xxxiv INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. 



The Chairman :— The gentlemen are declared to be elected to the various grades of 

 membership indicated in the report of the Secretary. 



Vice-President McFarland then read the following address : — 



ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER. 



The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. 



Gentlemen : — At the last meeting of the Society, a portion of the President's address 

 was devoted to a notice of the death of some of our distinguished members. That sad duty 

 arises again this year, as we have lost two of our Honorary Vice-Presidents, Mr. Charles H. 

 Cramp and Mr. George W. Quintard, and our oldest Honorary Member, Sir William H. 

 White, K. C. B. 



In their day of activity, Messrs. Cramp and Quintard were leaders in our profession^ 

 both being at the head of establishments famous in marine work. I count it a privilege to 

 have known both of these distinguished men and to have been honored with their friendship, 

 and I am glad to have the honor of bearing testimony to their ability and to their splendid 

 work for American shipbuilding. They were among the founders and incorporators of our 

 society, and were vice-presidents from the beginning. They showed their interest by becom- 

 ing life members and thereby helping to give the Society a solid financial basis. 



As Mr. Quintard's fimeral occurred in New York, the Society was represented among 

 the honorary pall-bearers, and a great many members were present at the service. In the case 

 of Mr. Cramp and of Sir William White, this was not possible, and resolutions of condo- 

 lence were sent to their families. 



Sir William White has been an honorary member of the Society since November, 1904. 

 He was one of the world's greatest naval architects, and no man was more revered by his 

 brethren on this side of the ocean. 



The report of the Secretary-Treasurer at the last meeting showed a total membership 

 of 731 and during that meeting 67 new members were added, so that at the close of our 1912 

 meeting we had a membership of 798. During the past year the Society has suffered some- 

 what by deaths and resignations, but these losses have been more than offset by the new 

 membership just elected. 



It is also a noteworthy fact that a great improvement is shown in the payment of back 

 dues and that it was not necessary to drop any members after the meeting last year for fail- 

 ure to pay their dues. All those in substantial arrearage either paid up or showed an incli- 

 nation to make partial payments. 



The financial condition of the Society demonstrates careful management of our limited 

 resources. We find that our Secretary-Treasurer has been able, after paying all current 

 bills, to forward $500 to the committee in charge of the Panama-Pacific Engineering Con- 

 gress, to invest in a certificate of deposit for $1,000, and that a substantial balance remains 

 on deposit. 



It will be noticed that the Society is holding its annual meeting nearly a month later 

 than usual. This change was decided upon by the Council in order to accommodate the ac- 

 tive and energetic membership which comes from the Great Lakes, and who, owing to condi- 

 tions existing about the middle of November, have never heretofore been able to attend our 

 meeting in the numbers desired. We must say that our Lake friends have made a strong and 



