cxaiiiple, off Sable Island, ypu liar0 bctwcn 70 and 20 fathoins tlirce.diFcr~.~,t kind3 of sand, the rery fine being on tlic shoal \niter. I seldoril lost n sinker xvit], any old Iiand at the work, and with u carcfol imtch to stop the runilinz, and directly the bottom was touclred, there was no fear of tlie airc girinz \ray, and should the bottom prorc to be rock, on placing tlie diitc Icad wining iinrlcr a strong $ass, thewas the indent marked to assure me of correct soundings. I licrer made but one mistake whilst using this machine, and that was under the follomng circumstances: whilst running out of the North Clianncl during a thick fog at full sl,ceci, say 12 knots per hour, and mitli hardly two men in tlic watch for this kinc1.of n-ork -say chief officer on the bridge, niyscli on tlic saloon dcck (deck under the biidge), anothcr man to listen from the lowrr dcck, the usual tROloO~olltJforward, with tliird oEcer at the eod, to see that course was made good. I was approicliing the Kar- rows wlien I rcliered the third mate witll’tlie boatswiin,pnd sent that olliccr to get cist of the lead. He Came back and reported that he H~Snot sure, but he tlioiight Ifail Pnckcta Compnny, Limited. ‘fie Cnstlc Shipping Company. The Lirerpool and Hnmburgli Steam Ship Company. 3 and 4, Fenrhiircli Street, London, E.C., Denr Sir, 27th Jfnrch, 1681. In reply to your note of the 26th inetnnt, we bcg to inform yon that Sir\William Thomson’s Sounding Xachinc is used by our line, and thnt we use the ghss tuhep in prcferenee to the apyamtns x~ithtubes and sinker combined, the former being more fnroiirnbly spoken of by our Officers. We understand that Sir Wm. Thomjon pcrsonnlly nleo prefero tbc former apparatus. We are, dew Sir, Yours trulg, DOXALDCUREIE 6; Co.

3-0. 17. Mcssre. Gray, D~RCS,and Co., Agents, D. I. 8. h’. Co., Limited. 13, Austin Friars, London, E.C., Dear Sirs, 22nd April, 185s. In reference to tho enclo~edletter from Captain Buckle, R.N.. my experience of Sir 1%’. ‘Thomson’s Soimding Slachine, which I invariably use, is ttnt 60 fathoins can be attnincd nt 10 to 11 knots speed. I linre nerer had occasion to take a deeper mat nt such a high rate of spced. I can nlwnjs rely on tho ~oiindings. A dcfectire tubo fills with water, and is cagily detected, all the colouring matter bcing waslicd oat. I hare always found x smill percentage of the tubes fail to kcep their colour, but so small 5s to be praeti- eally of no rrccoont. I hare ncrer found the elimnte to sffcct them, at Icast during the time when we Jiarc tkcm in stock, say 12 months. I remnin, dear Sirs, Tours f&ithfully, (Sd.) J. C. SHARP, Commander S.S. ‘(Ooorkah.”

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 No. 18. The Xntionnl Steam Ship Company, Limited, Dru Buildings, Sir, 21, Water Street, I.ivcrpo$ 18th March, 1891. In reply to your note we use Sir Wm. Thomson’s first Sounding Nnehinc (rcel- wire and glass tubes), and same is well spoken of by our Captains. Yours truly, J. Q. LM’QLASDS, General bfanagcr. xo. 19. The Orieni, Steam Xaription Compnny, Limited, 13, Peicliurcli Avenue, London, K.C., Dear Sir, 17th SJarch, 1SY.l. In replr to jour letter of the 16th inst., we hare Sir William Thornson’s Sound- ing JIaeliine in our two newest steamers, the “ AuEtrd” and “ Orient:’ and it is rery wc*ll reportedon ; the onlydrn\sback to i:s UEC is the oncrrtninty of getting tllc aoiuldings, owing to the wire breding; it is not Wicrefore thoroughly to be ITS AUVANTAQES IN PEACE A-VD WAR. 871

depended upon. The old led and line .should always be on board and rcady for use. Our machine is the original Sinkcr; the improrcd one is considered too expensire. Yours faithfullyJ 9. WASMOUTH, Sccretary.

