1868. | Mechanical Science. 545 
kingdom, he showed how necessary it was for the preservation of 
hfe that in every case the strictest possible investigation should 
take place as to the cause of the catastrophe. He urged more 
particularly the granting of power to the coroner to call in profes- 
sional engineers to investigate and report on the condition of the 
boiler. Frequently the most frivolous and absurd reasons for the 
explosion are given and accepted by the jury, resulting in most 
cases in a verdict of “ Accidental death,” while the boiler, which in 
many instances, owing to defective construction, or wear and tear, 
is really the root of the evil, is left unexamined. In such cases, 
it would be possible, if the course pointed out were adopted, for the 
relatives of the dead or injured persons to recover pecuniary damages 
from the party really in fault; whether the manufacturer who has 
put bad material into the boiler, or the owner who has neglected to 
have it periodically inspected and reported sound. Especial re- 
ference was made to the Association for the Prevention of Steam- 
boiler Explosions, by means of which every owner could assure 
himself, at a moderate cost, that his boiler is in a condition fit for 
working without endangering the lives of all in its neighbourhood. 
In the discussion which followed this paper, Mr. Fletcher’s argu- 
ments were illustrated by reference to a boiler explosion which 
occurred in the city of Norwich about two years ago. The cause 
of this disaster was simply that the boiler was a bad one, though 
new, and made under a special contract as to the quality of the 
plates; and this was recognized by the jury in their verdict, re- 
sulting in the recovery of heavy damages from the maker to the 
amount of 2,0002. 
Professor Rankine contributed a paper “On the Probable Con- 
nection between the Resistance of Ships and their Mean Depth of 
Immersion ;” and Mr. Merrifield one “On the Necessity for 
further Experimental Knowledge respecting the Propulsion of 
Ships.” Both of these papers referred to unknown elements in 
the resistance which vessels meet with in their passage through the 
water, though those elements may be due to different causes; and 
urged the adoption of experimental researches for the purpose of 
determining them. 
Interesting papers were also read by Captaim Douglas Galton 
“On a New Ventilating Fireplace ;” by Mr. P. Le Neve Foster, 
jun., “On the Irrigation of Upper Lombardy by Canals, to be 
derived from the Lakes Lugano and Maggiore ;” and by Mr. J. H. 
Gwynne, “On an Improved Centrifugal Pump.” 
