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 AN ESSAY 
 
 ON THE 
 
 preservation of ^tptoreefeeD persons* 
 
 WITH 
 
 A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT 
 
 OF 
 
 THE APPARATUS, 
 
 AND THE MANNER OF APPLYING IT, 
 
 AS ADOPTED SUCCESSFULLY 
 
 By G. W. MANBY, Esq. 
 
 HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD, 
 
 J>rawn by IV. M. Craig, and executed by J. Berryman, 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 FRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATER- 
 NOSTER-ROW, AND 54, NEW BOND-STREET 5 AND 
 JOHN MURRAY, FLEET-STREET. 
 
 1812.
 
 T. Beusley, Printer, 
 l?olt Couit, Fleet Street, London.
 
 VK 
 I til 
 
 M3fe 
 
 TO 
 
 JOHN CHRISTIAN CURWEN, Esq. 
 
 MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT 
 
 FOR 
 
 CUMBERLAND, 
 
 AND 
 
 VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS, 
 
 MANUFACTURES, AND COMMERCE, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING SHEETS 
 
 ARE INSCRIBED, 
 BY 
 HIS OBEDIENT AND GRATEFUL SERVANT, 
 
 G. W. MANBY.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ^Gratitude alone would impel me to address these 
 pages to Mr. Curwen, who has so independently pa- 
 tronized my humble efforts, and but for whose coun- 
 tenance and protection, I should yet have been with- 
 out the power of accomplishing my task, did not other 
 considerations induce me to dedicate to that Gentle- 
 man a work, the object of which is to promote the 
 cause of humanity ; a cause so ably asserted, and in- 
 defatigably supported by his generous and laudable 
 efforts. It is, in truth, only a tribute of justice to 
 this worthy representative of the people to declare, 
 that if any good results from my exertions, all is due 
 to his determined perseverance in advocating my 
 cause, which has obtained for me the only means by 
 which the object so near my heart has eventually been 
 perfected. 
 
 For humanity's sake, it is greatly to be lamented, 
 that my success in the present undertaking should owe
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 its origin to the painful circumstance of having been 
 an eye-witness to the total loss of many vessels, with 
 all their crews, whilst stationed at Yarmouth as Bar- 
 rack Master during several successive winters; a most 
 welcome and handsome appointment presented to me 
 by the present First Lord of the Admiralty, * and for 
 which my gratitude will always be due to him. 
 
 The dreadful events of the 18th of February, 1807, 
 when His Majesty's gun-brig Snipe was driven on 
 shore near the Haven's Mouth at Yarmouth, first 
 made an impression on my mind, which has never 
 been effaced. At the close of that melancholy scene, 
 after several hours of fruitless attempt to save the 
 crew, upwards of sixty persons were lost, though not 
 more than fifty yards from the shore, and this wholly 
 owing to the impossibility of conveying a rope to 
 their assistance. At that crisis a ray of hope beamed 
 upon me, and I resolved immediately to devote my 
 mind to the discovery of some means for affording 
 relief in cases of similar distress and difficulty. It is 
 matter of no small consolation, when I reflect that 
 my efforts were soon crowned with the happiest suc- 
 cess, and have been already instrumental to the pre- 
 servation of ninety souls from a watery grave, of 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Yorke.
 
 PREFACE, Vll 
 
 which seventy-seven were my Countrymen, and thir- 
 teen unfortunate Hollanders. 
 
 In the prosecution of my object considerable diffi- 
 culty presented itself, viz. in the case of vessels ground- 
 ing on a bar, when running for a harbour, as their only 
 chance of safety; the broken water, by giving no 
 resistance to the blade of the oar, prevents a boat 
 from pulling up to the ship's aid, though within ten or 
 twenty yards of her. My attention became here en- 
 gaged in the construction of a small piece of ordnance 
 for the purpose of projecting a rope from the boat so 
 as to communicate in such circumstances with the 
 ship. A small portable mortar was also essential, the 
 better to ensure a prompt and effectual communica- 
 tion, at a period when each successive instant was big 
 with the fate of an entire ship's company. 
 
 The dreadful event also of a Swedish brig, called 
 the Wandering Main, driven on shore at Hasbro', in 
 the night of the 5th of January, 1809, imprinted on my 
 feelings the necessity of contriving a method of afford- 
 ing the same assistance at the more awful hour of 
 night, when darkness doubles the danger, and baffles 
 even the experienced navigator. It was on this la- 
 mented occasion, a dark and dismal night, when 
 objects were scarcely discernible, that numerous un- 
 availing attempts were made to project a rope to the
 
 Vin PREFACE. 
 
 vessel by the means successfully used in the day ; but 
 its flight could not be observed, either by the persons 
 on shore or those on board, and seven long and anxious 
 hours elapsed before the light of day favoured the 
 endeavours to effect the much-desired communication; 
 when, at the very instant the cot reached the vessel, she 
 went to pieces, and every soul on board perished ! 
 
 The horrors of shipwreck at a distance from the 
 land, a scene I had unhappily too often witnessed, 
 suggested to me also the great benefit that must result 
 from enabling a life or pilot boat to go from a flat 
 beach with facility and certainty to the relief of suf 
 ferers. This observation was corroborated by the 
 opinions of various residents on the coast, whose 
 assurances gave evidence, too conclusive, of the many 
 lives and immense property annually lost for the mere 
 want of the means I have hinted at; the chief 
 difficulty was, that no boat could be forced over 
 a higU and raging surf without some powerful arti- 
 ficial aid. 
 
 Among other desiderata that have grown out of 
 my researches in this arduous and important work, 
 there is one I presume to think of much worth. Boats 
 in common, where occasion has required their being 
 launched in cases of shipwreck, have often failed 
 owing to their want of buoyancy and other properties
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 of the life boat. I have devised a simple method of 
 giving to every kind of boat these advantages, and 
 at a most inconsiderable expense. Thus every vessel 
 provided with a boat so prepared, would possess within 
 herself the power of preserving the life of any person 
 fallen or washed overboard in a high wind and heavy 
 sea. And boats around the coast, by the same means, 
 may be converted into efficient life boats. 
 
 The discovery that has last of all occupied my 
 thoughts and attention, is by no means of the least 
 magnitude; indeed it is likely to be attended with such 
 valuable consequences to my country in every service, 
 that it ranks highest among the productions 1 have the 
 honour of submitting for public consideration. In the 
 early stage of my inquiry, the intention was to secure 
 a method of discharging a mortar with certainty in 
 extreme wet and windy weather, which could not 
 always be effected with the match ; and when success- 
 ful, it has often been attended with considerable diffi- 
 culty and much waste of time. The mode proposed has 
 most completely succeeded ; and as this method of dis- 
 charging a gun in the most violent storm, and under 
 any circumstance of humidity, being without the aid 
 of fire, promised to be of the very first utility to both 
 the navy and army, I hope to make it hereafter the 
 subject of an useful work.
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 Parliament having, in the most liberal manner, 
 been pleased to countenance my undertaking, and by 
 an ample allowance afforded me every encouragement, 
 the entire coast of Great Britain, I hope, will ere long 
 be guarded with this additional belt of succour for the 
 unfortunate; and although, among the many unfor- 
 tunate traversers of the ocean's deep, some poor ship- 
 wrecked souls may perish, I am not without the exhi- 
 larating hope of living to that day when my project 
 shall be hailed as the seaman's best friend. And why 
 may not the glorious cause of humanity be fostered on 
 foreign shores ? It would be heart-cheering, indeed, to 
 learn that the invention of an Englishman had been 
 adopted for the salvation of the shipwrecked in every 
 clime, and on every coast. Surely it would not be too 
 much to cherish the hope, that every landholder, of 
 whatsoever nation, whose domain borders on the sea- 
 coast, will furnish himself with the blessed means, and 
 hold them sacred to humanity's cause. If such of my 
 countrymen, and of other nations, supply themselves 
 with an apparatus, would not their labours be repaid 
 with usurious interest, in extending an arm to such of 
 their fellow-creatures as the raging tempest might drive 
 helpless within their grasp? My pen falters in revert- 
 ing to our late distressing shipwrecks; yet who can 
 say that these very means of preservation, had they
 
 PREFACE. XI 
 
 been practicable, might not have snved to many a 
 family a father, husband, brother, nay, all its fondest 
 hopes. But to dwell no longer on this heart-rending 
 picture. Let every philanthropist provide himself with 
 this pamphlet, and let each merchant and other vessel 
 be furnished with the same, as explanatory of the 
 method used on shore, by which all that is essential 
 for the instruction of those on board, is learnt in five 
 minutes: and I anticipate the day, when, by an uni- 
 versal patronage of this invention, and the countenance 
 of Government, it will become eventually the resource 
 of every nation. 
 
 Bu t to return to the many ad vantages that may accrue 
 from the mode hereinbefore suggested, of discharging 
 guns without the use of fire. Independently of its high 
 utility in naval and military service generally, and also 
 in ensuring a certain discharge of the life-preserving 
 mortar, when certainty of its discharge is every thing, 
 there is another valuable advantage of which this new 
 system has to boast, and one perhaps of equal im- 
 portance with the preceding; it will prevent a recur- 
 rence of those dreadful accidents that so frequently 
 happen on board ship in the heat of action, where the 
 loose and scattered powder unavoidably spread over the 
 decks, by taking fire, leads to the destruction of many 
 valuable lives, and to a consternation among a crew
 
 XII PREFACE. 
 
 which is capable of producing the greatest calamity, 
 and very worst consequences. 
 
 When the immense number of seamen who are 
 computed to perish annually, and whose preservation 
 I consider to come within the means of this applica- 
 tion, are taken into consideration, it is reasonable to 
 hope and expect a fair proportion will be rescued by 
 the means proposed so soon as they shall be carried 
 into general effect. 
 
 I think this ratio of human salvage may be justly 
 insisted upon when it is shewn, that out of ninety- 
 three persons attempted to be saved by my plan, 
 only three were lost; and of those unfortunates two 
 were incapable of self-exertion from insensibility, and 
 the third unhappy man lost his life by his own 
 temerity. 
 
 On one solitary day only, viz. the 10th of Novem- 
 ber, 1810, the crews of sixty-five vessels, wrecked on 
 the coast of the North Sea, entirely perished, and within 
 one hundred yards of the shore : their numbers were 
 estimated at five hundred. It may, therefore, I repeat, 
 be fairly reckoned, that at least five hundred seamen 
 will every year be saved to the nation, exclusively of 
 property incalculable in value. 
 
 As the professed object of this little essay is to 
 give publicity to a code of instructions framed for the
 
 PREFACE. Xlll 
 
 benefit of mankind, it is hoped to have some claim on 
 the indulgence of the reader. 
 
 That my system may not be deemed purely theo- 
 retical, I have judged it expedient to support it by 
 the introduction of authentic documents, in which are 
 exhibited indisputable proofs of its practicability and 
 success.
 
 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE APPARATUS, 
 
 WITH 
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR USING IT IN THE ASSISTANCE OF ' 
 PERSONS ON BOARD STRANDED VESSELS 
 ON A LEE-SHORE IN THE DAY, 
 AND FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THEIR LIVES. 
 
