Report of the Committee on Colour- Vision. 339 



close, and one false move precipitates calamity. Stormy weather is 

 at times the clearest, but often the condition of weather is such 

 that a man, upon seeing- the lights, is close upon the other vessel, 

 and has very little time to make up his mind. That is, in fact, 

 the normal condition of affairs round the British and American 

 coasts. The man who can see green thoroughly and easily will 

 have a larger margin for action. In the case of a man whose 

 vision is imperfect, he would waste his time in making up his 

 mind as to the colour, and pride would not allow him to call any- 

 body to his aid. 



Question — You have had large experience at sea ? — Yes. 



Question — Do you think red and green are the best lights ? — 

 The best up to the present, but we want a better green ; it is too 

 weak. It is apt to turn white in a fog. It does occasionally 

 happen in enquiries that there is a difference in the evidence 

 about the light shown, but I cannot answer from my own 

 experience. I have never given evidence before the Admiralty 

 Court. 



Question— Would you recommend, in cases of collision, that 

 an examination should be made as to the colour-vision of the 

 officer in charge of the vessel ? — Yes, whenever there was 

 reason to doubt about it. 



Question — Have you any knowledge of training ships? — I 

 examine boys from the " Conway " and " Indefatigable," as officers, 

 in one case, and sailors in the other. The examinations are 

 systematic. If I reject them, it is a check against their further 

 going to sea. Sometimes a boy does not want to go to sea after 

 putting his parents to trouble and expense, and finds colour- 

 blindness a good way to get out of it. I had one case in which 

 a boy called every colour by its wrong name, avoiding the right 

 name all round. I failed him, and told his people I did not think 

 his colour-blindness was genuine. 



Question — Then after receiving all the advantages of the 

 training he might be rejected ? — Yes, and he might be made a 

 junior officer before he appears for the examination, and perhaps 

 be in charge of the ship in fine weather. The authorities are 

 very careful with regard to colour-vision, and reject a good 

 many. I examine 40 to 60 of the " Conway " lads in a year. 



Question — With regard to the "Indefatigable," supposing a 

 boy was found to be colour-blind, would the authorities of the 

 ship dismiss him ? — -No ; he would be quite free to complete his 

 education. 



Question — Are you quite satisfied with the tests you use ? — 1 

 believe they answer the purpose, though they will not tell whether 

 a man is colour-blind or colour- ignorant. I think there is a very 

 bad chance, practically, of a man passing the test who is colour- 

 blind. 



