ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF EFFICIENT LIFE-BOATS. 335 
another officer“ I witnessed one of the most severe trials possibly could 
have been put to any boat in the world, and she behaved admirably when 
tried alongside of H. M. ship Leander, June 5, 1852.” 
Hitherto it has been found to be impossible to capsize the tubular boat, 
because the force of theses passes off and through the two tubes; but if she 
were to be upset by auy cause, her buoyancy would be greater than before, and 
she would become a safe and manageable raft even bottom upwards, and a trial 
wilJ show that she will sail and prove an effective boat even in this position. 
Thus it appears that we may hope that a real life-boat has at length been 
constructed, but the owners of the Challenger will be the first to condemn 
her if it can be proved that she is unworthy of such consideration ; what is 
sought is competition with other boats, publicly to prove her worth or worth¬ 
lessness. And I would also observe, that steam life-boats and steam-ships 
might be constructed on the tubular plan, and these would be admirably 
calculated for entering shallow ports and lor river-navigation. 
An objection has been raised, the only one of which I am aware, that a 
boat of this construction would not be durable; but experience has proved 
that iron vessels are very lasting; and if it could be otherwise, I might ask 
what is to become of the monster vessel, of which Mr. Scott Russell lias 
given us so interesting an account? But on this point I may appeal to the 
knowledge and experience of every practical man, who will tell you, better 
than 1 can do, whether iron boats are or are not durable. And were they 
not so, there are other materials which might be substituted, provided the 
tubular principle, as already patented, should be established as the best and 
safest construction hitherto devised. 
Hut the claims of the tubular life-boat do not by any means rest upon 
speculation or opinion, however sound; for those who are disposed to examine 
this interesting question at more length, will find ample proofe of her capa¬ 
bilities in rowing, sailing, steering, &c., as detailed in * The Cruise of the 
Challenger Life-boat from Liverpool to London,’ published by Pickering; 
where it may also be seen that a chivalrous feeling in the cause of humanity 
^used the Messrs. Richardson to undergo the privations and hardships of 
experiments in the depth of winter, and a long voyage subsequently, in order 
j® tcat the good qualities of their boat by competition against any other that 
has been built, in the midst of a surf, and under the various circumstances 
required to establish the efficiency of a life-boat. 
It may be added, in conclusion, that Mr. Richardson has expressed his 
readiness to the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Ship- 
"reck, to meet any of their boats for the purpose of a trial, at any time and 
place between the Land's End and John O’Groat's house, or on the west 
coast of Ireland between Cape Clear and the Causeway* ; and thus to prove 
practically whether the Tubular is or is not the best life-boat at present in 
save Hfe, as it would undoubtedly be the cheapest construction, if the 
cuvalrous object of the inventor should lie accomplished. 
Up to this time the challenge of Mr. Richardson has not been accepted. 
, ut l ' ,e same object still at heart, of proving that their boat is admirably 
opted to save life and be eminently serviceable in the cause of humanity, 
s well as showing a great advance in the science of life-boats, the Messrs. 
™ son have lately built a schooner-yacht to take their life-boat from 
' ace to P‘ ace > with the express object of competing with any other boat, and 
wnrdl°-^‘i pr °P? 9ition a l et,er received, dated October 7, 1853, ending in these 
icsirawT. a,n <*‘ r coteiI respectfully to acquaint you that the Committee do not deem jit 
■wirauie to comply with the request.” 
(Signed) Rich. Lewis, Secretary. 
