334 
REPORT —1854. 
The boat is formed of two tubes of tinned iron, 40 feet in length by 2^ in 
diameter, tapering at either end and meeting each other, thus giving the 
appearance of sheer. An iron frame-work, securely riveted, unites the whole 
into one mass, the tubes having longitudinal bars of iron and hoops within, 
and iron keels running from end to end; they are divided into water-tight 
compartments, occupied by air-proof bugs; a cork fender surrounds the 
whole fabric. The rowers and passengers are placed on a platform above 
the frame-work, which is surrounded by a light gunwale, the height of the 
rowlocks. A rope passes along under the kelson for the purpose of towing. 
UNDER-KEEL OF UICHARDSON’S TUBULAR LIVE-BOAT. 
Sliding keels are proposed to be added, to render her more Weatherly. 
carries two lug-sails, top-sails and jib; steers, rows, and sails well. This 
boat was launched on the 15th of January, 1852, but had scarcely been 
twenty-four hours on the Cheshire shore, when she was found to be witlully 
damaged by having had holes driven into the different compartments of her 
tubes. After repair, she was submitted to the most trying experiments that 
could be devised. These were, landing her passengers and crew iii » g» |c 
on a lee-shore, and going off again; towing, in stormy weather, behind a 
steamer without any one on board, the commander of the steamer having a 
carte blanche to upset, swamp, or tear her to pieces if he could. Having 
proved in all of them perfectly successful, Mr. H. T. Richardson circulated a 
challenge to the Shipwreck and other Societies ; also to upwards of fifty m* - 
boat stations on the coast of Britain, but not a boat came out to meet Imu. 
However, Mr. Beeching having expressed his readiness to meet her at 
Ramsgate with his prize life-boat, the Tubular set sail, and after a perilous 
voyage round the Land’s End, and encountering very severe weather on her 
way, reached that place on the 22nd of' June, when they found, t° tne |r 
extreme surprise, that Mr. Beeching had disposed of his boat; and Uu 
Challenger remained, unopposed, the champion of the field. 
On her voyage round from Liverpool to Woolwich, the Tubular was, a 
Plymouth, subjected to various experiments in the presence of the fort 
Admiral, Sir John Ommanney, alongside of the Leander frigate, as the fol¬ 
lowing extracts from letters will show. 
These letters ure from officers then serving in the Leander; their name? 
are not given, as their permission has not yet been asked, though it i* he- 
heved that they would have no objection“ f think Challenger the only 
thing built, at least that I have heard of, deserving the naaie of life b° af - 
1 hat she has no capacity to retain water, that she cannot sink or cap 12 *’ 
was fully proved alongside the Leander, ’ ' " 
immersed it deeper, without in any way 
people in her. It is from having so ably 
challenge, from her capabilities iu other r 
a boat of the same dimensions as one of 
sea; and feel convinced many a valuable 
a boat belonging to her ; she would also be 
beaching troops or field-pieces, and going 
when eighty men ud one tune. o . 
affecting the safety of the boat * ir 
■ fulfilled all the conditions of V* 
■espects, that l would willingly tw 
our cutters or quarter life-bos 1 - 1 
life would be saved had a ship 
i of great service in landing in 8Ul *' 
up shallow rivers.” Again write 
