of Mariners in Cases of Shipivreck. 297 



shore, it would be proper to have the piece loaded, the line 

 reeled upon hand-spikes or poles, and laid upon the deck 

 ready for firing at any time it might be judged necessary. 

 The hand-spikes or poles, the line is reeled upon, preserve 

 it in an horizontal form ; and they are not to be drawn out 

 until. the instant of firing: in this manner the line will de- 

 liver itself freely. 



The five water-casks should also be prepared in readiness, 

 by lathing them together, and a seaman's chest fixed upon 

 the top of them, having part of its ends or sides cut out in 

 order to let out such water as may be thrown into it by the 

 surf. I dare undertake to land with such a float upon a lee 

 shore any where upon the coast, when it might be deemed 

 unsafe for a boat to make 2;ood its landing. 



7th. There is every reason to conclude that this contri- 

 vance would be very useful at all ports of difficult access 

 both at home and abroad, where ships are liable to strike 

 ground before they enter the harbour, as Shields Bar, and 

 other similar situations, when a line might be thrown over 

 the ship, which might probably be the means of saving both 

 lives and property ; and moreover, if a ship was driven on 

 shore near such a place, the apparatus might easily he re- 

 moved to afford assistance; and the whole performance is so 

 exceedingly simple, that any person once seeing it done, 

 would not want any further instructions. 



John Bell. 



Woolwich, Aug. 29,1791. 



Some further Observations made by Lieutenant Bell, upon 

 ike application of the Mortars intended for throwing a 

 Line on Shore, in case of a Ship being stranded. 



1st. In trading ships, this piece would answer for making 

 signals of distress, by filling the chamber with powder, and 

 well wadding it, as the report would be heard some miles 

 distance at sea. 



2d. Such a gun, being accompanied with a few rounds of 

 round and grape-shop, would defend a ship much better than 

 a longer gun, against any piratical or other hostile inten- 

 tions, 

 3 



