PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. Ixxxi. 



is one of the chief difficulties in the way of the former plan, but 

 it is probable that it will be adopted. An imperfect weld in a 

 tie-bar caused the collapse of a portion of the roof at Charing 

 Cross station on December 5th, which was attended with an 

 extraordinarily small loss of life considering the circumstances, 

 whilst more recently we have to deplore in France the most fatal 

 colliery accident which has ever taken place, resulting in the loss 

 of 1,200 lives. 



The Russo-Japanese war has had a far-reaching effect in 

 modifying opinions on naval matters, and one of the first 

 practical results is seen in the Dreadnought, a battleship of 

 a new type lately launched, of 18,000 tons, carrying ten 

 12-inch guns, and propelled by turbines. These guns are 

 capable of piercing 32 inches of wrought-iron or 14 inches of 

 steel, at a distance of 3,000 yards, and weigh about 50 tons 

 each. 



The comparatively new turbine engines have been tried with 

 great success in the Carmania, a large ship belonging to the 

 Cunard line, in which they proved at least 16 per cent, more 

 economical than the reciprocating engines in the sister ship. 

 Trials in other ships have had similar results. 



The recent invention of a submarine bell attached to a light- 

 ship or buoy seems likely to be a useful means of calling 

 attention to dangerous spots in the case of ships fitted with the 

 corresponding sound-receiving apparatus. The bell can be 

 heard at three to five miles distance, and its direction noted. 

 The navigation of the air is making progress, and the Lebaudy 

 airship has made numerous satisfactory trials. Lifting by means 

 of kites has also been much developed. 



The important question (especially to non-motorists) of the 

 prevention of dust- raising by motor-cars has been the subject 

 of numerous experiments, the most effective of which seems to 

 be the preparation of the road with a heavy oil, which, properly 

 applied, may prevent any dust for a whole season. It has also a 

 good effect on the durability of the roads. The kind of tyre and 

 shape of the car, and other details, are of importance. 



