110 REPORT—1863: 
tubes. A common speaking-trumpet will in the first instance be the most 
convenient. The direction and velocity of the wind should be recorded. 
“ The returns from each station should be sent, without delay or comparison, 
to the directing officer. 
‘‘ When a series of these experiments shall have given the comparative 
values of the above-mentioned signals, and their ranges as found by observers 
at rest, the work would be incomplete unless it were extended to the con- 
ditions which must occur in practice; and it should be tried, the observer 
being in a steam-ship under way, both in calm and rough weather. The pre- 
liminary trials will have sifted out much uncertainty, and only those cases 
which give good promise need be examined ; so that, with a moderate expen- 
diture of money and labour, we should possess a complete collection of the 
facts on which this element of nautical safety must be founded. 
“The money value of any one of the hundreds of ships which perish 
yearly through the inefficiency of the present fog-signals would far more 
than pay the cost of the experiments proposed; but who will price the gal- 
lant men who perish with them ? 
«T have the honour to be, 
‘Your obedient Servant, 
s Armagh Observatory, «T, R. Rosryson, Chairman.” 
May 22, 1863.” 
On the 6th of July, the Secretary of the Marine Department acknowledged 
the receipt of this letter, and informed me that ‘ Their Lordships are in 
communication with the Trinity House of London on this subject, with the 
view of haying experiments made.” 
On August 6th I wrote to Mr. Farrer, inquiring if any further steps had 
been taken; and on the 14th received an answer, enclosing a letter from the 
Secretary of the Trinity House, and Dr. Faraday’s report referred to in it. 
Its substance is, “That though the Elder Brethren entertain the opinions so 
ably enunciated in Professor Faraday’s letter, they are earnestly desirous of 
obtaining an elucidation of the important and comprehensive questions in- 
volved in the proposed inquiry, and will be ready to cooperate in any measures 
which their Lordships may desire to adopt for the attainment of that result.” 
I fear this implies that the Trinity House will make no great exertion for 
such “ attainment”—the “ opinions enunciated by Professor Faraday” being, 
in fact, that no attempt should be made by that Corporation to carry out the 
researches which we recommended to the Board of Trade. These opinions 
Dr. Faraday seems to have formed, not from any doubt of the importance of 
the subject, to which he bears the fullest testimony, nor from any conviction 
that the proposed experiments are useless or impracticable—for he does not 
discuss them at all,—but from a dread of the difficulty, the magnitude, and 
the expense of the investigation. These we believe he exaggerates ; but even 
taking them at his estimate, we think they will not be accepted by the public 
as a satisfactory excuse for the inertia of this powerful body in a matter which 
touches so deeply, not merely the commercial interests of the nation, but even 
the common instincts of humanity. 
I have not replied to the Secretary of the Board of Trade, as, before I 
could learn the opinions of my colleagues (to whom I at once forwarded the 
papers) our commission would have expired by the meeting of the Association. 
If it be its pleasure to reappoint us with instructions to persevere in seeking 
a more favourable result, I can answer for myself and the rest of the Com- 
mittee that our best efforts shall be directed to fulfil our trust. 
