1865.] and on the Meteorological Department. 527 



system to be adopted in the Mercantile Marine. This could only be elabo- 

 rated by careful and continued attention directed to the magnetic character 

 of the ships of the Mercantile Marine, their compasses, and the capabilities 

 of its officers ; and I think it must be assumed that no system can be ex- 

 pected to be satisfactory which docs not gradually develope itself under 

 proper supervision. 



" I have the honour to be, &c. 

 (Signed) " FREDERICK JOHN EVANS, 



Staff -Commander R.N., 

 Chief Naval Assistant, in charge 



of Magnetic Department." 

 " The Hydrographer of tht Admiralty." 



APPENDIX I. 



Extracted from the Queen's Regulations and the Admiralty Instructions for 

 the government of Her Majesty's Naval /Service. 



" No iron of any kind is to be placed nor suffered to remain within the 

 distance of seven feet of the binnacle or standard compasses, when it is 

 practicable, according to the size and construction of the vessel, to remove 

 it ; and mixed metal or copper is to be substituted for iron in the bolts, 

 keys, and dowels, in the scarphs of beams, coamings, and head-ledges, and 

 also the hoops of the gaffs and booms and belaying-pins which como 

 within the distance of seven feet of the compasses. 



" The spindle and knees of the steering-wheels which come within the 

 distance of seven feet of the compasses arc also to be of mixed metal. 



" Iron tillers, which work forward from the rudder-head, are not to 

 range within seven feet of the compasses ; and in vessels which have iron 

 tillers working abaft the rudder-head, the binnacles are to be placed as far 

 forward from the wheel as may be convenient for the helmsman to steer by. 



" The boats' iron davits are to be placed as far as may be practicable and 

 convenient from the compasses. 



"All vertical iron stanchions, such as those for the support of the deck, 

 or for the awnings, &c., and likewise the arm-stands, arc to be kept beyond 

 the distance of fourteen feet from the compasses in use, so far as the size of 

 the vessel will admit. 



" The binnacles for the steering-compasses are to be constructed upon a 

 given plan, with tops made to take off ; and in order to prevent improper 

 materials from being deposited therein, they are not to be fitted with 

 doors. 



" For the better preservation of the compasses, in every ship a closet 

 is to be constructed in a dry place, sufficiently large for the reception of 

 the ship's establishment of compasses, and it is to be appropriated to that 

 purpose exclusively, the key being kept by the Masters ; and in order that 



