xii 



steadily at charting' those intricate seas, whilst his archaeological and 

 geological knowledge enabled him to make and publish many 

 scientific observations on the places visited. In 1847 he published 

 with Professor E. Forbes a work on ' Travels in Lycia.' 



During the Crimean war the " Spitfire " was attached to the fleet 

 in the Black Sea, and Commander Spratt's services were in constant 

 requisition. Besides surveys of all the places required for the 

 anchorage or operations of the fleet, some of them made under the 

 enemy's fire, he planned the attacks on Kertch and Kinburn, and 

 led the combined fleet to their position before the latter place. He 

 repeatedly received the acknowledgements of the Commander-in- 

 Chief, Admiral Sir E. Lyons, for his exertions on these and similar 

 occasions, and was finally promoted for his services in January, 1855. 

 He received the distinction of C.B. and of officer of the Legion of 

 Honour at the close of the war. 



On peace being proclaimed, Captain Spratt resumed his hydro- 

 graphical surveys in the Archipelago, and continued them until the 

 close of 1863. 



Amongst papers and works published by Captain Spratt may be 

 mentioned — 



' A Report on the Geology of Malta and Gozo,' 1854. 



' On the Movements of Teignmouth Bar,' 1856. 



'Deep Soundings in the Mediterranean,' 1856-7. 



' On the Comparative Conditions on the Different Mouths Branches 

 of the Danube,' 1858. 



i Investigation of the Effect of the Prevailing Wave Influence on 

 the Nile Deposits,' 1859. 



' On the Evidences of Rapid Silting in progress at Port Said,' 

 1870. 



' Travels and Researches in Crete,' in two volumes, 1865. 



This last work eminently illustrates his powers and versatility in 

 different branches of scientific observation, and contains much 

 valuable information on geological, archaeological, and other sub- 

 jects. 



Captain Spratt became a Rear-Admiral on the retired list in 1872, 

 and a Vice- Admiral in 1878. He was a Eellow of the Geological, 

 Zoological, and Geographical Societies, and of the Society of Anti- 

 quaries, and was elected a Eellow of the Royal Society in 1856. 



He was a Commissioner of Eisheries from 1866 to 1873, and held 

 the appointment of Acting Conservator of the Mersey from 1879 to 

 his death, which occurred on the 18th March, 1888. 



W. J. W. 



