Observations in reply to the opinions of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity Houses of London, Newcastle, and Kingston-upon-Hull, contained in their several reports of the 8th February, 5th March, and 9th April, 1813 ... on the plan submitted to ascertain 'the real merits and benefits of a general establishment for the preservation from shipwreck' / [George William Manby].

  • Manby, George William, 1765-1854
Date:
[1814]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations in reply to the opinions of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity Houses of London, Newcastle, and Kingston-upon-Hull, contained in their several reports of the 8th February, 5th March, and 9th April, 1813 ... on the plan submitted to ascertain 'the real merits and benefits of a general establishment for the preservation from shipwreck' / [George William Manby]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    But, when I consider by whom this style is used, and to whom it is addressed I am convinced, that there is neither intention nor effect; and I should not have taken any notice of it, if I had not determined to pass no part of these Reports without observation. The next remark of the Brethren of Newcastle is, “ that were shipwrecks always or “ frequently to occur on certain known spots, where mortars with their complete uppa- “ ratus, as described by Capt. Manby, might be stationed, and kept in good order; and a x‘ few persons skilled and practised in their use, ready at or near the scene of distress • “ and the distance of the wreck within reach of the she'll to be discharged from the mortar • “ the certainty of the benefit would be evident: for it is obvious, that, by means of a rope’ “ attached to a shell, and so conveyed to the vessel on shore, the lives”of the crew m v “ be saved, when other means are impracticable.” 3 That shipwrecks do not always occur on certain spots must be conceded to the Brethren The power that could so confine them, could altogether prevent them: but, that the Bre¬ thren should think the frequency of shipwreck in particular spots hypothetical, must I think, fill every one with the same surprise, that, on reading it, affects me. I thoueht that every maritime person knew, that there were certain points of the coast infamous beyond any others, from the great frequency of shipwrecks.—Such, (1 sav it with little dear of contradiction, and none of recitation,) for example, are Flamboro’^ Redcar, and ■Cortham, in Yorkshire; Yarmouth,Winterton, Happisburgb, Mundesley, and Blakeney, fin Norfolk ;—and each of these places admits.shipwreck under the aggravating circum¬ stances of the shore and safety within a few yards, and yet, ’till the introduction of this apparatus, so hopelessly distant. If shipwreck were frequent at given -points, that admitted them within certain distances •of the shore, the-Brethren of Newcastle allow, that the process of the apparatus would be infallible. Shipwrecks are frequent at such points, and thus they have bound themselves against-their own assertion of almost total inutility, to subscribe to it’s very extensive utility at least. ££ But when we contemplate an extent of many leagues of coast, not one spot or pecu- ££ liar part of which is exempt from becoming the scite.of shipwreck and their concomitant ££ disasters, and considering that, in such melancholy events, the utmost expedition and <£ readiness are generally essential or indispensable; the difficulty, inconvenience, and ££ delay of removing, and transporting a mortar, &c. along a coast, where, probably, no ££ road exists ; and that, when it is brought to the point intended, the operation of using ££ it to advantage will be very uncertain, if not wholly ineffective, from the unskilfulness ££ and ignorance of the only inhabitants in the neighbourhood, viz. fishermen and peasants, ££ totally unacquainted with the management of such instruments; and farther, that the ££ mortars, and their necessary accompanying materials will, in many instances, be for ££ years deposited, in a state of neglect and decay ; and, consequently, when required upon ££ any sudden and pressing emergency, be found in a condition tnfit for service. £t Duly weighing all these unfavourable circumstances, without noticing the consider- £c able expence, which the execution of Capt. Manby’s plan, to render it really efficient, ££ would demand ; we apprehend, no national or public establishment can be formed, with ££ any prospect of advantage, relative to his plan of stationing mortars at particular places “along a great extent of coast, for the purposes proposed in his Report.” In answer to this mass of objections, I observe, that, if, indeed, every league of coast, through the whole circumference of Great Britain, required the apparatus, the establish¬ ment w'ould draw after it a consideration of expence, which might induce even the most eager humanity-to pause. But, though the whole coast, in every league, is unexempted from liability to shipwreck, under general circumstances ; yet, I conclude, from my actual survey of many counties, and an analagous calculation regarding the rest, that not more than two hundred parts of the coast are so disposed, as to admit of shipwreck under the particular.and.more fatal circumstances, in which the apparatus is the only mode of preser¬ vation. With this distinction, the expence shrinks into an amount, which even the least humane would not weigh against the policy, and benevolence of the design. To the next objection, ££ the difficulty, inconvenience, and delay of removalI have to oppose the Report of a Committee of Colonels and other Field-Officers of Artillery at Wool¬ wich, by which it appears, that the whole of a smaller apparatus, was carried by a man on horseback a mile and a third of a mile, dismounted, and the ball, carrying out one hundred and fifty-three yards of line, fired from the mortar in six minutes§. The larger apparatus may be carried, with ease, by two men in a hand barrow, and, consequently, the smallest boat will convey it over any interposing creek or harbour. I declare, that I know no part of our coast, along which such a weight by such modes of transport is not to be moved. I admire the facility', and apparent sincerity, with which the Brethren assume, the absence of due care and superintendance,—nay, the total abandonment of the apparatus to decay, the moment that it is established; and the utter want of instruction, or impossibility of § Printed Lecture, pp. 19, 20. remov-