Ex€ract'$r+*&&%f+ Cetain, R.N. " Take the mcof a long stcam sped, how much ground she rr011111 1ia~eto pass orer to get n reliabl~%%%e old system, necceeitating dcadei1- ing of her way, whereas the ' Don,' West India Moil steamer, going 15 knots, got soundings in 70 fathoms with Sir William Thomson's Sounding Mxhine, wit11 two men only.'' No. 21. Extract from a Letter of a Staff Commander, B.N. " I am glad to my tliat I can gire you any information you may require about Sir William Thomwn's Sounding Machine. I' Wc had two fitted on board H.Y.S. * * during the whole cominis- sion, and as the fogs in North America are wry dense and frcquent, you will readily understand that our experience in the use of these machcs was by no means small. 1 coneider it to be onc of the most useful instruments crcr supplied to a ship. It i3 inrduahle-in fact, when n man knows and cnperiences how extremely eimple it i3 in its working, and accurate in its results, he shwd&re t.0 think of thc RlUOUnt. of labour that was required to get n line of soundings aith the old deep eea lead aud line. '' Of the two kinds, I wry much prefcr that with the chemically prepowd tubes ; me had them in the * * ;the only objcchion is that the chemical pre- paration deteriorates with age. Woleft England with a large supply of glass tubes, which lasted during the nhole commiseion. During tlie lnet yew, howerer, the red colour in the tubes bectlinc rather indistinct; but only in a few caws was it ncces- eary to cliangc the tube and takc a second cast. I' The great adrantage of the glaes tube is that each one may be considered R separate sounding appnntus ; for instance, if the liae carries away, and the sinker and tube are lost, it is simply neceeenry to bend on another of each, and gou are again complcte ; but with the new apparatus, if the line carries away the whole thing is gone, and gou hare nothing to fall back on but the old-fashioned, untrust- Horthy 'patent lead.' " I pointed this out to Sir William Thomeon lapt summer, and I understood him

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 to WJ that he quite recognized it, and that thc glaes tubcs would be again issued in preference to the new machine. " I am strongly of opinion that Sir Wm. Thomaon's Sounding Machine shonlri he supplied to all ships. In fact, when the great advantages of simplicity, quick. ness in obtaining soundings, wcuracy, and economy of labour, are taken into consideration, it is ditfcult to understand why this ueeful instrument hns not been added to the establishment of ercry ship in the Serrico. " If you hare not been shipmates with it, I ma? mention thnt all the manual labour required to work it is two men besides the qunrtcrmaeter, nlthough the ship may be going at any speed."

Admiral Sir EBASXUSOXXAXNEY, F.R.S. : The mcrits of Sir William Thomson's Foundingmac1,ine nre too well established to require any testimony either from me or anyoneehe, but still, hnring seen the utility of it, I may perhaps sny one word. 011 one occaeion when coming along in the " Sorata," one of the Orient line, at 15 knots' Tot,. XXYIII. 3L f 72 SIR,WTLLIAM "€TOKIN'S SOURDIXG MACFIIKE :