 When the rope (which should be pliant and well 
 stretched) is brought on the beech or cliff opposite 
 to the stranded vessel, the most even spot and free 
 from projecting stones should be selected to lay it on, 
 and great care be taken that no two parts of it what- 
 ever overlay or even touch each other, nor must it be 
 laid in longer lengths than of two yards. But to pro- 
 ject a small line or cord, it will be necessary, if it is 
 required, to contract the fakes to half a yard at most,
 
 16 
 
 to avoid the jerk received at the end of each right 
 line; the best method with such a description of cord, 
 is to lay it on the ground in the most short and 
 irregular windings, to relieve it from this powerful 
 impulse. To prove the effect of the impulse on a rope, 
 if it is. faked in lengths of ten or fifteen yards, it will 
 break, each time, as it then becomes a most powerful 
 pendulum. These precautions are absolutely necessary 
 to the success of the service. 
 
 The following has, after various trials, been found 
 a certain method of laying the rope, and placing it into 
 compartments. 
 
 FRENCH FAKING. 
 
 
 A particular attention to this mode will never fail 
 with a good rope, when the impediments are removed 
 that might otherwise obstruct its rapid flight. Its
 
 17 
 
 advantages are, that it will allow the eye rapidly (yet 
 correctly, just before firing, which is absolutely neces- 
 sary) to pass over the different compartments, and at 
 once discover if any fake has been displaced by the 
 storm, or by any other casualty or accident come in 
 contact with another part, which would destroy its 
 application by the rope breaking. 
 
 It may likewise be coiled in the manner used in 
 the whale fishery. 
 
 WHALE LAID. 
 
 And in the following method. 
 
 CHAIN FAKING.
 
 18 
 
 It is however necessary to add, that great attention 
 is required in laying it agreeably to the two latter me- 
 thods, arising not only from the wind being liable to 
 get under certain parts of the rope, and thereby dis- 
 place it, but from the great anxiety of mind natural on 
 these occasions, where the lives of fellow-creatures are 
 literally dependent on the correctness with which the 
 rope is laid; it is therefore extremely difficult, in a 
 moment of agitation, to determine whether any over- 
 lay has taken place, an error that would infallibly 
 destroy every endeavour, and occasion even the fate of 
 those, whose lives we might be exerting ourselves to 
 preserve. Could persons in the performance of this 
 service be always collected, the two latter methods 
 would have a decided advantage over the first mode 
 of faking, they being laid in a much less space of 
 time. 
 
 As all these methods of laying the rope occupy time 
 to place it with the care necessary ; and as it has repeat- 
 edly happened that vessels, very soon after grounding, 
 have gone to pieces, and all hands perished, it was ne- 
 cessary to produce a method of arranging the rope, so 
 that it could be immediately projected as soon as it 
 arrived at the spot; and none proved so effectual as 
 when brought ready laid in a basket.
 
 19 
 
 In this case the rope should be most carefully laid, 
 id alternate tiers or fakes, no part of it overlaying, 
 and it should be well secured clown, that in travelling 
 it be not displaced. But, above all things, no mistake 
 must happen in placing the basket properly. 
 For example: that end of the basket from which the 
 shot hangs in the above plate should be previously 
 marked, as is here represented, and must be placed 
 towards the sea or wreck, that the rope be delivered 
 freely, and without any chance of entanglement. It 
 will be scarcely necessary to add, there will be several 
 tiers of the rope when laid. The utmost care and 
 attention are required in laying the rope in tiers with 
 strict regularity to prevent entanglement.
 
 20 
 
 Perhaps I cannot do better than introduce here 
 the following satisfactory report, in evidence of the 
 very superior advantages of the basket, given under 
 the hands of Naval Officers, upon whose experience 
 and judgment no comment need be made. 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 North Yarmouth, Dec. 4, 1809. 
 
 We, the undersigned, did this day, in compliance 
 with the wish of Captain Manby, attend the experi- 
 ment he made at Yarmouth, for the objects he stated 
 to have in view, for a more certain and instantaneous 
 application of a rope to vessels stranded on a lee-shore, 
 than the system he had hitherto pursued and instructed 
 the Sea Fencibles in, capable of being used from an 
 
 UNEVEN BEACH, RUGGED ROCK, OR WHERE THE 
 SEA WASHES FAR ON THE SHORE. A basket six 
 
 feet in length, three in breadth, and four inches deep, 
 containing a coil of inch and half rope, laid in alter- 
 nate fakes, was brought in front of the mortar, and 
 fired, with eight ounces of powder, 179 yards, with- 
 out suffering the least check whatever in its flight. 
 The mortar and basket (the rope ready laid in it) were 
 then by our desire taken to the beach on the carriage, 
 to be projected over the ship stranded a few days since,
 
 21 
 
 with the new constructed barbed shot to catch hold of 
 the rigging. 
 
 It is our opinion, that the above experiments most 
 fully answer the object intended; and too much can- 
 not be said in praise of Captain Manby's unremitted 
 perseverance in the cause of humanity, to render the 
 object he has so long had in view as complete as 
 possible, and for the obtainment of which he has 
 spared neither expense or personal fatigue of body or 
 mind. 
 
 THOMAS SURRIDGE, 
 
 Captain Commanding Sea Fencibles. 
 
 EDWARD BERRY, 
 
 Captain Commanding Sea Fencibles. 
 
 RICHARD CURRY, 
 
 Captain of his Majesty's ship Roebuck. 
 
 SAMUEL WARREN, 
 
 Captain of his Majesty's ship Bellerophon. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, 
 
 Captain Royal Navy. 
 
 WM. BEAUCHAMP PROCTOR, 
 
 Captain Royal Navy. 
 
 The method of affixing a rope to a shot, for the 
 purpose of effecting communication, when projected 
 from a piece of ordnance over a stranded vessel, was
 
 22 
 
 at length succeeded in, by introducing a jagged piece 
 of iron, with an eye at the top, into a shell, and securing 
 it by filling the hollow sphere with boiling lead ; and 
 in another way, by drilling a hole through a solid ball, 
 and passing a piece of iron, with an eye to it, as before 
 described, to the bottom, where it should be well 
 secured by rivetting. 
 
 A ROUND SHOT, WITH AN EYE TO IT. 
 
 To produce the means of connecting a rope to a 
 shot, and prevent its being burnt, and rendering it 
 irresistible to the powerful inflammation of gunpowder, 
 was the labour of infinite time, and the number of 
 experiments to accomplish it is beyond all possible 
 conception. Chains in every variety of form and great 
 strength breaking, proved that it required not only an 
 elastic, but a closer connected body. At length some 
 stout platted hide, woven extremely close to the eye of 
 the shot, about two feet in length beyond the muzzle
 
 23 
 
 of the piece, and with a loop at the end to receive the 
 rope, happily effected it. 
 
 A SHOT, WITH A PLATTED HIDE PROTECTOR. 
 
 This method is certainty desirable, as the rope 
 may, immediately it is required, be affixed to the loop, 
 and applied in service. The form of the platted hide 
 may likewise be woven by twisting it in the manner that 
 the lashes of whips or ropes are spun ; there is another 
 method, by passing the rope through a case of leather, 
 taking the greatest care that it is so well secured at the 
 eye of the shot, as to leave no room for the slightest 
 play, as is represented by the following 
 
 barbed shot.
 
 24 
 
 Where the crews of the distressed vessel are inca- 
 pable of availing themselves of the benefits arising 
 from communication, they having previously lashed 
 themselves in the rigging, to prevent being swept away 
 by the sea, which is repeatedly breaking over them, 
 and when, from long fatigue, and the severity of the 
 storm, (on which occasions it too frequently occurs) 
 they totally lose the use of their limbs, and are rendered 
 incapable of assisting themselves in the slightest de- 
 gree; the advantages of this shot are, that on its being 
 projected over the vessel, and the people of the shore 
 hauling it in, it firmly secures itself on some part of 
 the wreck or rigging, by which a boat can be hauled 
 to the relief of the distressed objects; and by the 
 counter barbs it is rendered impossible to give up its 
 hold or slip, while that part of the wreck remains to 
 which it has secured itself. Among the many that 
 have been saved by this constructed shot, the following 
 are testimonials of a few of the cases. 
 
 We, the crew of the brig Nancy, of Sunderland, 
 do hereby certify, that we were on board the said vessel, 
 when she was stranded on the beach of Yarmouth, 
 on Friday morning the 15th of December, 1809, and
 
 25 
 
 compelled to secure ourselves in the rigging, to pre- 
 vent being swept away, the sea running so high over 
 the vessel. And we do further declare and certify, 
 that Captain Man by firing a rope with a hooked shot, 
 securely holding on the wreck, enabled a boat to be 
 hauled from the shore over the surf to our relief, 
 otherwise we must inevitably have perished. 
 
 A. P. Dixon, Master. R. Robertson. 
 J. V\ r HiTE, Mate. J. Knight. 
 
 J. Luch, Seaman. T. Jarrid. 
 
 I, Thomas Stoddart, do hereby declare, that 
 I was Master of the brig Camilla, of Sunderland, and 
 in her when stranded on the same morning, and near 
 where the Nancy was driven, and did witness all the cir- 
 cumstances contained in the above certificate; likewise 
 of Captain Manby's immediately after saving her 
 people, coming to the relief of myself and crew. I do, 
 therefore, in full justice and gratitude declare, that 
 the invention of thus conveying a rope to shipwrecked 
 mariners on a lee-shore, is of infinite importance to 
 every maritime country; for, if generally known and 
 used on the coasts, will save thousands of lives, from 
 the conviction of what I witnessed on that day, as
 
 26 
 
 the certainty of success will be, when all other efforts 
 are impossible. 
 
 THOMAS STODDART, 
 
 Master of the Camilla, of Sunderland, stranded on 
 Yarmouth beach, 15th of December, 1809 
 
 (COPY.) 
 
 Roebuck, Yarmouth Roads, 6th January, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I beg leave to state to you, for the in- 
 formation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admi- 
 ralty, that during my attendance on the beach yester- 
 day morning, in assisting for the preservation of his 
 Majesty's gun-brig Attack, a merchant brig was driven 
 on shore at the same place, and her crew, seven in 
 number, were, in my presence, rescued from the 
 rigging of the vessel, and apparent certain destruction, 
 in a most admirable manner, by means of a boat drawn 
 from the shore by a line, that, affixed to a shot, was 
 thrown over the vessel from a mortar, under the 
 personal superintendance of Captain Manby. 
 
 And this morning a galliot having also come on 
 shore on the beach, her crew, consisting of four Eng- 
 lishmen and five Foreigners, must inevitably have pe-
 
 27 
 
 rished, but for the prompt assistance of Captain 
 Manby, with his apparatus ; by whose efforts, and by 
 the same means as those employed yesterday, the 
 whole crew were, in my presence, rescued from their 
 most perilous situation; one of them however is since 
 dead from his sufferings, in consequence of the severity 
 of the weather. 
 
 I take the liberty of making this statement to their 
 Lordships, conceiving it my duty, in common justice 
 to Captain Manby, whose personal exertions are 
 always prompt in the cause of humanity, and in the 
 present instances have been so happily efficient. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 Sir, 
 Your most obedient, very humble Servant, 
 R. CURRY, 
 
 Captain of his Majesty's ship Roebuck, 
 doing Port Duty. 
 
