DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1311#0154
126 THE GREAT EXHIBITION
and, iii wreck, to carry provisions for 100 persons seven days. The Patent Collapsible
Life-boat was exhibited by the Rev. E. L. Berthon, and was stated to enable passenger
vessels to take to sea enough boats for any emergency, without crowding the decks:
they are always ready for use, "trapped to under the davits;" and, on casting off the
gasketts, the boat flies open, and takes into fore and aft cells a large supply of air.
The Northumberland Prize Life-boat.—It will be recollected^ that in October, 1850, in
consequence of the accidents that had happened to life-boats around the coasts of Great-
Britain, and more especially the lamentable case off Shields, in December, 1849, when,
by the upsetting of the life-boat, twenty of the best pilots out of the Tyne were drowned,
his grace the Duke of Northumberland offered a reward of 100 guineas for the best model
of a life-boat; the result being that 280 models and plans were sent to Somerset-house for
competition. After a laborious examination of the several models, the six boats that stood
first on the list were, for the third time, placed side by side, their several points again
examined, and the models carefully compared with each other; the result was a confir-
mation of the former numbers, and to Mr. James Beeching, boat-builder, of Great
Yarmouth, was adjudged the premium for the best model. The report of the committee
appointed to examine the models is a very important and. interesting document; and,
besides recapitulating the peculiar features of several of them, details the requisite
qualities of a life-boat; the accidents to life-boats; the number of shipwrecks on the coasts
of the United Kingdom; the life-boat, rocket, and mortar stations; the meritorious
conduct of the coast-guard service; and suggestions for decreasing the number of
wrecks, &c. The form given to this boat would make her efficient either for pulling
or sailing in all weathers; she would prove a good sea boat, and in places such as
Yarmouth, where there are always plenty of hands to launch a boat, her weight would
cause no difficulty. By means of the raised air-cases placed at the extremes, the absence
of side air-eases for a length of ten feet amid-ships, the introduction of two-and-a-quarter
tons of water-ballast into her bottom when afloat, and her iron keel, this boat would
right herself in the event of being capsized; although, from the form given to her,
it is highly improbable that such an accident should occur. One day in November last
this prize boat made a trial trip out to the Goodwin Sands, and proved herself of the
most extraordinary qualities as a sea boat. Captain Charlwood, the inspecting commander
of the district of the coast-guard, with Lieutenant Simmons and Mr. M'Donald, the
master of the Rose revenue cutter, and a crew of fourteen picked men, went out in her
to the Goodwin, where she was placed in such positions as to allow the surf to have the
greatest effect upon her. Nothing could exceed the admirable style in which she
behaved; and enough was seen to satisfy the officers and men who were in her that she
would weather the most tempestuous sea. Her sailing qualities were also tested with the
most successful results; indeed, it is said that if it were possible to throw her on her beam
ends she would not go over. Such was her buoyancy, that when filled with water she
cleared herself to the grating in about twelve seconds. The success of the boat has been
the source of much gratification along the coast.
Life-Preserving Contrivances.—A variety of buoyant articles of clothing were exhibited :
they might be worn as every-day clothes; and included "yachting jackets" and ladies:
paletots, described as capable of supporting the wearer in the water. Many other
means of support in the water were shown; such as belts, to be inflated by the breath,
and lumps of cork, threaded like beads, to be put round the body. Waterproof trunks,
made so as to serve as supporting media in the case of shipwreck, were exhibited, with
models illustrating their easy adaptation to the purposes of rafts. Air-tight mattresses
were shown, suitable for hammocks and berths, and. which, of course, are exceedingly
buoyant; together with " floating buoyant settees," (with air-tight gutta-percha cases.,
and, iii wreck, to carry provisions for 100 persons seven days. The Patent Collapsible
Life-boat was exhibited by the Rev. E. L. Berthon, and was stated to enable passenger
vessels to take to sea enough boats for any emergency, without crowding the decks:
they are always ready for use, "trapped to under the davits;" and, on casting off the
gasketts, the boat flies open, and takes into fore and aft cells a large supply of air.
The Northumberland Prize Life-boat.—It will be recollected^ that in October, 1850, in
consequence of the accidents that had happened to life-boats around the coasts of Great-
Britain, and more especially the lamentable case off Shields, in December, 1849, when,
by the upsetting of the life-boat, twenty of the best pilots out of the Tyne were drowned,
his grace the Duke of Northumberland offered a reward of 100 guineas for the best model
of a life-boat; the result being that 280 models and plans were sent to Somerset-house for
competition. After a laborious examination of the several models, the six boats that stood
first on the list were, for the third time, placed side by side, their several points again
examined, and the models carefully compared with each other; the result was a confir-
mation of the former numbers, and to Mr. James Beeching, boat-builder, of Great
Yarmouth, was adjudged the premium for the best model. The report of the committee
appointed to examine the models is a very important and. interesting document; and,
besides recapitulating the peculiar features of several of them, details the requisite
qualities of a life-boat; the accidents to life-boats; the number of shipwrecks on the coasts
of the United Kingdom; the life-boat, rocket, and mortar stations; the meritorious
conduct of the coast-guard service; and suggestions for decreasing the number of
wrecks, &c. The form given to this boat would make her efficient either for pulling
or sailing in all weathers; she would prove a good sea boat, and in places such as
Yarmouth, where there are always plenty of hands to launch a boat, her weight would
cause no difficulty. By means of the raised air-cases placed at the extremes, the absence
of side air-eases for a length of ten feet amid-ships, the introduction of two-and-a-quarter
tons of water-ballast into her bottom when afloat, and her iron keel, this boat would
right herself in the event of being capsized; although, from the form given to her,
it is highly improbable that such an accident should occur. One day in November last
this prize boat made a trial trip out to the Goodwin Sands, and proved herself of the
most extraordinary qualities as a sea boat. Captain Charlwood, the inspecting commander
of the district of the coast-guard, with Lieutenant Simmons and Mr. M'Donald, the
master of the Rose revenue cutter, and a crew of fourteen picked men, went out in her
to the Goodwin, where she was placed in such positions as to allow the surf to have the
greatest effect upon her. Nothing could exceed the admirable style in which she
behaved; and enough was seen to satisfy the officers and men who were in her that she
would weather the most tempestuous sea. Her sailing qualities were also tested with the
most successful results; indeed, it is said that if it were possible to throw her on her beam
ends she would not go over. Such was her buoyancy, that when filled with water she
cleared herself to the grating in about twelve seconds. The success of the boat has been
the source of much gratification along the coast.
Life-Preserving Contrivances.—A variety of buoyant articles of clothing were exhibited :
they might be worn as every-day clothes; and included "yachting jackets" and ladies:
paletots, described as capable of supporting the wearer in the water. Many other
means of support in the water were shown; such as belts, to be inflated by the breath,
and lumps of cork, threaded like beads, to be put round the body. Waterproof trunks,
made so as to serve as supporting media in the case of shipwreck, were exhibited, with
models illustrating their easy adaptation to the purposes of rafts. Air-tight mattresses
were shown, suitable for hammocks and berths, and. which, of course, are exceedingly
buoyant; together with " floating buoyant settees," (with air-tight gutta-percha cases.,