aped, on entenng the Clmnnel aff Uehant we fell in with a strong liorth-cast Sa;le of wind with rcrF thick weather ; we could hardly ECC a mile distance. They con- tinued, however, to drive the ship 9 knots an hour againet a trcmendoue gale and prescrred her course, taking soundings without checking the engines in the slightcet degree or making any deriation. We obtained accurate soundings every hour, and were able to mnko Pljmouth Sound before sunset, thus saving the night, which mas of rcry great importance. I am quite sure thnt had m-e not been provided with this machine we should hurc lost the night altogether. So accmte were the soundings, that the master had the greatest confidence in the nmigntiou of tho ship, and made Eddjstone Likhthonae with the greatoet precision. I was greatly struck upon that weasion with the extreme value of this eounding machine to navigation; and I think no ship navigating dong our coaets should be nithout it. Captain CLIET13: We appear to bc coming back to the old sjstem of led, laeiturle, nnd a good look out. We hnrc constant fogs in the North Sea and in the Atlantic, and as the mail 'steamers cannot stop, I think the use of the lead and the registratiou of soundings ia invaluable when obtainable. A steam vessel bound from Ijilboa to the Bristol Channel had to make Lundy Island. In that cme the caulker after caulk- ing the deck3 at Bilboa waa good enough to reverse the magnets, and the master of this vessel found himself off Ushant instend of off Lundy. If he had had one of the50 sounding machines he would hare sounded and hare detected kis position sooner. On one occasion I was put in B gunboat in the Mediterrnncan, and had 2% hours' notioe to go to Tripoli and Bengmi. The ressel hnd a set of men put on board of whom I knew notking. I had to stow coal and prorision her. I said 1 should liko the cornpea to be adjusted, but the master attendant told me gun- boats' compsesos nerer required any adjustment. I took him at his word, and s+nrted for Tripoli. It came on rery thick when I should be off Tripoli, and I took soundings, standing off to 50 fJtlioms and in to 10 fathoms. I hnd to stand off z~idon a couple of dsjs. I mde out a mnmbout tower, but marabout towen arc 60 much alike that thnt did not gire me much information. We got there at lest, and tliere I had to 8djUSt the compaeaea. In coming back sou do not get soundings nt 100 fathome between the mainland nnd Malta in mid-cbanncl. Tlrere is a volcanic reef between Sicily and Malta, and this sounding mnchine, in making that channel, would be -rev useful indeed. As to the numbcr of these tubes carried in mumeying resseb, they should hare 8 good supply. If a Quartermaster brought one of them up the companion ladder and someone came rushing down, in all pimbnbility, unless they were in 8 guard, they would be broken. I think, therefore, the tubes should be kept in racks or some kind of pard. I undentund tknt the North Sea fishermen find their way about their fishing grounds entirely by the Icad. %'hey go in fleets from Grimsby and Hull, nnd I think if the Admiral's ship ncre proridcd aith one of those instruments it would be a cery good thing, and mould reliere other skippers of a gent deal of anxiety and trouble.' When Sir William Thonison wua cxpkining this instrument here, he said ho could not get tbc ordinary deep 8ea lcad down over the quarter of the 'I Liradia ;" that the screw knocked it Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 first to one side and the reflux to the other, it danced about in the rush of waters EO madly that he had to proride a lend in tho form of a steeljard weight before he conld get it down. Mr. Bottomley, hoverer, mid that in nn ordinary ship that lcad answered erey purpose. On the question of speed I ennnot altogether agree nith Cnptain Buckle, and although YOU hare a sounding machine, I think certninly coming up the Cliannel in a fog you should not exceed 7 or 8 knots. You must kcrp a certain amount of way on a large vessel in order to hare it in command. I hare heard it said in tliis Institution that you should slow a wssel for ramming, but I should say give her ae much speed as you possibly can. Admiral BOYS: May I ask if Sir William Thomson's instrument is not on the establishment of stores of all ships? Admiral CnAnLs3 &I. BUCSLE : 1am well nqunintcd with this instrument, but I Itare not had much use. of it. I should like for o. moment to refer to o circumstance that occurred tome many yearn a:o. I hod lo take a sloop I commbnded at 'that time up the Tnlnwan Pawnge from Laboan to Xauilla. The neather wad exceedingly bad; it wls not only very thick, but it rained for 24 hours to such an extent oa to be exactly the same a8 a fog. I went straight and went clear, but I had Fery grcat ITS ADFAITAGES IN PEACE AXD WAR. a73