 John Wilson Crokir, Esq. 
 Admiralty. 
 
 Facilitating communication is at all times of im- 
 portance; but when the stranded vessel is in mo- 
 mentary danger of going to pieces, this point becomes a 
 consideration of extreme urgency. I feel a persuasion,
 
 28 
 
 that this particular service can only be carried into 
 effect by a small and light piece of ordnance ; the range 
 of which is consequently very inconsiderable, when 
 compared with that of a large and heavier piece, as it 
 is weight alone that conveys the rope. In order there- 
 fore to increase the powers of a shot projected from a 
 small mortar, its natural form must be varied, so as to 
 give it additional preponderance. The following 
 shape, in the form of a pear, has been used with the 
 greatest success; for by the increased weight, the 
 shot's momentum and power over the line is in conse- 
 quence considerably augmented in its range; and when 
 made to fit the piece as close as possible, a great 
 increase of velocity is likewise produced from that 
 decrease of windage. 
 
 Portability in the construction of a piece of ord- 
 nance (as just described) is the very essence of this 
 service; and communication with the stranded vessel 
 or wreck may be effected with a cord, by which cord 
 a rope can be conveyed, and by that rope a hawser or
 
 29 
 
 cable sent to the distressed vessel; for this purpose the 
 following was constructed. 
 
 To exhibit the difficulties, in certain cases, attend- 
 ing the getting a piece of heavy ordnance to the place 
 required, and to show the importance of light ones in 
 particular service, I shall annex the following interest- 
 ing narrative, forwarded to me by a very active and 
 laudable member of the Suffolk Humane Society; and 
 an extract from experiments made at Woolwich, be- 
 fore a Committee of Colonels and Field Officers of the 
 Royal Regiment of Artillery.
 
 30 
 
 Lowestoft, 14th January, 1810, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 It is with the greatest satisfaction 
 I write to you, to state, that yesterday your applica- 
 tion of throwing a line from a mortar was most suc- 
 cessfully put in practice on Kessingland beach. A 
 Dutch vessel, from Rotterdam, was run on shore, she 
 being water-logged; a most tremendous surf breaking 
 over her; seven men on the bowsprit, and one man, 
 the Master, on the shrouds. The circumstance being 
 known at this place, Captain Hinton, as well as my- 
 self, were applied to for permission to take the gun, 
 which was instantly complied with ; Mr. Payne and 
 myself getting the powder, &c. which was lodged 
 in the battery, a coil of rope and two shots, a cart and 
 two horses, with four men, set off as fast as we could 
 drive, followed by Captain Hinton on horseback. 
 When at Pakefield, two expresses met us, to say, that 
 the men would be lost, unless the gun arrived in a short 
 time, as the vessel wa9 breaking up; and the greatest 
 exertions were made, by getting us a fresh horse, by 
 the people on the road. A shout from the people on 
 shore welcomed our arrival, and, in a few minutes, we 
 threw the shot and line over the men, who all, seven
 
 31 
 
 in number, took the desperate resolution of trusting 
 to this one line all at once, and committed themselves 
 to the water, having previously cut away the shot; but 
 the last man but one fell over the jib sheet, so that 
 the last two were hanging, and we in the greatest fear 
 of all of them perishing, pulled, and, as Providence 
 ordered it, the jib sheet broke, and all the seven were 
 brought safe by the line to the shore; our attention 
 was now turned to the Master, who waved most 
 piteously to us to fire again, and we did throw the line 
 over the topsail-yard in good stile, but he had not the 
 ability to get up the shrouds; we hauled it on shore, 
 and threw it again close to him, which he looked at 
 without attempting to secure it, and before one minute 
 from the last shot, the bowsprit, main and mizen-mast, 
 went, and he was lost, as must the entire crew, had it 
 not been for your apparatus. This was witnessed by 
 several gentlemen, four Lowestoft pilots, all the beach- 
 men of Pakefield, and others. As another vessel was 
 expected on shore, a request was made to leave the 
 gun, &c. at Pakefield. I write in great haste to request 
 another coil of rope, a shot, particularly a barbed one, 
 leathers, 8tc; several lines, with logs of wood, were 
 veered away by the men, but not one could be reached 
 from the shore, as the drawback prevented creepers
 
 32 
 
 being thrown in to reach it: a barbed shot would have 
 been of great service to us. 
 
 Yours most truly, 
 
 JAMES REEVE, Jun. 
 
 To Captain Manbt. 
 
 Extract from Experiments made at Woolwich, before 
 a Committee of Colonels and Field Officers, to 
 show the celerity with which the service may be 
 
 performed. 
 
 A person completely equipped with every necessary 
 apparatus to effect communication with a vessel driven 
 on a lee-shore. A man mounted on horseback was 
 exhibited, accoutred with a deal frame, containing 200 
 yards of log line ready coiled for service, which was 
 slung as a knapsack ; with a brass howitzer of a three- 
 pounder bore on its carriage, and two rounds of 
 ammunition, the whole weighing 6 C 2 pounds, strapped 
 on the fore part of the saddle. The person thus 
 equipped, is supposed to be enabled to travel with 
 expedition to the aid of ships in danger of being 
 wrecked on parts of the coast intermediate to the 
 mortar stations; and with this small apparatus, the 
 log line is to be projected over the vessel in distress, 
 from which a rope should be attached to it to haul the 
 crew on shore. Captain Manby caused the howitzer to
 
 33 
 
 be dismounted from the horse, and in a few minutes 
 fired it, when the shot was thrown, with the line at- 
 tached, to the distance of 143 yards. 
 
 At a subsequent trial the horseman, fully equipped, 
 travelled a mile and a third; the howitzer was dis- 
 mounted, and the line projected 153 yards, in six 
 minutes. 
 
 The application of a small piece of ordnance 
 likewise offers particular advantages, capable of being 
 employed from a boat to go to the assistance of a vessel 
 grounded on a bar when running for a harbour, the 
 necessity of which repeatedly occurs, and was twice 
 witnessed at Blakeney on the 10th of November, 1810, 
 when boats endeavoured to go to their relief, and were 
 enabled to get out of the harbour on the ebb tide, 
 within 20 yards of the vessel; but it was found impos- 
 sible to approach them nearer. Had such boats been 
 provided with a piece of this description, 
 
 and the same firmly secured on a stout piece of plank 
 by the holes left at each corner of the iron bed, they 
 
 c
 
 34 
 
 might have projected a small rope coiled in a crate or 
 basket made to the form of the bow of the boat, and 
 the persons in the boat so provided, would not have 
 remained the distressed spectators of the untimely end 
 of their fellow creatures, without being able to afford 
 them the smallest relief, although so little was then 
 wanted for that desirable purpose. 
 
 Although advantages have been pointed out in the 
 use of these small mortars, it is necessary to be kept 
 in remembrance, that they are produced for parti- 
 cular services ; as the nature of the coast, and circum- 
 stances attending the distressed vessel, will direct what 
 piece is best adapted to the undertaking. To enable 
 the mind to form a judgment what can be effected by 
 other pieces, the following are the minutes of experi- 
 ments made with a five and half inch brass mortar ; 
 stating the quantity of powder used, and distance the 
 ropes were projected against a strong wind, at the 
 angle of 17 degrees; weight of the mortar and bed 
 about three hundred. 
 
 Ounces of Powder. 
 
 Yards of Inch and H 
 
 alf Rope. 
 
 Yards of de?p Sea Line. 
 
 4 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 134 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 148 
 
 6 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 159 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 182 
 
 8 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 184 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 215 
 
 10 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 207 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 249 
 
 12 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 235 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 290 
 
 14 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 250 
 
 - 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 
 310
 
 35 
 
 With a short eight-inch mortar, the weight of 
 which and bed was supposed to be about seven hun- 
 dred; the angles of elevation uncertain. 
 
 Yards of Two Inch Patent Sun- 
 
 ,_ _. ., ,. _ .. derlaiid Hope, capable of 
 
 Ounces of Powder. A ards of deep Sea I we. , mu|ing ^ ^^ ^ 
 
 from a Heacii. 
 
 32 - - - - 4.39 
 32 - - - - 479 
 32 ----- - 336 
 
 Report of Experiments made at Lowestoft before the 
 Suffolk Humane Society, on the 28th of August, 
 1811, on the efficacy of giving immediate relief. 
 
 It was unanimously resolved That the experi- 
 ments of Captain Manby with the light mortar are 
 perfectly satisfactory, as they prove an easy method 
 of effecting a communication between the beach and 
 a vessel wrecked on a lee-shore. That Captain 
 Manby's new apparatus for accomplishing this most 
 important object, has many peculiar advantages. Its 
 lightness affords an ease of conveyance to places inac- 
 cessible to an heavy ordnance, and a power of applying 
 relief in some situations, where the former mortar 
 would be useless. Yet the Suffolk Humane Society 
 by no means recommend the adoption of the present 
 plan, by rejecting the former; but warmly urges
 
 36 
 
 the application of both, as the circumstances of the 
 coast, or tide, or vessel, may require. The Suffolk 
 Humane Society feels peculiar pleasure in attesting 
 the utility of Captain Manby's chemical preparation 
 for firing of ordnance ; the quickness of lighting, the 
 certainty of its remaining unextinguished, when ex- 
 posed either to wind or rain, must render the prepara- 
 tion of extreme benefit, especially when a minute's 
 delay might be fatal to the lives of the sufferers. 
 
 The Suffolk Humane Society cannot refrain from 
 hoping, that every part of the coast will soon be fur- 
 nished with the means for facilitating a communication 
 between the shore and a stranded vessel, and affording 
 the most effectual aid in cases of shipwreck. 
 
 These resolutions are ordered to be forwarded to 
 Captain Manby. 
 
 Signed by 
 
 M. MAURICE, Secretary. 
 
 Having now described the method of laying the 
 rope, and of securing it to the shot, the next is the 
 application of the mortar. If the wind is sidewise 
 to the shore, it must be pointed sufficiently to wind- 
 ward, to allow for the slack of the rope lighting on 
 the object, as the rope will of course be considerably 
 borne to leeward by the effect of a strong wind, and
 
 37 
 
 by its being laid at a low elevation, insures the rope 
 falling against the weathermost part of the rigging. 
 While this service is performing, great care should be 
 taken to keep the mortar dry; nor should it be loaded 
 until every thing is ready; when that is done, it should 
 be primed; but as it would be impossible to do it with 
 loose powder in a storm, a tube is constructed in the 
 simplest manner of common writing paper (the outer 
 edge being cemented with a little gum) in this form: 
 
 it is filled with meal gunpowder, made into a paste 
 with spirits of wine; when in a state of drying, run a 
 needle through the centre, and take care the hole is 
 left open, for on the tube being inflamed, a stream of 
 fire darts through the aperture with such force as to 
 perforate the cartridge; the rnortar should then in- 
 stantly be fired: and in order to lessen a difficulty that
 
 38 
 
 has often occurred in performing this service, a pistol 
 may be used, 
 
 having a tin box over the lock, to exclude the effect 
 of wind or rain on the priming; and the muzzle being 
 cut transversely, dilates the inflammation, so as to 
 require but little exactness in the direction of the aim. 
 We will suppose communication to be secured, 
 although it is scarcely necessary to offer any other 
 assistance than that of a rope, as the inventive genius 
 of a sailor will supply every thing else; yet I would 
 exhort the people on shore to get a boat ready for 
 meeting the vessel when driven on a beach ; it is the
 
 39 
 
 promptest and most certain method of relief, as well 
 as most easy to be accomplished, for by hauling her 
 off with the rope projected, the boat's head is kept to 
 the waves, and not only insures safety by rising to the 
 surge, but prevents her upsetting. Should there not be 
 any boat at hand, the people on board may lash the 
 rope round them in the manner here represented, and 
 be drawn by it in security to the shore. 
 
