28Q Copper Sheathing, [Oct. 



convictiort) that the article originally complained of was calcu- 

 lated to convey a wrong impression to the world, and we know 

 it has in more than one case produced an injurious effect. The 

 impression derived from that article was, that Government had 

 abandoned Sir H. Davy*s plan altogether, which is contrary to 

 the fact ; and our cotemporary has been compelled by us to 

 admit, that all ships in a good condition in ordinary are to bejitted 

 with protectors. Our assertion was, that the application of pro- 

 tectors was suspended for sea-goins ships, but that they were to « 

 be applied to ships in ordinary, and we cited the Royal Sovereign "^ 

 as an instance. Let our readers compare this assertion with the 

 following public order, copied from the Plymouth Journal, and 

 we are sure they will feel satisfied that we nave done that which 

 was right — right for the public service, and right for the fame 

 of Sir H. Davy — the true and equitable mean which ought at all 

 times to be observed : — 



*' 'Public Order, July 23. 



" * In pursuance of an order from the Lords Commissioners of 

 the Admiralty of the i9th inst. we direct and require you to 

 consider it as a general rule, that ?^o sea-going ship is to be fitted 

 with Sir Humphry Davy's protectors, and that when such ships, 

 in good condition, come mto dock from time to time to refit, 

 the protectors now upon them are to be removed. 



*' *The protectors are, however, to be applied to ships in good 

 condition in ordinary, and when such ships are brought forward 

 for service, the protectors are to be removed, and the copper 

 cleaned.' " 



" In addition to this order, another v.as issued here on Mon- 

 day last, breathing the same spirit as the former, and affording 

 an additional confirmation of our views, for an additional con- 

 firmation it must be regarded, when it extends the application of 

 protectors even to sheer-hulks and receiving-ships. This order, 

 however, having been furnished confidentially from high autho- 

 rity, we do not feel ourselves at liberty to publish it, but any one 

 interested in the inquiry may, no doubt, see it in the Dock-yard. 



" We ask for nothing unfair. We ask only to have these 

 orders compared with the original article in the Journal,* — the 



* (Extract from the Plymouth Journal.) 

 " * Failure of Sir H. Davy's Plan for the Protection of Ships' Bottoms. — The 

 plan, some time since recommended by Sir H. Davy, to prevent the oxidation of copper 

 on ships' bottoms, and which was adopted by Grovemment with a laudable zeal for the 

 interests of sciences^ has not been found to produce the expected benefits. In the 

 instance of one of his Majesty's ships, which was fitted four years ago on Sir H. Davy's 

 plan, and which is now undergoing repair in this Dock-yard, it appears that the galvanic 

 influence of the iron has indeed prevented the oxidation of the copper, but the bottom 

 of the ship is found, as in the case of wood sheathing, to be foul with weeds and barna- 

 clet, to provide against which copper bottoms were originally adopted. We shall next 

 week more particularly allude to the nature of the process, meanwhile tee understand 

 that orders hai>e been received to discontinue the fitting of his Majesty s ships on Sir 

 Humphry Davy's principfc.' " 