anxiety, because during the wholc time there waa a strong hcad wind, and coral Rhoals wero on either side, particularly on tlie off shore side, and if I had gone on on0 of those I should probably not hnre got off again. Sounding as continuous, and I remember on that occasion losing more than one lead and line in the dark by it3 happening to catch under a clutch outside the ship for tho purpoae of hanging a plug for the discharge pipe upon, and altogether I went through about as miich anxiety in tlioee 24 hours 88 could well full to tlic lot of any Officer in command under rimilnr circumstances. I did not stop the ship to sound, becauae her speed was very slow, and therefore there was no necceeity for stopping. If I had had Thomson’s sounding machine on board I should hare bcen quite at ease, but 08 it was, I had a very anxious time of it. Commander HULL:I think the thanks of the Ecrricc should be given to Captain Buckle for calling attention to this valuable instrumcnt, as pcrhnpa it may be the means of getting it more largely uscd in the,Royd Xiuvy. Since lSS0 Iha~e been in constant connection with the 3Icrcantile Marine for the purpose of correcting their charts, and I find that hardly any ncll found steamship ioes to ecn wit1iOUL Sir William Thornson’s sounding machine. A11 Captains in the Mercantile Marine who hare used the machine, without any exception, speak of it in the same high tenne aa Captain Buckle has done. The attention of the modem naval Officer might perhaps be more alire to the important business of sounding and piloting. I think we hare shorn marc energy on our guns and ships than on thb affair of’ sonnding. Guns on board ship, no matter how etfcctire, arc of little eerrice unlcss the Captain is piiot enough to put his ship into a position to use those guns. The facility which this excellent machine of Sir William Thomson’s girce to ercry sailor of obtaining that most important item in nnrigation--thc depth of water hc is in-and to use that knowledge and fcel his way, as a beetle would use hia antcnnm, would not only prcrent many accidents and much expenditure of coal, but would bc of inralunble service in case of war. Tho remarks contained in tho pnpcr arc SO terse and so good that I can make but little addition to them. I am very pleased to see at the end of the paper the numerous tbstimoniuls from gentlemen of thc Yerantile &larincand those connected with it, showing how thoroughly Sir William Thornson’s machine is appreciated in our merchant nary, and I hare no doubt when the paper gets into tho hands of our new Hjdrographer, something will be done towarch the general supply of this much wanted instrument to the Rojal IVavy. Sir EBASX~SOXMAXXEY: I may mention onc great adrantage with regard to thcsc tubes, Tiz., the valunble eridenco which is obtained and nhirh can be retnincd. If anybody is to be tried by court-martial, this tube cnn be produced, and that will $re iou the precise depih of watcr. CaDtain C. Jonasros~.R.N. : I think the ndrantagc of Sir William Thomson’s mnclh is unquestionably rccognizcd by erery &faring man : there cannot be two opinions with read to that, and perhaps the small attendance lmc to-dsF may be accounted for by the fact thnt the raluc of it i3 so thoroughly understood that people may imagine that there is not much to be said on tho Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 subject. It far surpasses any other machinc, and I certainly cannot imil&m how any Captnin can go to eea mthout one. I1 has been added by the Admiralty to the establishment of all ironclad ships, that is to ~37,the Capta,i~can liarc nhicherer lie plesees, Sir William Thomson’s machine or the Alassey. lhe chief adrantage of this machine unquestionably is in deep water; in shallow watcr I suppose it would not be EO convenient. It is in deep water that it shows a great adrantage OWE the Masscy, because the 3Iussq cannot be dcpcndcd upon at a great depth. I think this qucjtion of soundings has bcen soincwrhat neglected in the Knry; 1 do not mean to say that Faral O5cer3 underratc the question of soundings, but all the details in connection with it have unquestionably bimi neglcctcd. In 20 or 30 fntlioins ?oil can kcep on sounding with Mas~cj’slead 6th the grcatcst case, but I think thk is rather orerlookcd in thc Service. I had the good fortune to sen-c a EliOrt time in a surrqing ship, and rn7 attention was drawn to the method of sounding8 adopted. There is tlie pentest possible difFercnec between tlie mctliod of sounding in a sumeying sliip and in sny othcr. The lcadsman sound9 in n different way ; the soundings m-ith the 3Iassey mnchine are carried on in a different way ; and I think it k a rery great pity that some improrcd system is not introduced into tLc Service. 3~2 I 874 SIR RILLI-IJI THOMSOS’S SOUSDISG JIACIIIXE :

