PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 521 



holds the seas in the hollow of His hand. We passed up the 

 channel and communicated at Hastings with some fishermen, who 

 told ns that the Great Eastern had successfully crossed the ocean 

 and laid the Atlantic cable. At Deal we were offered a pilot; 

 declined. Rounding the South Foreland we beat up ,'igainst a 

 head wind to Margate; IGth, blowing heavy from W. 8. W. 

 Capt. Thomas Wather, of the boat Jessit, seeing the wind so 

 heav}' came along and towed us into harljor. The crowd cheered 

 us heartilj^ We remained at Margate until the 18th, anct were 

 glad to stretch our tired limbs in a bed on shore. Our dear little dosr 

 Fanny died here at our feet. Poor dog ! Childish as it may 

 appear, we wept over her body. W^e have crossed the ocean in 

 thirty-four days, met storms and Avinds, and have demonstrated 

 that an American lifeboat, with an American crew, can cross the 



stormiest ocean in the world. 



JOHN M. HUDSON, 



Red, WJdte and Blue. 



After the lifeboat's arrival in England some few persons doubted 

 . the fact of her having sailed across the ocean, when the following 

 challenge was sent to Europe, and was extensively copied by the 

 press. It was, however never accepted : 



To the Editors of the London Herald : 



"Sir — Doubts have been raised as to the IngersoU metallic life- 

 boat Ited, White and Blue having made the passage across the 

 Atlantic. As the little boat and her brave crew were spoken in 

 mid-ocean, after having left this port, one would think this in 

 itself was enough ; but if there are any who are not satisfied even 

 yet, I am willing to wager the sum of $10,000 in gold against 

 $1,000 that she did cross the ocean ; and, further, I will wager 

 $10,000 in gold against a like amount that Captain Hudson and 

 Mr. Fitch can do it again. I will give the first $1,000 to the poor 

 of London, and on the second wager, if I win, I will give one-half 

 to the poor of London and Liverpool, and one-half to Captain 

 Hudson and Mr. Fitch. This certainly is a fair offer to any and 

 all who would seek to deprive both the men and the boat of the 

 credit they deserve. 



"Very respectfully your obedient servant, • 

 " OLIVER ROLAND INGERSOLL, 

 '■'■ Metallic Lifeboat Builder, 



"New YoEK, Sept. 24, 1866." "243 South-street, Neio York. 



