3 36 
REPORT—1854. 
also of seeking opportunities during the coming winter of testing her capa¬ 
bilities in the great work of saving life, where no other kind of boat can 
accomplish this object. 
I may mention, that these gentlemen fully intended to have been present 
at the Liverpool meeting of the British Association, and up to Saturday, 
Sept 23,1 quite expected their arrival in the Mersey with their schooner (the 
Hirnant) and the Tubular. But they have been detained at Southampton 
by contrary winds; and Mr. Richardson, Jun., has also met with a serious 
accident to his hand, which has prevented him from bringing the Tubular by 
rail, as he would otherwise have done. I regret very much that they are not 
here to show what she can do. 
A very ingenious life-boat has also been built by Mr. Andrew Henderson, 
which is now to be seen in the dock, the model of which is at present in 
St. George's 1 fall. Other boats have also been contrived. One, in particular, 
of India rubber, by Mr. Parrott, somewhat approaching Mr. Richardsons 
plan, has attracted much attention. I believe that this boat would be defi¬ 
cient in the stability necessary to do good service on a lec-shore, but this 
is a matter to be tried. It is most desirable that extensive and well-directed 
experiments should be made, to ascertain the best kind of life-boats, not only 
for ships, but also for encountering the dangers of a lee-shore. 
The British Association aims especially at the advancement of truth in 
practical no less than in physical science; in all, in fact, in which we ran 
benefit each other arid improve the condition of our fellow-men; and it 
is with this conviction that I feel the subject of the discovery of the best 
life-boat to be well worthy of the attention and of the best exertions of our 
Association. 
I hope to see suitable experiments carried on by Government, to ascertain 
the best description of life-boat; and I trust, indeed I can scarcely doubt, 
that Liverpool will be ready to do its part. The Marine Surveyor of this 
port seems to think that it would be but right and proper to build one or 
more tubular boats, in order fairly to test the qualities of this kind oflife- 
boat in common with those hitherto in use. The next point will be to place 
the necessary establishments on those parts of the coasts of Great Britaiu 
and Ireland which arc at present quite unprovided with the means of saving 
life. I presume that the eoast-gua»-d would furnish many of the crews, and 
that the remainder could be provided without much difficulty, since moderate 
rewards would be sufficient inducements to our fishermen to undertake tins 
' 6 _ couiuiisnmeut of life-boats on a scientific principle. 
