77 
boat could also be made self-delivering, as well as self- 
righting. If by any accident the boat was injured, the 
water did not get in, as there were a number of air com- 
partments. When the boat was returning empty from the 
steam carrier, water might be carried as ballast. The boat 
was so constructed that if it was found dangerous for men 
to row it to the steam carrier it might be allowed to drift, 
and the carrier could pitch a grapnel over the painter and 
take the fish on board, and then return it in the same 
manner to the smack. Had he known that a special prize 
had been offered for a boat for this particular purpose, he 
should have devoted his attention to providing such a 
one. He had already received a gold medal for a col- 
lapsing boat, and a diploma for the one which he had just 
described. 
Mr. JEX said the Jury had minutely examined the boat 
exhibited by Mr. Berthon. 
Rev. Mr. BERTHON said the boat exhibited by him had 
not been sent to the Exhibition for the purpose of com- 
peting for the special prize. 
Mr. BUGLES (Berwick-upon-Tweed) said it would be a 
great blessing to his town if a harbour was constructed 
there, so that fishing-boats might go in and out at any 
time. At the present time they had no kind of shelter 
whatever on the Berwick coast, but he was happy to say 
that a company had now been formed for the construction 
of a harbour at Berwick, and he should be happy to show 
any one the plans which had been prepared. 
Mr. HELYARD said the subject of preventing loss 
of life at sea was one to which he had devoted ‘his 
attention for the last thirty years. In his opinion the 
fishing vessels were not large enough or strong enough ; 
they were good enough for fishing, but they were not strong 
