THE "BLACK HO I- 1. fl> 



in value by injury from the poisonous atmosphere of the 

 holds. Coal-laden ships are frequently destroyed by tire 

 from spontaneous combustion from want of adequate venti- 

 lation through the coal. 



The subject indeed is one urgently demanding the most 

 earnest attention of all who claim to have the welfare of 

 humanity at heart, while it also appeals to those who desire 

 to mitigate the tortures of animals during transport. The 

 amount of suffering and destruction which has occurred, and 

 we fear will yet occur for a considerable time to come, on 

 board emigrant, cattle, and coal-laden ships through the want 

 of proper ventilation is too appalling for description. In some 

 instances when, owing to stress of weather, every opening is 

 battened down and made both water-tight and air-tight, the 

 horrors of the "Black Hole" were trifles in comparison. 

 During bad weather the old-fashioned ventilators commonly 

 used on board ship have to be removed. 



With the view of finding, if possible, a remedy for this 

 deplorable state of things, the Worshipful Company of Ship- 

 wrights offered a prize of 50, which, to his honour be it 

 mentioned, was generously presented by ex-Sheriff Burt for 

 the best system of ventilating ships which might be sub- 

 mitted to them. Mr. Robert Boyle, jun., grappled with the 

 problem, determined as usual to succeed. A complete system 

 of ventilation that would be perfectly self-acting, require no 