Our present Hydropplier (Captain Whnrton) wrote a book on surveying some time ago, in which he points out several defects in our present system, and I think it wddbe 3 wry good thing if the attention of the Service were dram to that. One especial point he there mentioncd WM that when the ship gets into Shallow water and the leadamon is unable to get his soundings, that is to say, he has got 80 much line out that lie cnnnot tell what his soundings are, he should invariably en11 out immediately “Shallow water!’’ He cannot read off his line, because there is po lllrlcll slnck, and he shouts out “Shallow water!” at once. That is the sptcm generally carried out in surveying ships, but it is unknown in my man-of-war. 1 haye had a little experience in this matter, for in making the Chan’uel in a gale of wind when I commnuded the “Liberty,” we were a whole night trying to get ’soundings with BaSscy’s mncliine, nnil at last, in the morning, we gare it up as a bad job, nnd made the best we could of it. We tried nll we knew. but we could riot get them: we ought to have had about 80 fathoms; but with Sir J‘i‘illinm Tliomwn’s machine we could hare got them immediately. There is one other point nith regard to soundings in the Nav which I think is a mistnlie. I was told the other day by the Captain of a troop-ship which waa bringing home men from service on the Yediterrancan station, that a number of Ioung able seamen who had heen rated not a very great time before were put into the chains, but could not take soundings. Some were tried first nnd then changed, nnd others put in their place, but they nlso could not get proper soundings. Uc then sent for the petty officers, and said, “What ia the reason that these men cannot get soundings?” They replied, “In the ship aecome from they had selected ledsmen, and nhcn tho ship went in or out of hnrbour tliesc selected leademen were put in the chains, and the re& of the. able Beamen never had a chance of getting soundings.” It was only the selected fieamen thnt were id1up to tlic thing, nnd the able seamen did not iinderk~xlit; so that these meu were passing through the Service ns qualified able seanien when, as far as soundiuga were coneerncd, they really sere not, ahich is a great mistake. Admiral SELWXX: We hare recently had a Bill of great importance brought forward for tlic better regulation of the Mercantile Marine. It is extremely doubtful whether thnt Bill, in consequence of the opposition to it, will pass ; but I an1 quite sure that if this &ncliiue is made a requisite fitting of erery ship by the Board of Tnde, more good will be done and more lires n-iU be sared by Sir Williein Thomjon’s sounding macliine, nnd the constnnt use of it, than could erer be snred ’by nll the Bills that may be brought forward and passed. I should like to see a strong sense of responsibility nbrond, and should like to ask alietber if an ironclad is worth putting a Thomson sounding machine on board, erery ship in the service is not worth it ? Is 261. more than a ha’porth of pitch compnrcd to even a gunboat? Knowing what we do about this maeliine for the hst three Fears, it ought to be as requisite for a man to take this to sca ns his compnss or hia clironometer. A ship ought as little to be left to go to sea n-ithout it ns without a compass or

