On saving the Lives of Mariners. 457 
over the vessel in distress, from which a rope should be 
attached to it to hau! the crew on shore. x 
‘«¢ Captain Manby caused the howitzer to be dismounted 
from the horse, and in a very few minutes fired it, when 
the shot was thrown, with the line attached, to the di- 
stance of 143 yards, with 24 ounces of powder. In this 
experiment, Captain Manby used a kind of pear shot 124 
diameter in length, and weighing 4lbs. 120z. 19dr. by 
which additional weight the shot’s momentum and power 
over the line is considerably augmented, though the recoil 
js increased in proportion ; which does not appear to be a 
consideration of moment, when compared with the im- 
portance of communicating with the distressed vessel, 
«* At a subsequent trial, the horseman, fully equipped, 
travelled 14 mile, the howitzer was dismounted, and the 
Jine projected 153 yards in six minutes. 
“* 9d—~* Insuring the meaus of firing ordnance, and 
thereby affording relief, by a rope being projected, when 
the severities of storm prevent the possibility of a 
match being kept alight for that purpose; as on the 
success of this service every thing depends.’ 
<¢ Captain Manby exhibited a mode of firing ordnance 
by the chemical agency of two substances, which ignite 
when coming in contact with each other. The effect was 
certain aud instantaneous, and particularly well adapted to 
the services he proposes, which frequently happens during 
severities of weather, when it is most difficult to keep 
snatches alight, or to make the fire of a lock take effect ; 
and in situations where, from the impossibility of renew- 
ing alight, the delay might prove fatal. 
*< 3d—Captain Manby showed ¢ the construction and 
mode of laying and firing a piece of ordnance from a 
boat, when the sea is continually breaking over it, to 
communicate with a vessel that’ has grounded on a bar, 
in running for a! harbour ina storm, to approach 
which, from the broken water, it has been found im- 
possible to get to her without such aid.’ 
“ On this occasion, a 12-pounder howitzer was fired 
witb six ounces of powder, which projected a shot and a 
deep sea-line 74 yards. The explosion shattered a wooden 
cover to pieces, which was placed over the howitzer to pre- 
serve it from the waves, and struck several by-standers 
with violence, proving its application at the moment of 
firing to be dangerous, and particularly in a boat where the 
men must be very close to the piece. The cominittce ual 
P 2 ‘ the 
