518 Correspondence on Magnetism of Ships, [Nov. 30, 



the most important condition of all that there should be a Standard Com- 

 pass (in addition to the Steering Compass) so placed as to be free from 

 local attraction. 



" This Board cannot, therefore, do what is wanted under the present 

 Acts. 



" There is, however, a body, namely, Lloyd's Register Committee, whose 

 proper business it is to see that ships classed by them are seaworthy, and 

 My Lords will refer this part of the subject to them, stating what they 

 hear upon the subject from the Royal Society. This Board will also 

 gladly communicate to Lloyd's any practical rules which the Royal So- 

 ciety can furnish as to the supply, placing, and adjustment of compasses, 

 and as to the effect upon them of different modes of construction of the 

 hull of the ship. 



"Secondly. As regards the diffusion of information on the subject of 

 compasses, especially among Merchant Officers, the first desideratum ap- 

 pears to be a clear and intelligible Manual or set of directions upon the 

 subject, containing such practical rules as the present state of Science can 

 furnish, and such a statement of the principles as may be necessary for 

 the comprehension of those rules. My Lords will be glad to be informed 

 by the Royal Society if they can put them in the way of obtaining such a 

 Manual. Any expense connected with its preparation will be readily de- 

 frayed by the Board of Trade. 



" The next step to be taken would be to introduce the subject into places 

 of nautical education. On this the Board of Trade can do nothing except 

 communicate with the Science and Art Department, which they will gladly 

 do on hearing from the Royal Society that such a Manual as above men- 

 tioned is in preparation. 



"The third step would be to introduce the subject more effectually into 

 Examinations in Navigation, and to have printed questions prepared for 

 the purpose. On this point also the Board of Trade would be glad to know 

 whether the Royal Society can give them information or assistance. One 

 difficulty which will arise will be the difficulty in finding Examiners who 

 have given sufficient attention to the subject, and the first step must pro- 

 bably be to instruct the Examiners themselves. For this purpose also 

 the suggested Manxial will be of great importance. 



" The steps suggested above may be taken with the aid of the Royal 

 Society, without any such appointment by the Board of Trade of an addi- 

 tional officer as the Royal Society suggest. 



" This disposes of most of the important points referred to. There arc 

 two which still require notice. The Royal Society propose that the sug- 

 gested new Officer of the Board of Trade shall assist at inquiries into 

 wrecks, where questions arise concerning the deviation of the compass. 

 Though the Board of Trade are not prepared to appoint a special officer 

 for this purpose, or to commit the inquiry to such an officer, they think 

 that it would be very useful if, in the cases of future inquiries into 