 MANNER OF LASHING THE ROPE. 
 
 Dreadful as this alternative appears, its success 
 may be relied on; when, in attempting to swim on
 
 40 
 
 shore without such aid, it is almost certain destruction 
 to the best or strongest swimmer; who is, in such 
 endeavour, either drowned in struggling against the 
 regurgitation, or killed by the violence with which he 
 is dashed on the beach. To confirm this statement, 
 of which I have been a painful spectator, is the 
 annexed certificate of Lieutenant Dennis, late of the 
 signal station at Hasbro'. 
 
 This is to certify, that on the 13th of January, a 
 Dutch galliot came on Hasbro' beach, and in about one 
 hour the vessel parted, and became a complete wreck. 
 I immediately had recourse to the use of Captain 
 Manby's mortar, and by means of throwing a barbed 
 shot and rope over her, was enabled with a boat to 
 save five seamen and a passenger; one man was 
 drowned, owing to his endeavouring to save himself 
 by swimming on shore. 
 
 Given under my hand, this 14th of January, 1810. 
 H. A. DENNIS, Lieutenant, 
 
 Hasbro' Signal Station. 
 
 Among the several who have been saved by being 
 hauled through the surf, having lashed the rope around 
 them, I must refer to the following very interesting
 
 41 
 
 certificate and circumstance, under which a poor 
 Dutchman and boy were saved. 
 
 This is to certify, that myself and son were 
 providentially rescued from the jaws of death by the 
 meritorious plan of firing a rope; and I am fully con- 
 vinced that no other means whatever could have ex- 
 tricated us from our perilous situation, being wrecked 
 at Horsey in the Vrow Maria; and beg further to 
 say, that I consider it a duty I owe to the inventors, 
 if necessary, to confirm this statement upon oath, and 
 shall recommend its adoption on every shore I may 
 hereafter visit. 
 
 JAMPES K. ZACHARIAS. 
 
 Yarmouth, 24th January, 1810. 
 
 The circumstances attending this very extraor- 
 dinary case of the Vrow Maria deserves recording, as 
 it displays a presence of mind perhaps unparalleled. 
 Her crew consisted of five seamen and one passenger; 
 but in beating over Hasbro' sand, three of them were 
 washed overboard; the three remaining consisted of 
 the Master, his son, and passenger, when driven on 
 shore at Horsey. After much difficulty, the mortar, 
 ropes, &c. were conveyed from Winterton, over a 
 heavy sand for four miles. It appeared impossible
 
 42 
 
 that a boat could arrive in time before the vessel 
 parted, which was expected every instant; the rope 
 being thrown over the vessel, was immediately secured 
 by the Master, who disengaging the shot from it, 
 lashed it around his son, then to himself, and passed 
 it to the passenger to do the same. Nothing appeared 
 to press so much on the Master's mind, as the pre- 
 servation of his son, whom he kissed, and, by other 
 evident signs, was imploring the protection of heaven 
 for this his greatest blessing. They all then approached 
 the extremity of the wreck, ready to jump off at a 
 signal, to be hauled on shore by the rope thus secured 
 to them. The boy in the greatest agony of despair, 
 with eyes and. hands uplifted, and with his father, 
 both cleared the wreck, but the unfortunate passenger 
 got entangled. In this distressing way were the two 
 former drowning, and the people of the shore left 
 only with the hope of freeing the entanglement by 
 pulling, and without avail: but while in this awful 
 situation, the Master took a knife from his pocket, 
 and disengaged himself and son from the passenger, 
 who were both drawn on shore through the surf, he 
 actually with the knife in his hand. Immediately after, 
 the vessel broke up, and the unfortunate passenger 
 was buried in the ruins of the wreck, and seen no 
 more.
 
 43 
 
 When a vessel is in that extreme and perilous 
 situation, driven under a rugged and inaccessible cliff, 
 and in danger of going soon to pieces, the most 
 prompt method I should suggest, is by lowering to 
 the crew a rope with stiff loops spliced into it, at the 
 distance of a foot and a half from each loop, of suf- 
 ficient size to contain the foot, by which they can 
 ascend as a ladder. 
 
 ROPE LADDER. 
 
 It is capable of being projected; and one of an 
 inch and half rope was thrown from a mortar 194 
 yards. It might also, from the simplicity of its structure, 
 be extremely useful in escaping from a house on fire
 
 44 
 
 By making one end fast to the leg of a bed or table, 
 the person would come down from the window in 
 safety, and with much less difficulty, and quicker, than 
 with the common rope ladder, which is heavier and 
 more unwieldy. It has great advantages when em- 
 ployed in saving shipwrecked men in situations just 
 described, when, from extreme cold and almost be- 
 numbed limbs, it would be impossible for them to 
 climb up a rock, or ascend it even by the aid of a 
 common rope. The holds thus spliced in, will support 
 both hands and feet. I shall state an opinion formed 
 of places where it is particularly calculated to save 
 men, by the very intelligent Pilot Master of Lynn. 
 
 Lynn Regis, February 19, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I beg to express how truly gratified I 
 
 am in being favoured with a sight of your most useful 
 
 and life-saving invention, for which, I have no doubt, 
 
 many thousands yet unborn will have true cause 
 
 to bless you. And, from the many instances of 
 
 distress which I have seen, I am confident had such 
 
 an apparatus been produced twenty years past, many 
 
 hundreds of lives would have been saved, which have 
 
 been lost. Permit me, Sir, to mention a few places of 
 
 danger, amongst many which I could mention, where
 
 45 
 
 great losses have taken place to my knowledge, for the 
 want of proper means of assistance, such as your gun 
 and rope ladder would have afforded; also some places 
 where such things are wanted. All along the Lincoln- 
 shire coast, from Skegness to Saltfleet haven, I con- 
 sider the gun would be of essential service, as many 
 poor souls have been lost during this winter for the 
 want of such assistance, particularly on the 10th of 
 last November: this is rather a fiat shore. From the 
 Spurn point to Burlington bay, the shore is tolerably 
 steep (viz. a sand); where, when a ship is driven on it, 
 with the timely assistance of your gun, I feel confident 
 scarce a single soul would perish. About Flam- 
 borough Head and Speaton cliffs it is very steep, and 
 wants bath the gun and the ladder, the height in places 
 being 200 feet, and nearly perpendicular. From Foley 
 to Scarborough the shore is very rocky, and requires 
 both apparatus : at the latter place I have seen many 
 ships on shore and lost, by driving out of the harbour 
 on the rocks, in and about the bath houses, and many 
 lives have been lost there also. From Scarborough to 
 Whitby both would be wanted, as the land is very 
 high, excepting here and there a place; but parti- 
 cularly at Whitby, to which many ships run in gales 
 of wind from the eastward; and when they go on 
 shore at the back of the south pier, scarce any of the
 
 46 
 
 people are ever saved; whereas, if they had a rope 
 ladder of about 200 feet long, it might be let down 
 to them, and their lives saved. From Whitby to 
 Coartham, and Redearr, the land is very high, and 
 the ladder would be of essential service; but in Sand- 
 end bay, the gun. From Coartham and Redearr to 
 Holy Island, the gun would, I am confident, be the 
 means (if placed at proper distances) of saving thou- 
 sands of lives, as there have been known to be, 
 between the two places, forty ships on shore in one 
 gale of wind ; and the whole distance is a sandy shore, 
 mixed with a multitude of flat rocks; so much so, that 
 very few ships are ever got off again, and many only 
 stand the tide they go on. At Holy Island, the gun 
 would be of immense service, as many ships get ashore 
 going in, and there is always plenty of help on the 
 shore : the same may be said of Berwick-upon-Tweed. 
 From Tweed north to Dunbar, both the ladder and 
 gun are wanted, as the land is very high, and it is an 
 iron-bound coast the whole distance. I once rode out 
 a gale of wind easterly close to St. Abb's head. Our 
 stern was about fifty yards from the rocks, in twelve 
 fathom water, and the land 200 yards above our heads. 
 Men were walking on the top of it, but could give 
 us no assistance; whereas, if we had had your rope 
 ladder, we might have got up the cliff. At Dundee
 
 47 
 
 bar the gun would be of great service also, as a number 
 of ships go on shore when going in upon both sides, 
 which are steep sands ; and many lives are lost for the 
 want of proper assistance. Much more might be said 
 to stimulate you to further exertions, in placing your 
 useful inventions at the most dangerous situations 
 upon the north coast; but I forbear, having had ample 
 proofs of your indefatigable labour in the cause of 
 humanity from various quarters. I only add, that I 
 am confident if you will take a tour along the north 
 coast, as far as Holy Island, you will hear such 
 accounts as will make you shudder at the rehearsal 
 of them; and will also cause you to exult with joy, 
 that you have been the blessed instrument of saving 
 thousands of the human race. Wishing you ten- 
 fold recompense for your labours, I beg to subscribe 
 myself, 
 
 Your most obedient servant to command, 
 
 GEORGE HOLDITCH, 
 
 Pilot Master of Lynn. 
 
 There is still another method of saving a crew in 
 certain situations. While communication is gaining, 
 three stakes should be driven into the ground in a trian- 
 gu lar position, so as to meet close at the heads, to support 
 each other. As soon as communication has been effected
 
 48 
 
 by the crew of the vessel, and they have secured 
 the line attached to the shot, make fast to these stakes, 
 and the crew will haul on board by it a large rope 
 and a tailed block, through which a smaller rope is to 
 be rove, both ends of which (the smaller rope) are to 
 be kept on shore. When they have secured these on 
 board, and the larger rope is rove through the rollers, 
 let a gun-tackle purchase be lashed to it, then lash the 
 purchase to the stakes. By the means of the purchase, 
 the larger rope may be kept at a fit degree of tension ; 
 for, if care be taken to slacken the purchase as the 
 ship rolls out to sea, the danger of the rope being 
 broken will be guarded against; and, on the other 
 hand, if the purchase be gathered in as the ship rolls 
 towards the shore, the slackness of the rope, which 
 would prevent the cot traversing as it ought to do, 
 and plunge it in the water more than it otherwise 
 would, will be avoided. It is likewise to be remem- 
 bered, that the ends of the smaller rope which is rove 
 through the tailed block, and is for the purpose of 
 sending the cot to the ship from the shore, are to be 
 made fast at each end of the cot, that it may be drawn 
 back also from the shore.
 
 49 
 
 THE COT. 
 
 The above is a cot constructed for such purpose ; 
 but particularly for bringing on shore helpless women, 
 children, sick and wounded, with lashings affixed, to 
 prevent their being washed from it; the whole of the 
 bottom is cut out, and replaced with strong square 
 netting, to prevent water collecting in it when tra- 
 velling backwards and forwards, as it might endanger 
 their lives by drowning, in adding so much weight 
 to retard or destroy its operation. 
 
