On saving the Lives of Mariners. A59 
to a vessel stranded on a very flat shore, which is con- 
sequently a considerable distance from the land.’ 
s‘ With this view Captain Manby charged an 8-inch 
mortar with two pounds of powder, and with an elevation 
of 23° degrees projected 2 63-pound shot, with the deep- 
sea-line, to the distance of 439 yards. The committee 
consider this application of the 8-inch mortar to promise 
great utility in the situations Captain Manby has described, 
“* gth—* To illustrate by experiment the method and di- 
stance an 8-inch barbed shot can be projected, for the 
purpose (when it is impossible without such aid) to 
haul a boat from a beach over a high raging surf, to go 
to ships in distress at a distance from the land, with a 
patent Sunderland 2-inch rope of uncommon strength, 
and which has actually saved, this winter, 29 persons.’ 
<¢ Captain Manby had previously piaced two anchors and 
buovs, united bya hawser, at two cables length distance from 
the mortar, the explosion of which, with two pounds of 
powder, broke the patent rope, and caused the experiment 
to fail in the first instance. Captain Manby afterwards re- 
peated the trial with success, projecting the shot and rope 
336 yards. 
“‘ The committee therefore consider this last proposition 
as being practicable, as far as the projection of the rope is 
concerned ; the want of success at the first trial appearing 
to have arisen from accident in the mismanagement of th¢ 
rope, to which casualties such experiments must always be 
subject. 
« After the most careful attention to the experiments 
exhibited by Captain Manby, and the fullest consideration 
of all the impreyements which he has made, the committee 
are of opinion they cannot too strongly recommend an in- 
vention, the partial application of which has been attended 
with such beneficial effects. 
“© [t is also the wish of the committee to render their full 
tribute of praise to Captain Manby, for his ingenuity in so 
much improving and bringing into practical use this inven- 
tion, to the perfecting of which he has so zealously and 
skilfully devoted himself. 
“ But the committee at the same time feel that they 
should not entirely discharge, their duty, were they to omit 
observing, that the committee of the honourable House of 
Commons do not seem to haye been informed of all the 
means proposed by the late Lieutenant Bell, of the royal 
artillery, for the attainment of the same Jaudable object ; 
it being stated in that honourable committee’s Report, set 
‘s 
