1802.] 
it is evidently fufceptible; and I am 
The Life-Boat. 
547 
and lefs liable to accident from fhips driv. 
clearly of opinion that a ftone bridge of ing again{t it, than an iron bridge can 
600 feet {pan might be conftruéted. over 
the Thames at London, and I believe I 
need not point out to your readers that it 
would be more beautiful, more durable, 
poflibly be. 
JoseruH Woops, Jun, 
No. 8, George Yard, Lombard-fircet. 
May 22, 1802. was 
aa 
For the Monthly, Magaziye. 
‘ THE LIFE-BOAT. 
IR, if the inhabitants of the Tyne, ac- 
cording to Falconer, were ever capable 
ef ‘* fhutting the gates of mercy on man- 
kind,” they may, at leaft, be allowed to 
have expiated thefe crimes of their an- 
ceftors, by having fet the example of a 
mot ufeful inftitution for the prefervation 
of fhipwrecked mariners. This, it: may 
be fuppofed, alludes to the invention of 
the Life-Boat, as it is called, which has 
of late attrafted fo much of the public 
attention, that a brief account of it may 
not be unacceptable to your readers.. 
The entrance of the river Tyne is ren- 
dered:difficult, and frequently dangerous 
of acceis, by the bar at its mouth; this 
is greatly increaled by a fand of confidera- 
ble extent, which lies on the fouth fide of 
the entrance, and is called the Herd, or 
hard fand. Upon this dangerous fand 
many veflels with their crews have been 
loft, without a poffibility of receiving any 
affiftance fromethe fhore, owing to the 
tremendous breakers which cover the Herd 
. MonTuily Mac. No. 88, 
, 
in ftormy weather. In the year1728 9, 
fuch a fcene of diftrefs was exhibited as 
will not foon be effaced from the memory 
of thofe-who were reduced to the neceffity 
of being mere {pectators. A vefiel of con- 
fiderable fize, and only four years old, was in 
the fpace of one tide fo completely demo- 
lifhed, that of the remaining wreck it was 
dificult to diftinguith the head from the 
ftern. The chief part of the crew wasdrown- 
ed in the prefence of many hundred fpe&ta- 
tors, who could aft them-only with their 
wifhes, and the few that efcaped were taken 
from a part of the wreck which fortunately 
remained fleady until low water. 
Tits melancholy event rouled the feel- 
ings of a number of Gentlemen, owners 
of veffels, who: occafionaily. afflembled for 
the purpofe of reading the new{papers, and 
feeing their veflels come in and go ovig.of 
harbour, at an inn built.upon the fea 
banks, called the Lew Heufe. A fub- 
{cription was immediately opened, and a 
committee. were appointed to confider of 
4.B ; the 