 There is yet one circumstance attending the pro- 
 jection of a rope that has not been touched upon, but 
 is nevertheless of great consequence ; it will afford the 
 means of giving assistance to a ship in distress at sea,
 
 50 
 
 and suggests the benefit that would arise by every 
 vessel being provided with an apparatus. I am in- 
 duced to recommend it from the representation of 
 many experienced naval officers, whose judgment and 
 information may be relied on, and who have often 
 witnessed in fleets of transports and merchant vessels 
 during a gale of wind, that some one has wanted 
 assistance; but it has been impossible to approach so 
 near the distressed and unmanageable vessel as to take 
 her in tow, without immediately endangering the safely 
 of both. The use of the apparatus would at once accom- 
 plish it ; the vessel's head might be kept to the sea, when 
 not only the crew, but vessel and cargo would be saved. 
 In support of this statement, I must here annex the 
 very intelligent and ingenious remarks of a gentleman, 
 whose abilities the public well know how to appreciate. 
 
 His Majesty's Hospital Ship Gorgon, at Sea, 
 May 24, 1810. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I regret very much that my sudden 
 departure from Yarmouth deprived me of an oppor- 
 tunity of expressing to you the satisfaction I expe- 
 rienced at witnessing your practice, with such accuracy 
 and precision, as, in my mind, warrants the most happy 
 results from your fortunate and valuable invention,
 
 51 
 
 for preserving the lives of seamen from stranded vessels 
 on a Jee-shore. 
 
 The barbed shot which you can throw such a 
 distance, with so strong a rope attached to it, and 
 with so much correctness, as to make certain of hook- 
 ing the wreck, or a rope laid down for the purpose, so 
 as to enable a boat to be hauled off through the surf, 
 when all other means must prove ineffectual, promises 
 the most perfect success, and adds additional credit to 
 your ingenuity and benevolent design. 1 cannot help 
 thinking, that his Majesty's ships and vessels might 
 derive considerable benefit from being supplied with 
 your apparatus complete. For instance, when ships 
 are rendered unmanageable at sea, by action, or acci- 
 dent, during the prevalence of a gale of wind, when 
 communication with boats is impossible, and that of 
 buoys or floats are slow and uncertain. Your barbed 
 shot discharged as directed from either vessel, could 
 afford instant communication; by which means, the 
 vessel in distress could be taken in tow, or receive 
 other necessary assistance, without approaching too 
 near to endanger either. I think 1 may quote, with 
 propriety, from my own knowledge, that had our 
 fleet been supplied with your apparatus, in the gale 
 following Trafalgar action, that several hundred lives
 
 52 
 
 might have been preserved, when all other attempts 
 would have proved dangerous and abortive. Exclusive 
 of this consideration, another essential advantage may 
 be derived from a vessel being supplied with your 
 apparatus: should she be stranded on a coast where it 
 is not established, if her situation can admit of it, 
 your barbed shot can convey from her to the beach 
 the regulated rope, with additional facility, having the 
 wind in favour; where, on such melancholy occasions, 
 there are generally people present to give their humane 
 aid. 
 
 The many proofs of the number of lives already 
 saved by your praiseworthy invention, from indis- 
 putable authority, and the wisdom of Parliament in 
 having approved of, and granted a pecuniary reward 
 for your discovery, leaves the favourable testimony or 
 praise of an individual of little effect. I shall there- 
 fore content myself, by wishing you health to con- 
 tinue your unwearied and laudable perseverance in 
 accomplishing the general establishment of your ap- 
 paratus on the dangerous parts of our coasts, where it 
 must yearly preserve many valuable servants of the 
 public from untimely death. Thus, Sir, you have 
 given to a shot discharged from a gun, the too fre- 
 quent messenger of death, the new character acquired,
 
 53 
 
 when armed with your invention, of being the wel- 
 come messenger of protracted life ! 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 Your very faithful Servant, 
 
 J. JAMISON, 
 
 Physician to the Fleet. 
 To Captain Man by. 
 
 Before I conclude my introductory remarks to the 
 practical part of this work, I must beg to call the 
 particular attention of every reader to the following 
 highly important point; my task indeed would be but 
 imperfectly executed, and my duty ill performed to 
 the nation at large, as well as to the mercantile 
 interests of this kingdom, were I to omit calling im- 
 peratively on every person commanding a merchant 
 vessel, not to hold this new system as one of imme- 
 diate resort in every circumstance of difficulty or seem- 
 ing danger; nor to make it their remedy when merely 
 labouring under the common effects of bad weather off 
 a coast. No the object of my plan is, and I wish it 
 to be distinctly understood, that as a last resource, 
 when the crew have fairly exerted themselves to 
 brave the storm and escape shipwreck, when their 
 last endeavours shall have failed, then, and then only, 
 are they at liberty to consider my invention a justifi 
 able resource.
 
 
 54 
 
 I must here impress on the recollection of every 
 person to whom, as the commander of a vessel, the 
 property of others may be intrusted, that any thing 
 short of thtir utmost exertions towards saving the 
 vessel and her cargo, previously to abandoning their 
 charge, will inevitably be considered a high misde- 
 meanour, and an unpardonable dereliction from their 
 duty, both as sailors and as men. 
 
 Remarks of this nature are made with painful 
 reluctance, and would not have been thought fit 
 matter for this work, had not some gentlemen of 
 Lloyd's Coffee-house suggested, that my method of 
 preserving the lives of shipwrecked seamen would 
 lead to a premature and unwarrantable sacrifice of 
 property, and operate as an inducement for seafaring 
 persons to disregard the means heretofore adopted for 
 preserving their ships. If these things had not been 
 rumoured, I should have hell it a libel on my country- 
 men to offer the foregoing advice; and I still persuade 
 myself no man, who boasts of British birth, is capable 
 of acting upon a principle so dastardly. 
 
 In refutation of the doctrine of those who would 
 insist, that because a certain method of saving the 
 Jives of shipwrecked persons is discovered, every one 
 who may find his situation perilous will at once run 
 his ship .shore, without effecting every honourable 
 and manly endeavour to save the property confided to
 
 55 
 
 his care; I ask, whether it must not rather be ad- 
 mitted, that when a vessel is encountering a heavy 
 storm, and the commander, on whom the entire respon- 
 sibility rests, feels a conviction of his safety, he is far 
 better able to exert himself, and with a mind relieved 
 by a prospect of personal safety, his faculties are left 
 more free and equal to the arduous duty he has to 
 perform ; bearing, as he necessary will, in recollection, 
 that in any event he has a resource for the security of 
 himself and crew ? 
 
 Instead, therefore, of my invention acting as a 
 check to the ardour of a captain and his ship's com- 
 pany for preserving the property in their charge, it 
 will not be too much to maintain the very reverse 
 doctrine ; that when the dread of perishing for want 
 of assistance from the shore is removed, and the 
 almost certain prospect of self-preservation before 
 them, this new feeling will operate as a powerful 
 stimulus to the mariner, and naturally call forth every 
 exertion to save the ship and cargo. 
 
 I trust a review of these facts will incline those 
 gentlemen, who have so hastily drawn their conclu- 
 sions, to my way of thinking; and that they will join 
 in countenancing a system, projected for the preser- 
 vation of the lives of that class of men on whom 
 England rests so much of its hopes.
 
 56 
 
 Directions to Persons on board of Vessels stranded on a 
 Lee-shore. 
 
 It would be prudent (if practicable at the time) 
 when it is found that the vessel must drive on shore, 
 to strike the top-masts, by which great relief will be 
 given to the vessel, and there would be less danger 
 when she is rolling and beating violently, of their 
 being carried away by her top weight, or of her 
 breaking up. Should the vessel take the ground at 
 such a distance from the shore as to be out of the 
 reach of a projected rope, make fast to a light buoy 
 or cask the deep-sea line and other small ropes, casting 
 the buoy overboard, and veering away the line, &c. 
 which will drift to leeward; and, although it will not 
 be carried to the shore, it will necessarily approach 
 sufficiently near to enable a barbed shot to be thrown 
 over the line, and thereby effect communication for 
 the purposes of hauling a boat off to a very consider- 
 able distance. The impossibility of any thing attached 
 to a rope coming on shore from a stranded vessel, I 
 have often witnessed; but to confirm it, I shall insert 
 the following letter from that very praiseworthy cha- 
 racter, Mr. Wheatley, of Mundsley, whose name will, 
 to the end of time, be recorded with admiration for
 
 57 
 
 the many heroic acts he has displayed to rescue his 
 fellow-creatures. 
 
 Mundsley, March 14, 1808. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I hope you will excuse the liberty I 
 have taken by addressing you with this letter, on my 
 return from Winterton, after witnessing your experi- 
 ments and knowing the value of such a communication 
 in distress or shipwreck. I conceive your plan to be 
 a most useful one, therefore I think proper to point 
 out the value of it to you, hoping you will endeavour 
 to have the same put in execution all along the coast, 
 or within five miles of each other. I have been three 
 different times shipwrecked myself: on the 11th of 
 December, 1791> I was shipwrecked on the Island of 
 Silt, on the coast of Jutland, coming from the East to 
 London, and unfortunately we could not get any com- 
 munication with the people on shore, although we 
 were not more than 160 yards from them. I had a 
 small line made fast to the seamen's chests and trunks, 
 but nothing would go to the beach that had a line to 
 it, the surf taking the bite of the line and prevented 
 any thing landing. Two seamen that could swim well 
 jumped overboard with an intent to swim on shore, 
 but both perished in the attempt; I fortunately had a
 
 58 
 
 Newfoundland dog on board, which I bent the lead 
 line to, and he swam on shore with it, and by that means 
 seven seamen, the mate, and myself, were saved ; 19 sail 
 more were on shore, and only two men saved out of 
 the whole. If such a communication had been known 
 on that island at that period, upwards of 200 lives 
 would have been saved. I assure you, if your experi- 
 ment had been known on February 18, 1807, several 
 lives certainly would have been saved on the coast. I 
 was one of the spectators that stood on the beach 
 at Hasbro' when the Hunter cutter was lost; and 
 although she was within 150 yards of the cliff, no 
 assistance could be given her; likewise the Albcona, 
 of Sunderland. But it would be tedious to enumerate 
 the different w T recks that I have witnessed within the 
 fourteen years that I have lived on shore, and the 
 hands all lost. The misfortune of this coast is, when 
 the wind blows strong to the northwards, the sea runs 
 up to the cliff, which makes it impossible to get a 
 boat off, or to come on shore with one, excepting at 
 some particular places. I herewith enclose you a 
 certificate of my opinion of your plan, 
 
 And am, Sir, 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 F. WHEATLEY. 
 
 To Captain Man by.
 