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 chronometer. I cannot ngrcc with many of my brother Officers about doning up. I say distinctly the more ships dow up in a fog, the more ships there nre to be in ’collision. A Tisc man alwnjs goes through a fog nt speed, of course taking erery precaution, but you will not find n single O5wr of the great steamships runniug across the Athntic who does not say, “I am far ;,afer going 15 or 16 knots than.1 sliould be if I went 7 or 8 nnd stayed in the fog. If you consider what n fog is, nnd what delay would occur in consequence of slowing down to 7 or 8 knots, you might easily see that it is simply rcconimending a precaution to increase the number of collisions. There ia no other riew that is ntional. The old sjstcm of slowing down might npply where me were nll going at rc~slow speed, and where it did not matter whether we sent7 or 8, or 6or 7 knots, or 5 or 6 ; but now it is a very dirercnt thing. A great improvement might be made no doubt in that respect by settling once for all, in nnrron- waters particularly, as lias been once or twice proposed in the Channel, an np and down path ; thnt is to say, stenmcrs going down Channel eliould keep on one side, and steamers coming up the other side, generally speaking; but as for slowing down it is an error and a fallacy. With regard to this sounding ninchine, I should like to say one word about another machine brought before us by Sir William Siemens, bccnuse the two myhinee do not cleeh with each other in any ITS ADVANTAGES Ih' PEACE AND KhR. 875

way, but on the contrary the one is not perfect without the othcr. Sir William Siemens's sounding machine takcs the shape of a barometer, a Height measure. It can be kept in the cabin, and it gires us the depth of water underneath the ship's bottom at anr moment by mere inspection without an7 soundings at nll, to I think one-tenth of whaterer the depth may be. I lid this from Sir William Siemens himself, because I went into the matter, when he first brought it out, very closely with him. It is on an entirely differcnt principle. One is an adaptation of the principle of the higheat phy3ics, that is to say, the coneideration of what is the difference betwen the specific grad in consequence of tho attrnction.of the maaa of earth or the mas8 of water. anithe other is a machine beautifully adapted for its purpose, but which is not fitted to perform the function of telling you that ~ouare nearing a coast or rocks. It has thia othcr adoantage that it is capable, by a very small modification, of being msdc automatic-by the attachment of a small constant electric battcq-, you can make it ring a bell whenercr you are in soundings. It is no amwer to say it only tells you within one-tenth of the actual depth, for this reason. Supposing I am carrpng a line of soundings acrosa the Atlantic, or any other sea, for the purpoee of a cable, 1 do not want to know the depth very accurately, and one-tenth of the actual depth ie of no importance. Takc the other caw, that in which I am coming in from the sea, and believing the ship in deep water I suddenly get into soundings without knomng it. It is of little importance to find that instead of being in 30 fathom soundings you arc in 27 ; that diffcrcnce is not of importance ; the main fact ia you hare got out of what you bclierc to be an unfathomable ocean suddenly into soundings. I say the tKo things ought to be in lhe interest of the Nard Scmice and of the Commercial Marine requisite3 of the Board of Trade. No ship ought to bc allowed to procoed to sea without thew requisites, nny more than without chart, compass, or chronometer. Vice-Admiral SEOETLASD:We ought to be rcry much obliged to Captain Buckle for his rery excellent paper. I should hare been delighted if, at the time I had to do sounding work, such a machine had been put into my handri. when I should probably hare done the work a grcat deal better. It is without doubt an exccllcnt machine; it would be sdrantageous if we knew what are the limite of aceurac~ within which it will gire the depth of 'water. We know that Msseey'a machinej cannot be depended on very well, a blow on the fan blades will alter the mte of travsl and change the reading of the index for a given depth, so that when using this machine I always tried it before and after uaing it ; and at erery time whilst soundin when an up and down sounding with the line cod? be obtained, the line was ma&d and measured, and the depth thus found CON^^ with Lhe reading of the indes. I frequently found tlia soundings given by the machine a long way from the truth. Thomaon's machine will aB0 be liable to error, which will require to be determined, and this is what I should have been very glad to have head something about. We now come to the pint how hand soundings are taken in -Feasels of war and surveying ships. A man is no use in the chains if he gete too much alack line

Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015 ahead of him ; this shore he has not auacient experienee ; the ldsman must have the line tinht in his hand from thc lead when it is up and down, by the Icad coming rer8cdly under him; if this is not the case he is of no UBC whaterer. Unles~ the leadsman is well trained and attended to, the soundings cannot be worth much, especially when the ship is going fast. Then as to speed, we know that crery ship haa a particular speed at which she turns better than any other: no two ships sgrce exactly in this respect. If you determine the velocity with which n. vesecl will turn at afferent E~CC~S,you can then calculate the celocity at which she rill clcar nu object at the shortest possible distance, this can easily be determined (see note), and therefore when you say you m-.ill slow down the engince or go at a gmt speed, all depends on the ship herdf, nnd erery Officer when he commandt3 a ship ought for himself on the rery first opportunity to iry her rate of turning nt diffcrmt speeds, and to know all about hcr movements; by which mcans he will find out wlrut her ~8feStspeed in a fog will be. This is a masimum and minimum question which any one can calculate with the proper data.' To determine practicsI1j the sped at which a resel ought to go in a fog, which is alao her best speed for manacurrhg, proceed aa follow :-- $76 SIR WILLTAW ’ THOMSON’S SOUNDISO XACHIhT ;

Captain CURTIS: Mny T ndd flint in oarrjing n minding ncross D bay I think the mncllinc is inrnluablc, brcausc tlicrc is cil\r tip an inrlr~ughtof the currcnt, and mnny rcrscl~nro lost thcrcb1, not allowing for thc indraught.: Tlic CirArsxds: I did not interrupt my frimd Adinird Srlnn whcn iic nlludcd to Sir William Siemens’s mnchine for nsccrtaining thc dcpth ci tlie wz, bccauac- it Moor IL boat Eecurcly in a conrcnicnt position, step her mast, and on it fix trio cliEtinct well clcfincd marks, one at thc mast-hcnd, and thc other ncnr licr gunuale, so thnt the rcrticnl distance between them maj bc 31 fcct 5 inches, vhcn the angle ktnccn tlicrc tao mnrlie is 3’; the obeemcr will be one cnble’e len th from the bent's mwt, or nenrly so. Supposc the rcsscl running rttaiglit for thc%ont nt one ubl& Icngth diefnnce from her kae tho helm placcd hard orer, and will be ccrtain to run well clcnr of the boat, in euch a erne 3’ may be doytcd ad the starting nnglc, other- wiw a smaller anglc must be ueed. . The ob,eerrer, eextant in hand, should stand on the rtarboard side of thc bridge when etnrboad liclni is to be u~l,nnd on the rt side of the bndge =hen the r~elie to bc turned undcr port helm ; a cable’s rngth bcino tho adopted distance he sets thc index of the ecxtnnt to 3’; let the nunibcr of rcr&tions of the cnginm eelccted for the fir& trial bc nl, that for the second n2, and that for the third n,, wlien: ~~-n~~~~-913.Thc rcrecl must be tskcn a sufficicnt distance from tlie boat to acquire her nornial specd for n rcrolutions bclom arriving nt n cnblc’s leneth distancc from her, and etecml straight for the boat. When thc tcllectcd imnge of the uppw mark touches tlie lomr mark seen directly. thc obscrrcr ordcrb the liclm Iinrd a atarboard,” or “hnrd B port,” as tho cam maF bc; whcn the hoot is cxnctly a-beam of tlic rcswl, tlic obscrrcr mcasurcs the nngle betrrccn tlic two innrks, and notes the tending of his ecxtnnt. Similar obwrrntious must bc mndcaith ihc engines going n, nnd ~p rciolutions rcspectirelj. Let d,,d2nndA3be the thrce icdincs’of the eextant cormpondin= to the rcjpcctire bcam angles; kt .f1--A?EU9 Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015

