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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    of Rock was taken out of the bottom of the ship. Admiral Otway, at the “ time, sent me her Log, from which I worked her course, and layed off, what <c I supposed her track, on two of my Charts, in pencil; which lines are still “ there, and so very near the Shoal you appear to have discovered, that I think “ it more than probable, the L’Amiable struck on the identical Rocks, which ic you have mentioned, afTd which do not appear in any Chart. “ I cannot refrain from saying, I think you ought not to lose any time in acquainting the Admiralty with this new Nearstone, that they may take such steps as they may judge proper. “Adamant, “ MAT. BUCKLE.” “ Leith, March 9, 1813. <( a The Bell, proposed byCapt. Manby to be fixed on the Brown’sman, cannot, in the opinion of the Brethren, be of any utility.” Report of the Brethren of the Trinity House of London. (( The Committee approve of Capt. Manby’s recommendation of a Bell on the outermost ii of the Staple Islands, to be used in foggy weather “ and think, it might be the means “ of saving ships from driving on the islands.” Report of the Brethren of the Trinity House of Kingston-upon-Hull. U <c We think a large Bell, placed in the situation recommended by Capt. Manby, and worked in the manner he describes, or by some other mechanical device, which will, not require fuel, would be of service in foggy weather.” Report of the Brethren of the Trinity House of Newcastle. The opinions of the Brethren of the Trinity House of London, and the Brethren of the other Houses, are, on this point, in direct opposition. They cannot both be right. Where there is certainty of error in one instance, there is possibility of error in more. The idea of infallibility on subjects, even most within their experience, is disturbed, and the opinions of the Brethren are no longer to be deemed decisive, without examination, and argument against them hopeless. 1 shall oidy add to this remark, the expression of my most anxious hope, that I have given no offence to the Brethren by my observations on the navigation amongst the Fern Islands and Cocquet Island ; which I was led to make without any design of encroaching on their peculiar province; and have published with equal innocence, of the most oblique reproach of negligence. The Brethren, of the Trinity House at Kingston-upon-Hull give their approbation to my plan of rescue from shipwreck, on conditions, so easy of performance, that my most eager wishes, springing from the conviction of it’s utility, had not anticipated a more favourable sentence. The objections of the Brethren of the Trinity House at Newcastle are not substantially different from those of the Brethren of London. The former, therefore, can only be of force, if I should be supposed not to have answered the latter; Yet I should be gladto gain attention to a few remarks on the difference of the mode which the Brethren of Newcastle have chosen to convey their objections.— “ We should be sorry to advance any thing, to discourage or undervalue the exertions <c and endeavours of a meritorious individual in his designs to benefit the public in a matter “ of such vast importance; but, though we justly acknowledge and applaud the 'ingenuity, “ and merit of applying an engine of destruction to the most important, and humane purpose “ proposed, and really confess, that it’s application will he almost infallible in some cases; yet, conceiving it to be our business to examine the premises in an extended, and general “ view ; that is, as a practical system, which may be rendered generally or widely efficient “ for the end proposed, we cannot, at present, perceive much benefit is to be expected 11 from it.” Report of the Brethren of the^frinity House at Newcastle. The Brethren of Newcastle in this sentence have accidently used a figure of rhetoric, of which an example has been given, and commented on with great force by .a deep judge of human nature:— --Incolumis lojtor quod vivifcin urbe; Sed, tamen, admiror, quo pacto judicium illud FugdSlP- It’s influence on those who are not aware of the arts of language is irresistible. The criminal must be atrocious in the extreme, on whom the most mild and merciful judge, inflicts the utmost severity of punishment. A useless incumbrance indeed must the appa¬ ratus be, to extort from persons, so anxious to favour me individually, so averse to discou¬ rage, any project, that may incidentally produce the slightest public benefit, a sentence of condemnation. <c But,