 59 
 
 When the rope attached to the shot, (not having 
 barbs to it) is fired over the vessel and lodges, let it be 
 secured by those on board, and made fast to some 
 firm part of the rigging or wreck, that they may haul 
 off a boat by it; but should there not be any boat, 
 tl en haul on board by the projected rope a larger one, 
 and a tailed block, through which a smaller rope is 
 rove. Let the larger rope be made fast at the mast 
 head, between the cap and the top of one of the lower 
 masts, and the tailed block a little distance below it; 
 but if the masts should have been cut or carried away, 
 then it must be made fast to the loftiest remaining part 
 of the wreck. When this is done, there will be supplied 
 from the shore a cot, hammock, netting, basket, hoop, 
 or any of the numerous resources of seaman ; which 
 will run on the larger rope, and be worked by the 
 people on shore. If a cot be used, the men may 
 be so securely fastened in it, as to preclude all possi- 
 bility of failing out, and then be brought from the 
 w i eck, one by one, in perfect safety. Supposing neither 
 boat nor cot apparatus are at hand, first cast ofT the shot 
 from the projected rope, and with a close hitch, thus,
 
 60 
 
 let it be put over the head and shoulders of the per- 
 son to be saved, bringing it close under each arm, 
 drawing it tight, observing particularly the 
 knot is on the breastbone; for by having the 
 knot in that position, on the people of the shore haul- 
 ing the person from the wreck he will naturally be on 
 his back, consequently the face will be uppermost to 
 seize every moment for respiration, after each surf has 
 past over the body. If circumstances compel recourse to 
 this method, care must be taken to free the rope from 
 any part of the wreck, and to jump clear away; but 
 should there be more than one on board, each man 
 should make himself fast in the same way, about four 
 feet from the other, and join hands, all attending to 
 the same directions. 
 
 A due attention to these directions will insure the 
 certainty of safety ; it will likewise enable the crews 
 of the vessels, on whose coolness every thing depends, 
 to preserve their presence of mind, and prevent the 
 confusion that arises from agony and despair. In such a 
 calamity, patience and regularity are the surest means of 
 preventing disorder, whereas impatience tends to accele- 
 rate it, and precludes the possibility of self-preservation. 
 
 Mr. John Prouting, Master of the brig Elizabeth, 
 of Plymouth, who was wrecked at Yarmouth on the 
 12th of February, 1808, and with whom a communi-
 
 61 
 
 cation was effected, when no other means were possi- 
 ble, to which he has made attestation, has repeatedly 
 said, himself and crew were so benumbed by extreme 
 cold and fatigue, that they were ready to sink under 
 the inevitable fate that presented itself, but no sooner 
 was the rope unexpectedly thrown on board, than he 
 was instantly flushed with the conviction that he should 
 be saved with all his crew. He felt (to use his own 
 strong expressions) as if a new life had been 
 given him, and he with his people became collected, 
 and were enabled to take every precaution for their 
 preservation. He however lamented much the want 
 of general instructions to forward the effect of the 
 apparatus, as one of his men, from the powerful and 
 irresistible feelings of self-preservation, cut asunder the 
 very rope by which he was to be drawn on shore, and 
 
 AFTERWARDS LASHED IT ROUND HIS BODY. 
 
 For giving Relief to Vessels stranded on a Lee-shore in 
 a dark and tempestuous Night. 
 
 It will be requisite 
 
 First. To devise the means of discovering precisely 
 where the distressed vessel lies, when the crew 
 are not able to make their situation known 
 hy luminous signals.
 
 62 
 
 Secondly. To produce a method of laying the mortar 
 for the object, with as much accuracy as in 
 the light. 
 
 Thirdly. To render the flight of the rope perfectly 
 distinguishable to those who project it, and 
 to the crew on board the vessel, so that they 
 cannot fail of seeing on what part of the 
 rigging it lodges, and consequently have no 
 difficulty in securing it. 
 
 To attain the first object, a hollow ball was made 
 to the size of the piece, composed of layers of pasted 
 cartridge paper of the thickness of half an inch, having 
 a hole at the top to contain a fuze. 
 
 It was then filled with about fifty luminous balls of star- 
 composition, and a sufficient quantity of gunpowder 
 to burst the ball and inflame the stars. The fuze fixed 
 in the ball was graduated, to set fire to the bursting 
 powder at the height of 300 yards. Through the head 
 of the fuze was drilled holes, at equal intersections, to
 
 63 
 
 pass through them strands of quick match, to prevent 
 the possibility from any accident of the match falling 
 out, or from its not firing the fuze. 
 
 On the stars being released, they continued their 
 splendour while falling for near one minute, which 
 allowed ample time to discover the situation of the dis- 
 tressed vessel. 
 
 During the period of the light, a stand, with two 
 upright sticks (painted white, to render them more 
 discernible in the dark) was ready at hand, and pointed 
 in a direct line to the vessel. 
 
 iuiuituiHituuimuiiumn 
 
 A shell affixed to the rope, having four holes in it, 
 to receive a like number of fuzes, (headed as before 
 described) and filled with the fiercest and most glaring 
 composition, which when inflamed at the discharge of
 
 64 
 
 the piece, displayed so splendid an illumination of 
 the rope, that its flight could not be mistaken. 
 
 Report of Experiments made thereon, before a Com- 
 mittee of Colonels and Field Officers of the Royal 
 Artillery at Woolwich, on the 3d of May, 180D, 
 by Order of the Honourable Board of Ordnance. 
 
 Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, May 3, 1S09. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I request you will inform the 
 Master General and the Right Honourable Board, 
 that in obedience to their orders, communicated in your
 
 65 
 
 letter of the 28th ultimo, the Committee of Colonels 
 and Field Officers, named in the margin,* assembled 
 on the following day, to witness the further experi- 
 ments proposed by Captain Manby, with a view of 
 obtaining a communication from the land with stranded 
 vessels. 
 
 On this occasion Captain Manby exhibited his 
 contrivance for ascertaining the position of a ship 
 stranded during the night time, by projecting light 
 balls into the air, from a mortar at a high elevation, 
 by which means obtaining a momentary view of the 
 object, its situation is instantly and determinately 
 marked, by placing two upright sticks, fixed on a 
 short plank, which can be moved with the greatest 
 facility in the exact direction, and by which the mortar 
 can be laid with precision, in the usual manner. 
 
 Captain Manby then exhibited a contrivance to 
 insure the firing of the mortar in wet or stormy 
 weather, by means of a short pistol, the lock of which 
 is so covered by a tin box as to exclude the effects of 
 the wind or rain on the priming. 
 
 The next experiment was to prove the practica- 
 bility of throwing a life rope attached to a shot from a 
 
 * Present Lieut. General Lloyd, Colonel Ramsay, Lieut. Colonels 
 Bothwick, Riou, and Charlton; Majors Viney, Waller, Griffith, and Dixon.
 
 66 
 
 12-pounder carronade, and the application of a shell 
 with several fuzes, instead of a shot for the same pur- 
 pose, at night, so that the crew on board the stranded 
 vessel, by the brilliant light of the fuzes, could not 
 fail to see the projection of the rope to their assist- 
 ance. 
 
 I am happy to report to his Lordship and Honour- 
 able Board, that Captain Manby's experiments were 
 perfectly satisfactory to the Committee, and they have 
 no doubt of their successful application to the noble 
 purpose he has in view. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 VAUGHAN LLOYD, 
 
 Col. Com. Lieut. Gen. 
 To R. Crew, Esq. &c. &c. 
 
 To get a Boat from a Beach over the Surf. 
 
 The importance of going to the relief of ships in 
 distress at a distance from the land, or for taking off 
 Pilots, was viewed as of the highest consequence by 
 the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, and offered to
 
 7 
 
 my particular attention by several distinguished cha- 
 racters and Committees of Life Boats, who stated, that 
 if this important object could be reduced to certainty, 
 the greatest benefit to the commercial and maritime 
 interest of this country would result from it. The 
 necessity of the measure likewise was pointed out by 
 many who reside on the coast, from their witnessing 
 the loss of numerous lives and immense property, 
 owing to the insurmountable difficulties that have 
 ever presented themselves, and generally found to be 
 impracticable, with the united force of any number of 
 men by the power of oars, to keep a boat's head to the 
 sea, and to pull over a high surf and strong tide in a 
 storm. 
 
 After numerous experiments to accomplish it in 
 various ways, the mode following was most approved. 
 About forty fathoms of two and a half inch rope made 
 fast to two mooring anchors, was laid out parallel with 
 the shore, at a distance beyond the sweep of the surf; 
 to the centre of this rope was made fast a buoy of 
 sufficient power to suspend the great rope, and prevent 
 it from chafing on the sand, rock, or stones, as well as 
 embedding, a circumstance that has rendered it im- 
 possible on a sandy or shingly coast, to leave out an 
 anchor with a rope to it from the shore. As this
 
 6*8 
 
 service should be performed in fair weather (to be 
 prepared for the storm) it may be regulated with the 
 greatest exactness, and should take placeat the top of 
 high water, that the upper part of the buoy may be 
 at the full stretch of its power, and only seen at that 
 time. 
 
 Should the shore be extremely flat, it will be 
 desirable to place another set at a sufficient distance 
 beyond the first, to ensure the operation of this 
 method in any state of the tide. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of the Life Boat 
 belonging to Lowestoft, held January 10, 1810, 
 
 The Rev. J. G. Spurgeon, in the Chair, 
 
 It was unanimously resolved, that the experiment 
 of Captain Manby, in throwing a barbed shot over
 
 69 
 
 the bite of a rope suspended between two anchors, 
 placed at the distance of 120 yards from the shore, 
 was attended with complete success. The distance at 
 which the anchors were placed, was greater than any 
 surf ever reaches on the Lowestoft coast; and there- 
 fore the power acquired of hauling off a boat from the 
 shore, fully adequate to any difficulty that may arise. 
 The rope that was used, was two and a half inch thick ; 
 the distance to which the shot was thrown was above 
 120 yards; ten ounces of powder was put into the 
 mortar. The barbed shot possesses the advantage of 
 catching the rope that is suspended, and the more 
 tightly it is pulled the stronger is the hold it acquires. 
 
 It was then unanimously resolved, that the Com- 
 mittee should present their thanks to Captain Manby, 
 for his exertions on this day, and assure him they 
 shall be happy to see his benevolent plan carried into 
 general effect. 
 
 J. G. SPURGEON, 
 
 Vice-President, S. H. S. 
 
 MICHAEL MAURICE, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 At the Anniversary of the Suffolk Humane Society, 
 the members convened the attendance of the Pilots,
 
 70 
 
 salvage men, and sea-faring persons, to pass their 
 opinions on, and attest to, the method proposed. 
 
 Lowestoft, 17th July, 1810. 
 
 We, the undersigned Pilots and Beach-men of 
 Lowestoft, hereby certify, that we this day tried the 
 effect of firing a barbed shot from a five and half inch 
 mortar, with an inch and half line attached to it, over 
 a rope moored between two anchors, suspended in the 
 middle by a buoy to prevent its beaching. When at 
 a distance of 130 yards from the shore, and with four 
 ounces of powder, it was thrown over and caught the 
 rope; with eight ounces of powder the shot was car- 
 ried 50 yards beyond the mooring, and at the same time 
 caught it; and with a heavier shot attached to a two 
 and half inch tarred rope, belonging to the Lowestoft 
 life boat, it was with sixteen ounces of powder carried 
 over, and again caught the mooring rope. We do 
 hereby declare it to be our opinion, that if a mooring 
 rope and anchors were laid down on the Lowestoft 
 coast, and at other places, where boats are wanted to 
 be launched off an open beach in bad weather, it 
 would be of the greatest service to the shipping 
 interest of this country, as well as of rendering assist- 
 ance to shipwrecked mariners: and that a two and
 
 71 
 
 half inch rope is of sufficient strength to haul off the 
 largest class of pilot boats in the worst weather, and 
 would be of the greatest service to the life boat sta- 
 tioned at this place. 
 
