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reflect without heaving a sigh of com- | faction in reflecting on the success that miseration.

To prevent shipwrecks is not in the power of mortals; but if, through the Divine assistance, any means can be devised to lessen their calamities, by averting those consequences which must otherwise inevitably follow, the man, who, by his inventive powers, shall provide these means, may be justly considered as a public benefactor to mankind. In agriculture, architecture, mining, and manufactures, various machines have been invented to lessen manual labour: but in the same proportion as "life is dearer than the golden ore," that man who can rescue it from impending destruction, and soften its rigours when preserved, is fairly entitled to the gratitude of the human race.

Under these circumstances, every idea that presents even a feeble promise of some future invention, should be carefully cherished; while every invention of plausible utility, should be examined with the utmost attention that candour and justice can unite to exercise; especially when the lives of thousands are involved in the issue, and depend upon the result of the examination.

We have been led into these reflections by the perusal of a pamphlet which has accidentally fallen into our hands, written by a Mr. Henry Trengrouse, of Helston, in the county of Cornwall.

In this pamphlet, which is rendered mournfully interesting by the various accounts given of vessels wrecked, and multitudes of lives lost, because no means had been devised for getting the unhappy sufferers on shore, Mr. Trengrouse has exhibited to public notice an apparatus which he has invented, which promises to be of much importance, under such disastrous circumstances, to all who navigate the deep.

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has at last attended my labours, in devising the means to open the communication; my methods being such as induce me to believe, they are not to be equalled by any other which is not on the same principle. I have not tried how far I can project a line, but I have no doubt of being able to do it with all necessary precision upwards of half a mile. With the other parts of the apparatus I am also fully satisfied. With their simplicity and portability are combined accommodation and security, and the whole may be used with all possible expedition."

Mr. Trengrouse, it seems, was led into a train of reflections which have terminated in this happy result, by the loss of the Anson frigate, which was wrecked near the Loe Bar, not far from Helston, the place of his residence; in which ship about a hundred individuals, including the commander, perished. His first attempt was simply to fasten the end of a line to a piece of lead, and then to throw it on shore; but this he soon found could only be serviceable when the vessel lay contiguous to the land. His second scheme was, that of hoisting a kite, and permitting it to hang over the land, and then causing it to fall where the people on the beach or rocks might seize it, and draw a line on shore. In this, he at first placed much confidence; but after some time he saw reason to abandon it, as being too uncertain to justify dependence. His third method was that of a ROCKET, which, he says, has answered his most sanguine expectation. A line being thus thrown on shore by means of the rocket, and drawn by the people on the land, can soon bring from the wreck a rope, which, being made fast and drawn as tensely as possible, will enable those on board to put his LIFE PRESERVER into immediate use.

To afford assistance on such melan- "A model of the Preserver," he choly occasions, the first thing to be observes, " and a written description effected, says Mr. Trengrouse, is, to of it, I shewed to a gentleman in this open a communication with the shore, neighbourhood, who, consulting with by means of a rope; and to accomplish a friend of his that had formerly bethis with promptitude and precision, is longed to the Admiralty, was led with of the utmost importance. "To ren- his friend to conclude, that the invender any contrivance for the saving of tion was entitled to consideration. The lives, in case of a wreck, extensively former gentleman then caused it to be or generally useful, both reason and transmitted to Government, after which experience," he says, "have convinced I heard no more about it. Probably, me that the apparatus must be kept the bustle created by the war, in the on board. I therefore feel great satis-naval department, and my not having

made a single experiment with any | fectly secure for the infirm, the sick, or wounded, and also for women and children. It is so portable, that a child of three years of age may carry it under his arm.

part of the apparatus, to ascertain its practicability, as a recommendation for its adoption, might have been two reasons why it was not attended to. "Several months had now elapsed, without my hearing any thing about it, or making any experiments. But my feelings were as much alive as ever to the object I had in view; and although I did not succeed in my first efforts, I proceeded under the unaltered conviction that the principle was good, and that if the apparatus should become a portable part of the ship's equipment, in case of a wreck many lives might be preserved. To ascertain the most effectual means for accomplishing this desirable object, I tried many experiments, but though in some cases the use of a musket might answer every purpose, I finally gave the preference to the rocket. With these, after making numerous attempts, I have so far succeeded, as to believe, that there is not another man in the United Kingdom who can project a line to an equal distance, and with equal precision and promptitude, with any description of apparatus equal in portability, which is not on the same principle.

"The line which I project is adequate to draw a rope on shore sufficiently large to be used as a haulingrope to draw persons through the water, or above the water on a hawser. If through the water, then, a FLOAT is to be affixed on the rope, which may be done in a minute, and wrapped round the body of the person to be floated to land; when, committing himself to the water, he will be instantly drawn to the shore. On being thus saved, the FLOAT must again be hauled to the wreck, for the next person; and thus continue to pass and repass until all are secured.

