ON STEaM-SHIP performance, 271 



S. Ditto ditto, in Loch Ness and Loch Lochy, October 26th and 27th, 

 1858. 

 IV. Return showing experiments with the steam-yacht ' Erminia,' in 

 Stokes Bay, October 12th, 1858. 

 V. Return of particulars respecting the steam-ship 'Mersey,' whilst under 



trial. Furnished by the Royal Mail Company. 

 VI. Return of particulars respecting the steam-ship ' Paramatta,' whilst 



under trial. Furnished by the Royal Mail Company. 

 VII. Return of particulars respecting the steam-ship 'Lima,' whilst on 

 trial between Liverpool and Dublin. Furnished by the Pacific 

 Steam Navigation Company. 

 VIII. Return of particulars respecting the steam-ship 'Admiral,' whilst 

 under trial. Recorded and furnished by Dr. Rankine. 

 IX. Return of particulars respecting the steamship ' Emerald.' Furnished 

 by Mr. Thomas Steele, of Ayr. 

 Your Committee consider that it does not devolve upon them to institute 

 any comparisons, or attempt to draw any conclusions, from the returns of 

 performances laid before them. 



Their duty is to collect information from authentic sources ; but they do 

 not hold themselves answerable for the facts with which they may be 

 furnished. 



The returns now made public will doubtless receive the notice of scientific 

 and practical men, and the Committee anticipate benefits to science not less 

 than to the commercial interests of the country, by the scrutiny which the 

 facts stated will doubtless undergo by individuals engaged in these pursuits. 

 It is by the investigations of such persons that truth will be more satisfac- 

 torily brought out, and nature's laws vindicated, than by any attempt of the 

 Committee in their collective capacity, but in which it is hoped individual 

 members will bear their part; and when the caution which now naturally 

 keeps back many from contributing their quota of information shall be re- 

 moved by experience of the practical use of the labours of the Committee, 

 and of their singleness of purpose, it may be expected that the materials of 

 which the British Association will be the recipient, and which will be ac- 

 c< ssible to the world at large, will place what at present can only be called 

 the art of ship-building, on the foundation of that pure science which acts in 

 harmony with nature's laws. 



The records of performance of Her Majesty's screw-vessels having been 

 published subsequently to the commencement of the sittings of your Com- 

 mittee, they beg to express their sense of the wisdom of such a course, which 

 they trust will be persevered in. 



These records, in the form of a blue book, were well known to many, and 

 Mr. W. Smith, C.E., a member of your Committee, had procured a copy for 

 their use, which it was intended should be introduced into the Appendix of 

 this Report, but which the publication renders now unnecessary. 



These records are, however, incomplete as scientific data, as will be seen on 

 comparing them with the form furnished to the Admiralty by your Committee. 

 In conclusion, the Committee recommend the re-appointment of a Com- 

 mittee, enlarging their powers to embrace returns relating to sailing ships, 

 with a grant of money to enable them to collect information through their 

 Secretary, and to defray the expenses of printing. 



They cannot close this Report without expressing their best thanks to Mr. 

 W. Smith, C.E., fur the use of a room in ins offices, and also for his kind 

 liberality in printing and presenting to the Committee the circulars, forms, 

 logs, returns, &c, here referred to. 



They beg also thus to thank Mr. J. Yates for the kindness which enabled 



