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Ordinary Meeting, March 7th, 1865. 
R. Angus Smith, Ph.D., E.R.S., &c., President, in 
the Chair. 
The following paper “ On the Action of Sea water upon 
certain Metals and Alloys,” was read by F. Grace Calvert, 
Ph.D., F.R.S., F.C.S., &c., and R. Johnson, F.C.S. 
We were induced to examine the action exerted by sea 
water, in consequence of the rapid changes which have 
taken place of late years in naval architecture, and especially 
in the substitution of metals and alloys for wood. 
To carry out the above views, we took 20 square centimetres 
of each metal, which we cleaned with great care and attention, 
in order that the action of the sea water might have its full 
effect ; then two plates of each metal were placed in 
separate glass vessels, and immersed in equal volumes 
of sea water. After one month the plates were taken 
out, and any compounds that had adhered to the surface 
carefully removed; the plates were then dried and re- 
weighed, and the loss estimated. To render our results of 
more practical value, we have calculated the action of 100 
litres of sea water upon one square metre of each metal, 
and the following are the amounts of metals dissolved 
Grammes. 
Steel 29T6 
Iron 27*37 
Copper (best selected) 12*96 
Proceedings Lit. & Phil. Society— Yol. IY. — No. 12.— Session 1864-5. 
