2 Wilde, Search-LigJits for the Mercantile Marine. 



In 1873 '"'"'y inventions were sufficiently developed to 

 enable me to submit them to the Admiralty, as a pro- 

 tection against torpedoes, when, after lengthened trials at 

 Spithead (1874-1875) by a joint War Office and Admiralty 

 Committee, they were definitely adopted and a number 

 of first-class battleships were equipped with search-lights 

 under my direction. 



In 1876 Admiral Sir Heauchamp Seymour, com- 

 manding the Channel Squadron, rejjorted to the Lords 

 Commissioners of the Admiralty as follows : — 



" I. The Electro-Magnetic Machine, fitted to the 

 " ' Minotaur' by Messrs. Wilde and Co., has now been 

 " in use for seven months, and having thoroughly 

 " tried it under all circumstances of wind and weather, 

 " including fog, I am enabled to give my testimou}- to 

 " its great value." 



" 2. I do not consider that a vessel blockading an 

 " enemy's port, and obliged by circumstances to 

 " remain at anchor, would be safe without it." 



"3. It would be of the utmost use in a night 

 " action, and in determiuing the character of a vessel 

 " approaching the ship, carrying it by night. These 

 " points have been am[)ly tested in the Channel 

 " Squadron since Ncjvember last, when cruising in 

 " company or at night quarters." 



" 4. h^or the ordinary purposes of navigation it 

 " has also its advantages, as while passing through a 

 " narrow channel by night a light can be thrown on 

 " either shore ; the amount of this, however, depends 

 " much more than would be imagined on the state of 

 " the atmosphere at the time." 



" 5. It is also extremely useful when vessels are 

 " approaching or passing each other." 