and .I,--A,=b, alimrc u and 1 are expressed in degrcca. With a ruling pencil, a 6-in:li protmctor, and R pair of cliriders. draw tho strsiglit line nl n2 nJ (F~gs.1 and 4) make ml n,-1 inch, and ti1 n,-2 inchcs ; from the points nIand n3 draw the straight lin- nl l’,and n1 P, perprncliculnr to s1 m2 I~,and tnting an inch to n degree, mnko n, P,-u, and n, Y,=b (in Fig. 1, n snd b hnre the =me, and in Fig. B unlike signs). Tlirongh the tlirco points PI,n2 and PIdeecribe a circle,of xhicli 0 the centre liaa been found in the urunl way, cutting tlie straight linc nl nI (produced if necmary na in Fig. 2) in tlie point then if a bc tlic number of rerolutions of the eugine corresponding to the point n, thc number of rerolutiona they should mado go in a fog, drc., Kill be giren by thc caws rcprceented to ’c.2 In in Fig. 2, it trill be bctter to make another trial with the engines going n, reve lutions prr minute whcre nl-%-n3, and procccd in II similar manner with the three obscrrntions corrcspnnding to n2, n3 nnd a, rerolutions. 2 The liiin.iclc coiiipi~sin the gunboat was placcd with lubbcr’e point one half a point out from tho forc nnd aft line. ITS ADVAXTAQES IN PEACE AND WAR. 877

wns incidental to this discussion, and likewise because it is redly one of the most remarkable instruments that I think waa ever invented. Sir William Siemens \vcm good enough to eend me his pamphlet, and I remember asking him as to the limits within which hc could asccrtain the tlcpth of the sea by it, and my recollection of llis answer is.that he did not orrire nL the nicc accuracy mentioned bj Admiral Selqn, namely, one tenth of thc depth of water. In 30 fathoms, for instance, the limit of error would only be 3 fathoms. I cannot help thinking-perhaps it was in the earlier stages of hie trials of tlie instrument-that llis limits of error weremuclt wider than that. IIowerer, wc me not here to discues its merits; as a philosophical instrument it was a ~eryremarknblc one. I think we hare only now to give our tl~anksboth to Captain Long, for rding thc paper, and especially to Captain Buckle for this information. It is most malunblc to find a man who has reaU-j tried an instrument of this kind, end ah0 can la7 before u8 and beforc our members and the public generally the real facts of what hns happened whcn the instrument itself IIAB been actually tried, which is of course much more raluable than any discussion even in this theatre. Captain LOX+: I am EOR~Captain Buckle is not here to answer for himself, 3.3 I know he aould hare been able, as to the tests he has applied 10 this machlnc. Eetold me onec in conversation that lic had tried it when he knev what the deptl~ me, and had alaa-js found it to bc correct. I myself lid the other instrument, the depth gauge. I tried that on a great many occosiona. TVhcncrer me knew the poeition at noon when we were in sounding, I used to hare a rust taken 'ust on the stroke of the bell so as to bc able to see what it gare, and I always found it correct, and hnd the greatest confidence in it. I think one of the most important thing3 to remark about is that if anybody wants to use it in thick acnthcr they must usc it whcn they know where they are, so as to get confidence in it. I feel full eonfrdencu in it myself. I lost mine from using it with the patent log orer. That is a thing that ought to be regislered for nnjbody'e information, bceausc sometimes narigating O5ccrs do not like to haul in tlic patent log; nnd if you put this oTer &en the log is also orer, and tlic vessel is going-- fast, it is wry-- apt to get- wound up, and tlGn the wire breaks.' [$!r. Ludwig Benjamin then exhibited his apparatus for indicating the ccntrc of gramity of loaded resscls?J

I hake since osecrhined. in redr to Adminl Bovs.#I that ninetr machines liarc been supplied to 11.X'~Nay-j to iih June.-S. L. 2 See Journal, 30.CXXVI. Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 16:08 15 March 2015