 T. Lindsey. 
 D. Burwood. 
 J. Stark. 
 
 J. MlTCHELS. 
 
 J. 3TEBBENS,Sen. 
 
 J. Brame. 
 
 T. Masterson. 
 J. Palmer. 
 J. Taylor. 
 W. Gilby. 
 T. Swan. 
 
 J. Smith. 
 W. Green. 
 R. Rede. 
 T. Folkard. 
 W. Parker. 
 
 His 
 
 G. X Smith. 
 
 Mark. 
 
 S. Capps. 
 
 J. Cunningham. 
 
 R. Titlow. 
 
 J. Titlow. 
 
 J. Stebbens, Jun. 
 
 Directions for getting a Boat- from the Beach by the 
 proposed and approved Method. 
 
 The royal mortar being brought to the spot, is to 
 be pointed in the direction for the buoy, and should 
 be laid at a very low elevation, but such as to insure
 
 72 
 
 the range; for the more it is depressed, the less slack 
 of rope there will be from the parabola formed in the 
 shot's flight; the basket with the rope ready laid 
 (having a barbed shot to it) is to be placed in the front 
 of the mortar; on its being fired, instantly haul the 
 slack of the rope in, to prevent the effect produced 
 on it by a strong tide. Which being done, let the re- 
 mainder be gently hauled in to insure the shot's 
 grappling with the great rope ; when that is caught 
 and hooked, a power will be acquired fully adequate to 
 the service. 
 
 As a cast iron anchor appears particularly adapted 
 to this method, and would be much cheaper than 
 hammered, the following is a plan of one, which the 
 Honourable the Navy Board approved and allowed me
 
 73 
 
 to cast at their expense, for the purpose of making the 
 experiments. 
 
 Little is required to establish the importance and 
 advantages that will result from giving every boat the 
 properties of a life boat, particularly when taken into 
 consideration that it can be produced at a very trifling 
 expense. To estimate the value of a seaman's life in 
 the hour of war is no easy task, and yet it is often to 
 be rescued from a watery grave by this simple method. 
 To the mercantile interest of the country the loss of 
 one only of a crew, when at sea, is sometimes irre- 
 parable, and may prove not merely the destruction of 
 the remainder, but of the vessel and cargo; if, there- 
 fore, any ship's boat can be so fitted up at the small 
 sum of Three Pounds, so as to insure theWety of a 
 
 reWety of ;
 
 74 
 
 person who may accidentally fall or be washed over- 
 board, and who in the instances cited so often perishes 
 in a gale of wind from the boat swamping when it is 
 lowered to go to his assistance, it becomes a matter of 
 the first consideration to the maritime interest of the 
 country, whether every vessel going to sea should be 
 so provided. 
 
 To illustrate the method of giving the properties 
 of preservation to any boat, I have selected the repre- 
 sentation of a man of war's jolly boat, fitted up to 
 make experiments thereon, by permission of the Ho- 
 nourable Commissioners of the Navy Board. 
 
 To give it buoyancy, empty casks were well lashed 
 and secured in it. For the advantages of keeping it 
 in an upright position, launching from a flat shore,
 
 75 
 
 beaching, and to resist upsetting, it had billage boards 
 of equal depth with the keel, and when a good sized 
 piece of iron or lead was let into or made fast to the 
 keel, if any accident did upset the boat, it immediately 
 regained its original posture. A stout projecting rope, 
 with swellings upon it to increase its elasticity, sur- 
 rounded the gunwale, served as a fender, and pre- 
 vented it being stove in lowering down, or when 
 driven in contact with the vessel it might be going to 
 relieve. 
 
 The boat thus described had the plug out, and 
 was filled with water until it run over the gunwale, 
 when a crew of four, with myself, tried it in every 
 way, and found from the buoyant property of the 
 casks, it kept the boat so much above the water's 
 edge, that it was rowed with the greatest ease, and 
 was capable of performing any service required: this 
 was agreed to by all hands, and the experiment con- 
 firmed the security. 
 
 The importance of this simple and efficient method 
 of giving security to boats constructed for every par- 
 ticular part of the coast needs no comment; and in which 
 the people belonging to 'them feeling a confidence, 
 the benefits that will result from it are immediately 
 discovered. It is earnestly to be hoped the day is 
 not far distant, when every society around the coast
 
 76 
 
 possesing boats, will not only have one fitted up with 
 this mode of security, but will possess themselves with 
 the means of forcing their boats over a surf. There is 
 one method alone which will insure security to life 
 and commerce, viz. the Legislature giving a bounty 
 for every person saved in situations of great hazard, 
 when from the raging of the sea the people of the 
 coast are obliged to have recourse to the methods 
 proposed, and without which aid they would be in- 
 capable of going off to the relief of the sufferers. 
 Such an encouragement would infallibly answer the 
 great object: they could then afford to fit up their 
 boats, supply themselves with a proper mortar, 
 anchors, &c. the total expense of which would not 
 exceed twenty pounds; and be thus enabled to get 
 from a beach the largest description of boat, a cir- 
 cumstance HITHERTOIMPRACTICABLE FROM A FLAT 
 SHORE, WHEN OPPOSED TO A HIGH SEA. This Subject 
 
 will be touched upon again. But to return to the casks, 
 let those selected be strong and air tight, and such as 
 have had oil in them will be preferred; for being 
 saturated by that fluid, there is less danger of the air 
 escaping, and particularly when sent to a warm 
 climate : these are cheaper and more durable ; however, 
 it would be advisable to have them every year painted- 
 or coated with tar. In applying them they should be
 
 77 
 
 placed as low in the boat as circumstances will admit, 
 but certainly below the gunwale. 
 
 A disclosure of the means produced for discharging 
 guns, &c. without the application of fire cannot yet 
 be made, as of the several compositions that I have 
 found to answer the purpose, no one in particular has 
 been determined upon as best calculated to^ obviate 
 every fair objection, and to insure uniform success. I 
 am also naturally desirous of availing myself of the 
 judgment of the most scientific and experienced cha- 
 racters, whose collective opinions upon the effects 
 produced, will enable me to ascertain by the further 
 experiment intended to be made in the presence of his 
 Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, which of 
 them is fittest for the end in view. There are no less 
 than four different compounds, all hitherto answering 
 the purpose; but the ensuing experiments being pub- 
 licly made, will give an opportunity to every profes- 
 sional person to form an idea of that which shall be 
 the quickest in its operation, and altogether best cal- 
 culated for service. 
 
 I shall therefore for the present beg to offer, for 
 the attention of the reader, a short letter upon this 
 subject transmitted to me by an Officer, whose expe- 
 rience and judgment in every matter connected with
 
 78 
 
 his profession, renders him in all respects qualified to 
 give an opinion, and whose testimony I consider highly 
 flattering and encouraging. 
 
 Victory, Wingo Sound, 14th November, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I received by Captain Willes the 
 
 honour of your letter, with the small case containing 
 the materials for discharging guns without any appli- 
 cation of fire. I directed the experiment to be made 
 on board this ship, and the discharge from the gun 
 was as instantaneous as possible, without even the 
 cartridge having been previously pricked. 
 
 I consider the invention of this system of firing 
 guns without priming or the use of matches, to be 
 deserving the attention of Government, and, with your 
 former invention for relieving persons from shipwreck, 
 to entitle you to the highest credit. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 Sir, 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 J. SAUMAREZ. 
 
 G. W. Manbt, Esq. 
 
 Before I take my leave, one more remark must be 
 offered. In the introduction of my method for relieving 
 the distressed, far be it from me to take from the
 
 79 
 
 merit of any individual, and by the like equitable rea- 
 soning, no one would wish to wrest from me the 
 deserts of my labours. It certainly was my intention 
 to have passed unnoticed the many illiberal and un- 
 founded insinuations, which have almost followed me 
 to the present day, that this invention did not originate 
 with me. These insinuations I will not condescend 
 to refute, but simply call to the public eye what 
 has been submitted in these pages, leaving it to my 
 readers to form their own conclusions, and to determine 
 whether the merit of a discovery is with the man who 
 not only produces, but proves it.
 
 80 
 
 Having now concluded this little Essay for the 
 Preservation of Shipwrecked Seamen, I would fain 
 subjoin the following Address and Letter to the 
 Magistrates of the County of Norfolk : and whenever 
 the history of that County is recorded, I hope the 
 names of those Gentlemen of the Grand Jury (here- 
 with annexed) who so readily subscribed towards the 
 comforts of the unfortunate, and founded an institu- 
 tion so creditable to the nation, will be handed to 
 posterity; and I earnestly hope their benevolent ex- 
 ample will be imitated by the Lord Lieutenant and 
 Magistrates of every County bordering on the ocean. 
 
 To the shipwrecked mariner who has just survived 
 the pitiless storm, his first and only feeling is gratitude 
 to heaven, and the hand that saved him; but when 
 these feelings have in some degree subsided, he finds 
 his distresses not at an end, and his joys but transient. 
 Naked, and perhaps far distant from his native home, 
 he escapes a watery grave for new horrors, and desti- 
 tute of the means of reaching his family and friends, 
 is tempted to bewail his safety from the wreck as a 
 misfortune, and to look back on the death he has only 
 that moment avoided as an unwelcome event. But how
 
 81 
 
 different is the reverse of this picture ; with a heart 
 overflowing with gratitude to Providence, and the 
 intrepid hand that helped him in safety to the shore, 
 he is welcomed to a habitation, supplied with every 
 necessary his forlorn and helpless situation demands, 
 and by the philanthropic aid of Britons, the unhappy 
 traveller obtains the means of meeting those so dear 
 to him: thus his escape from the horrors of shipwreck 
 creates in him, " as it were, a new life."
 
 82 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 Those who reflect, how much of the coast of the 
 United Kingdom resembles that of Norfolk, on which 
 coast, it has been ascertained, that eight hundred 
 and fifty persons have perished within these last 
 twenty years, (without the crews of those vessels being 
 included, that were known to have been totally lost, 
 when driven on shore, during the long periods of a 
 winter's night,) must feel for the horror of a situation, 
 whose proximity to the shore affords no means of 
 escape. 
 
 And if so many hundreds of lives have been lost 
 on this part of the coast, how many more hundreds of 
 this valuable part of the community might be saved to 
 their country, if the means of affording them relief 
 were to be generally established! 
 
 The having witnessed many distressing scenes of 
 whole crews perishing, within one hundred yards 
 of the shore, from the impossibility of forming a 
 communication from the shore with the stranded ves- 
 sel, pointed out the necessity of adopting some certain 
 mode of preventing similar misfortunes; and to the
 
 83 
 
 invention of such apparatus as should best suit the 
 casualties of shipwreck, under the different circum- 
 stances of the nature of the coast, hour of distress, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 At length, after four years of earnest pursuit, 
 labour, and expense, the experiments have been so 
 far matured, as to have met with the approbation of 
 some of the most enlightened and experienced men in 
 the kingdom, (to whom these experiments have been 
 submitted,) and to the actual saving of ninety men 
 from a watery grave, with only six mortars, within the 
 space of the last two winters. 
 
