REPORT OF CAPTAIN POPHAM. 145 



SECOND REPORT OF CAPTAIN POPHAM. 



New York, May 9th, 1846. 

 Charles Goodyear, Esa., 

 New Haven. 



Dear Sir, 



With much pleasure I again reply to your inquiries respecting 

 the patent India rubber sail. It has now been with me six suc- 

 cessive trips across the Atlantic, and I can assure you has 

 received no favor. It appears to me to possess great durability, 

 is easily handled in wet or frosty weather, not being stiffened 

 in the least degree by either the one or the other, and is also 

 not liable to mildew. 



I consider your invention valuable to all engaged in ocean 

 navigation. 



I am, dear Sir, 



Yours truly, 



Charles W. Popham, 



of Ship Stephen Whitney, 



The sail was taken off before the loss of the Stephen Whitney, 

 and sent to Washington for inspection, when the orders for sails 

 for government vessels before alluded to, were given by Col. 

 Stanton. 



ship lights. 



The use of gum-elastic for ship lights is the invention of 

 another,* for which he obtained letters patent. The improve- 

 ment in this article consists in placing a cushion, or packing of 

 gum-elastic, around the metal sash upon which the lid or cover 

 of the light shuts, for the purpose of keeping out the water in 

 rough weather, the importance of which will be readily per- 

 ceived. The construction of these lights may be better under- 

 stood by reference to plate , fig. 



. * Mr. Enoch Hidden, New York. 



