1084 Experiments and Papers, [No. 144. 



Surgeon might be instructed to report, after a certain interval of time, 

 upon the condition of the tanks, and the comparative amount of the 

 oxide of iron found in each, also as to the state of the water they res- 

 pectively contained, whether pure and wholesome, or otherwise ; and as 

 the result of the whole, which of the two tanks they recommend as 

 best calculated for the storing of water. 



These remarks have been thrown together under circumstances par- 

 ticularly unfavorable, for from a very painful abscess forming subse- 

 quently to an attack of fever, the greater part of the rough draught of 

 this letter has been drawn up in bed, whilst this copy has been written 

 in great pain ; this must be my apology for the very desultory and very 

 hurried character of my communication, which I was anxious should be 

 forwarded to you previously to the docking of the Proserpine, which I 

 have been given to understand will take place in a few days, and which 

 will afford a favorable opportunity for experimental trial, and of forming 

 a fair comparison between her condition and that of the Phlegethon, 

 after they have been a few months at sea, should any of the suggestions 

 contained in this letter be acted upon in the refit of the Proserpine. 



Should you consider these observations to be either presumptuous or 

 intrusive. I am sorry for having occupied so much of your time in such 

 a manner, but ask your excuse upon this ground, that they have been 

 dictated solely by a desire to promote, as far as lay in my power, the 

 interest of my country, both political and commercial, in this quarter of 

 the globe. But not to detain you longer, with every respect, 1 am, 



Howrah, July 12, 1841. Dear Sir, &c. 



(Signed) Charles Johnson. 



(True Copy.) 

 (Signed) C. B. Greenlaw, Secretary. 

 Fort William, Marine Superintendent's 

 Office, the 23d Sept. 1843. 



No. 1156 of 1841. 



Superintendent's Office, Bombay, Ibth July, 1841. 



Sir, — In compliance with your request, I have the honor to state, 



that as yet experience on the durability of Iron Vessels exposed to 



Sea- water in Bombay, does not afford sufficient data forjudging of the 



probable durability in comparison with the same material on the Ganges. 



