ON STEAM-SHIP PERFORMANCE. 269 



forth that, in the opinion of the Committee, it would be conducive to the 

 advancement of science, the improvement of both vessels and engines, and to 

 the great advantage of Her Majesty's service, if the trials of the Queen's ships 

 were conducted on a more comprehensive plan, directed to definite objects of 

 practical utility, on a scientific basis, and recorded in a uniform manner, and 

 that the Committee believe that exact experiments and scientific records of 

 performances, such as they are now contemplating, would lay the foundation of 

 improvements in naval architecture, so that for the future it would be practi- 

 cable to build ships, whether for the Royal Navy or for the Merchant Service, 

 possessing high speed, great capacity, small draught of water, economy of 

 power, and all the qualities which constitute a good sea-going ship, with much 

 greater certainty than heretofore ; and the Committee further stated that they 

 were prepared, if desired, to conduct such experiments. 



They also solicited an interview, in order that they might more fully explain 

 their views. 



A deputation, consisting of — 



Admiral Moorsom, The Hon. Capt. Egerton, R.N., 



The Marquis of Stafford, M.P., J. Scott Russell, 



The Earl of Caithness, J. E. M'Connell, 



Lord John Hay, M.P., William Smith, 



Lord Clarence Paget, M.P., Henry Wright, 



The Hon. A. Ellis, M.P., 

 accordingly waited upon Sir J. S. Pakington, the late First Lord ; and, in 

 addition to the Memorial, they handed in a written statement, particularizing 

 the nature of the experiments they considered desirable, together with the 

 Circular and Form of Return for trial performances at the measured mile, 

 which Form they suggested should be adopted by the Admiralty, instead of 

 that already in use. 



The deputation was favoured with an interview of considerable length, and 

 the subjects brought forward were fully discussed. The result was that the 

 First Lord admitted the great importance of the subject, and promised that 

 the statements of the Committee should receive every consideration. 



Political changes, however, having intervened, no steps had been taken for 

 practically carrying their suggestions into effect, but your Committee have 

 been informed that the consideration of the subject has been taken up by the 

 present Administration. 



Your Committee waited by deputation also on the Board of the Royal Mail 

 Company, and after explaining their objects, and laying before the Board 

 copies of the same documents as had been presented to the Admiralty, re- 

 ceived the assurance that the Directors were willing and desirous to render 

 every assistance, by furnishing all the information they possessed, as to the 

 performance of the steam- vessels under their direction ; and they have since 

 furnished the trial data of the vessels fitted for sea since that date, as will be 

 seen by the subjoined list of particulars communicated to this Committee. 



The period, however, which has elapsed since the issue of the Circular and 

 Form of Return being comparatively short, and the subject of scientific in- 

 quiry to mercantile men somewhat novel, the Committee feel that time is 

 required to develope the interest, both in a commercial and a scientific point 

 of view, which it so justly demands. 



Your Committee have also been in communication with the Peninsular 

 and Oriental Steam-ship Company, the West India Mail Company, and some 

 large proprietors of steam- vessels, into whose hands they have placed the 

 forms of return, and have received the assurance that, as opportunity offers, 

 they shall be filled up and returned, in compliance with the Committee's 

 request. 