 The application of these means having rescued so 
 many from almost immediate destruction, and the loss 
 of many crews having, about the same time, taken 
 place, for the want of such an apparatus on the spot 
 where the crews were seen to perish, determined that 
 distinguished philanthropist,* who was benevolently 
 seconded by the Treasurer of the Navyf, to address 
 the Prince Regent on the propriety of this 
 plan, for rescuing shipwrecked sailors, being carried 
 into general effect, along every dangerous part of the 
 coast of the United Kingdom, at the expense of the 
 Legislature. It has received his Royal Highness's 
 
 * Mr. Wilberforce. 
 + The Right Hon. George Rose.
 
 84 
 
 most generous approval ; and direction has been given 
 to me to carry it into immediate and general effect. 
 
 I cannot, however, feel satisfied, and leave the 
 work of humanity half perfected. That the ship- 
 wrecked mariner, if preserved, is brought on shore, 
 worn out with bodily fatigue, and mental horror and 
 agitation, with limbs benumbed and swollen with wet 
 and cold ; destitute, most probably, of either linen or 
 clothes, except those on his back, wet, drenched, and 
 dripping; that he preserves neither money nor means 
 to relieve himself, nor to procure those necessaries and 
 comforts, which cold, hunger, and nakedness claim ; 
 that he, perhaps, is many miles distant from his family 
 and friends, or from a port whence he might get a 
 passage to them ; these, and such like circumstances 
 of distress, which have been realized in many instances 
 of shipwreck, wherein I have been concerned, induce 
 me to make one effort more in behalf of such sufferers, 
 by recommending to the consideration of every county 
 where calamities of this kind are frequently occurring, 
 whether an alleviation of the hardships to which this 
 valuable order of men are exposed, might not be pur- 
 chased at an easy rate; whether the injury of their 
 health might not be easily repaired, or provided 
 against, comfort administered, and helped on their 
 way to their place of abode.
 
 85 
 
 For this purpose, I would propose, that 
 Societies be formed in the different mari- 
 time counties for such objects. 
 
 It may, possibly, be thought a difficult matter to 
 provide for contingencies, confined to neither time 
 nor place; but we have daily proof, that the great zeal 
 and invention of the people of this country are seldom 
 foiled, and that, when stimulated by motives of bene- 
 volence, will surmount almost impossibilities. 
 
 G. W. MANBY.
 
 86 
 
 MAGISTRATES 
 
 THE COUNTY OF NORFOLK. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, 
 
 I shall not, I trust, be con- 
 sidered guilty of presumption in addressing myself to 
 you, as Magistrates of a County in which I am proud 
 to declare I received my birth, by calling to your 
 attention, that amongst the many charitable establish- 
 ments which adorn the realm, whether they are of a 
 general or a local kind, they are, for the most part, 
 so constituted as to answer the end proposed in their 
 foundation. The want, however, of the fostering 
 hand of care of the superior orders, has prevented 
 some of them from producing the full effect of their 
 design, and the intention of the individual, from 
 whom a beneficial scheme may have originated, has
 
 87 
 
 in part failed, or not attained to a pitch of perfection. 
 In this County, celebrated for benevolence and libe- 
 rality, many a charitable institution flourishes under 
 the protection of the humane and opulent, testifying 
 the spirit that animates the heart of man. But 
 amongst the various establishments for the relief of 
 suffering humanity, which are founded in this County, 
 there is one, not (it may fairly be presumed) of the 
 least importance, which we cannot yet enumerate 
 and this is 
 
 "A Society for the Relief of Shipwrecked Mariners." 
 
 It is not a disinclination to advance such an Institu- 
 tion, that it exists not in this maritime and naval 
 county; it is only because the call has not been made 
 to those who can best support it, who can appreciate 
 its utility, and interest the public feeling in its pro- 
 motion. With this view, I offer my humble endea- 
 vour, as I cannot satisfy myself that my labour is 
 over, and this work complete, until comfort and 
 the necessaries of existence, are in these cases pro- 
 vided: without these, the motives by which I am 
 actuated cannot have their full scope. 
 
 You, therefore, Gentlemen, Guardians of the 
 Liberty of the Subject! Administrators of the Laws 
 of your Country ! Magistrates and Ministers of Reli-
 
 88 
 
 gion ! you are exhorted and entreated to encourage by 
 your sanction, and to promote by your example, an 
 Institution 
 
 For giving efficacy to whatever promises most to 
 excite the exertions of humanity, in saving the Life of a 
 Sailor. For providing such Clothing and Neces- 
 saries as may, in different cases, be required, when he has 
 escaped from Shipwreck And for assisting him to 
 his HOME." 
 
 These, and such as these, are the objects for which 
 your aid is solicited, and for which no appeal to your 
 feelings can be required : your own hearts will suggest 
 the propriety of such an Institution you will readily 
 advance its interests you will, I trust, sanction the 
 views of its author you will excite the noble and 
 opulent to extend their bounty you will assist the 
 Clergy in this benevolent task and by your influence 
 in the County, you will induce those who have the 
 means to lend their aid in this work of humanity and 
 mercy. You can want no further (and you can have 
 no higher) stimulus, than that of Religion. Nor can 
 an appeal to your Patriotism be needful; the bare 
 mention of the wants of British Seamen is enough to 
 excite your zeal and energies, in advancing an Insti-
 
 89 
 
 tution of such importance to our mariners. Consider- 
 ing the various blessings this Country so pre-eminently 
 enjoys that the comforts, nay, the ornaments and 
 embellishments of life, have been chiefly acquired 
 through their toil and, especially, that through them 
 we have been advanced in Naval Glory above every 
 Ration now existing, or recorded in History; when 
 we reflect, that, in spite of the efforts of our enemy, 
 our commerce has been increased to an extent unpre- 
 cedented both in our annals, and in those of once 
 rich and mighty states, you will feel disposed by every 
 motive to uphold, support, and comfort that race of 
 men, through whom these things have been attained, 
 and afford them both the casual consolation of the 
 moment, and also every kindly office, by assuaging a 
 calamity to which they are so repeatedly exposed. 
 
 You, Gentlemen, whose rank and station enable 
 you to promote so benevolent an Institution " A 
 Philanthropic Society for the Relief of 
 Shipwrecked Mariners" you! whose liberal 
 views and sentiments entitle you to estimate its due 
 value and importance you are called upon to encou- 
 rage and support, by your patronage and example, 
 this salutary measure to urge the Noble and the Rich 
 to unite with you, and the Ministers of Religion, in 
 giving strength and stability to it, in exhorting,
 
 90 
 
 encouraging, and entreating the Inhabitants of this 
 flourishing County, to co-operate with you in this 
 task of Charity and Patriotism. Let the splendid 
 examples of those Heroes and Statesmen who have, 
 in different aeras, graced this their native County, excite 
 you to emulate their virtues to be guided by those 
 truly dignified motives which actuated them and 
 never forget the last bequest of Him, who has attained 
 the highest pitch of Naval Glory and Excellence 
 " England expects every man to do his Duty:" 
 this Signal, by which the matchless standard of 
 valour, genius, and patriotism, has acquired a deathless 
 Fame, the gratitude and applause of remotest posterity 
 a signal which was no sooner repeated, than it was 
 answered by the most splendid and greatest triumph 
 which the world ever beheld upon the watery element, 
 during which he breathed forth his exalted soul, in 
 the cause of his Country, and his unconquerable 
 spirit ascended to that bright abode of reward and 
 endless Glory, leaving behind him a memory of un- 
 perishable fame. Amongst the various duties, then, 
 which as Britons we are called to fulfil, this, (if he is 
 permitted to observe us) must be most grateful to his 
 exalted soul; to behold bis Fellow Coun'rymen relieving 
 the wants of men, like those whom he has repeatedly 
 conducted to Victory and Renown of men, over
 
 91 
 
 whom he was not only their Leader, but Benefactor, 
 Parent, and Friend. These, and men like these, 
 require the hand of Liberality to promote and confirm 
 an Institution for the purpose of providing them relief 
 and comfort. The Seamen of Britain, Bulwarks of 
 our Strength, and Pride of our Glory, whose ardent 
 spirit, whose daring intrepidity, whose resolution, 
 whose contempt of death and danger, have hurled upon 
 our foes their boasting menaces these are the persons 
 who now claim your sympathy and support, in 
 establishing the plan here recommended a claim, 
 it will be admitted, founded in justice, and which you 
 will, no doubt, both cheerfully and willingly patronize 
 and advance. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 Gentlemen, 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 GEORGE WILLIAM MANBY, 
 
 Barrack Master of Yarmouth. 
 August 12,1811.
 
 92 
 
 Members of the Grand Jury of the County of Nor- 
 folk, who immediately founded an Institution for 
 alleviating the Sufferings of Shipwrecked Mariners. 
 
 Viscount PRIMROSE, 
 
 Sir JACOB ASTLEY, Bart. M.P. 
 
 Sir GEORGE JERMNGHAM, Bart. 
 
 Sir M. B. FOLKES, Bart. M. P. 
 
 T. W. COKE, Esq. M. P. 
 
 GEORGE BEAUCHAMP, Esq. 
 
 EDWARD STRACEY, Esq. 
 
 ANTHONY HAMOND, Esq. 
 
 J. MOTT, Esq. 
 
 T. T. BERNEY, Esq. 
 
 N. MICKLETHWAYTE, Esq. 
 
 R. B. COOPER, Esq. 
 
 E. K. LACON, Esq.
 
 93 
 
 When a man nobly hazards his life to save that 
 of another, and in the attempt perchance loses his 
 own, leaving a wife and numerous family to deplore 
 his loss, destitute perhaps of all protection and com- 
 fort, and dependant on a parish for subsistence, it 
 cannot be considered unreasonable, that he should 
 expect a stimulus to so meritorious an undertaking 
 it is in my opinion a justice in all respects due to him. 
 There remains then but one measure to ensure the 
 certainty of saving the shipwrecked seaman in almost 
 every situation, and particularly in those hazardous 
 cases, when, without it, it never can be accomplished. 
 I shall be freely pardoned for urging those Gentlemen, 
 who possess both influence and philanthropy, to 
 interest themselves in a matter of so much national 
 importance. In making this appeal, my wish is to 
 promote an inquiry, whether the greatest benefits 
 would not arise by granting a bounty, as head money, 
 to the active people of the shore for each life saved, 
 in every case of difficulty and hazard, when in the 
 effort the people of the shore expose their own lives 
 to the greatest danger. It has been the subject of a 
 Memorial to Government, and I anticipate it will be 
 attended to from the great public good likely to result
 
 94 
 
 from it. I am induced to make this representation in 
 behalf of the many gallant and enterprizing men, 
 whose conduct I well know how to appreciate, having 
 so often had occasion to applaud and admire their 
 intrepidity; and to show them the gratification I have 
 in fulfilling my promise of recommending their laudable 
 exertions to his Majesty's Government, and of request- 
 ing a reward for their meritorious zeal and humanity.
 
 ERRATUM. 
 
 Page 59, last Line, for close read clove.
 
 T. Bensley, Printer, 
 Bolt Court, Fleet Street, London. 
 
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