"With these parts of the apparatus, I made my first experiments at Porthleaven in 1816. This was the first time that the Float was ever in the water, and that the Chaise Rolante was ever suspended to a rope. A great number of spectators was present; among whom were several respectable gentlemen; to whom general satisfaction was given."-Of this experiment the following account was afterwards published by a Mr. Russell, who was a spectator of what he has related.—

On Friday last, Mr. Trengrouse publicly exhibited the use of his apparatus at Porthleaven. From the western shore he threw several lines across the harbour, which went over the pier to some distance on the outer side. The length of line projected was about 200 yards. He has so perfected this part of his plan, as certainly to render it superior to every other method. A FLOAT, made of cork, was applied to the body of a man with his clothes on, who volunteered his services, though the wind blew hard. He was soon hauled across the harbour in a buoyant state. The advantages of this float must be obvious to any one, who has ever witnessed the manner in which shipwrecked mariners are dragged through the foaming surf, from their perishing vessel, to the shore. They are almost killed, that their lives may be saved. The same man who had thus been drawn across the harbour in the float, soon made a signal to return by the same route. cordingly took his seat in the CHAISE ROLANTE, suspended to a large rope, which had been drawn across the harbour. In this he was conveyed over, and back again, in little more than two minutes."

He ac

"But if the stranded vessel should not go immediately to pieces, a hawser may be carried from the wreck and made fast on shore. This being drawn Having thus given the progressive tight, all on board may be landed com- history of this invention, as stated by fortably and quickly, by means of a Mr. Trengrouse; and noticed his first CHAISE ROLANTE, suspended on wheels experiment, as published by a spectathat are curiously contrived to run tor; we now proceed to mention the upon the hawser. They are so con- opinions of several distinguished chastructed, that they may be worked with racters, before whom various experithe utmost rapidity, without producing ments were afterwards made. These any observable friction. The Chaise gentlemen, being conversant with subRolante is a safe, easy, and comfort-jects of this kind, cannot be supposed able conveyance: it affords the accom- incompetent to judge of the real merits modation of an arm-chair, and is per- of this invention. Their testimony of

approbation is therefore, to the inventor, of considerable importance, as it strongly recommends his apparatus to the patronage and support of every seaman, and every seaman's friend.

"Important Official Testimony. "Lieutenant-General Ramsey; Major-General Borthwick; Colonels Sir H. Framingham, Millar, Sir W. Robe, and Salmon; Lieutenant-Colonels Harris, Pritchard, Beevor, Griffiths, and Fyers; Majors Fraser and Payne.

"Woolwich, 2d March, 1818.

"On receiving the foregoing report, (says Mr. T.) I was officially made acquainted, that a further Committee of Naval and Artillery Officers was about to be convened at Woolwich, for more particularly investigating my invention, and to witness a new experiment. Sir Wm. Congreve was not present at the former, and as he is so conversant with the nature of rockets, probably this second experiment might have been chiefly for him to have an opportunity of judging on the utility of my "Sir, plan. While making my experiment, "In reference to your communica- the wind was blowing a gale; and I tions, dated on the 6th and 25th ulti-projected two lines, by the use of only mo, I have the honour to acquaint you for the Honourable Board's information, that the Committee of Colonels and Field Officers above-named, in conjunction with Rear- Admiral Sir "A deep-sea line was also projected Charles Rowley, and Captains Gower by one of my larger rockets, (as No. 3, and Ross, of the Royal Navy, as- first report,) 107 yards; which was a sembled on the 28th ultimo, for the highly satisfactory experiment to all purpose of inspecting an apparatus, the spectators, and far exceeded my invented by Mr. Trengrouse, for pre-own most sanguine expectations, as I serving lives and property in cases of shipwreck, by means of a rocket; when Mr. Trengrouse exhibited his apparatus, and made the following experiment.

1st, A small rocket of 8 oz., with a line attached to its stick, was fired from a musket, to the distance of 180 yards.

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2nd, A pound rocket was fired in the same manner, which ranged 450 yards; the line broke at 150 yards, owing to a knot in it.

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3rd, A pound rocket was fired from a wooden frame at an elevation of 50°, and ranged 212 yards.

"The line used with the above three rounds was a mackarel line.

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4th, A 4-oz. rocket was then fired from the musket to the distance of 112 yards, with a line called a mackarel snood.

"I have the honour to report, that the Committee are of opinion, that Mr. Trengrouse's appears to them to be the best mode of gaining a communication with the shore, for the purpose of saving lives from shipwreck, that has been suggested; as well as to communicate between ships in heavy gales of wind; and that the experiment they have witnessed has fully succeeded.

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8-oz. rockets, to the distance of 215 yards; exceeding my former experiment (with the same-sized rocket,) by 30 or 40 yards.

never before attempted an experiment with a line near so large, it being sufficiently strong to haul six men through the water at a time."

"Mr. Trengrouse afterwards produced his apparatus for conveying persons on shore, after gaining a communication with a rope. It consists of a hawser, roller, and hook, which can be fixed on after the rope is made fast, by means of a thumb-screw detaching one half of the shank, so that the traveller may be placed on the upper part of the rope; thereby obviating the inconvenience and danger of reeving the rope through the traveller.

"An experiment being made with a three-inch rope, stretched between two trees, it was found to answer the intended purpose.*

"Lieut.-General Ramsey; Colonels Sir H. Framingham, Harris, and Fisher; Lieut.-Colonels Pritchard, Beevor, Griffiths, Bingham, Phillott, and Fyers; Majors Fraser, Payne, and Forster.

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In conjunction with Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Rowley, Captains Gower and Ross, of the Royal Navy, and Sir William Congreve, Comptroller of the Royal Laboratory.

*

(Signed) "JOHN RAMSEY."

In making the experiment with the traveller, Col. Phillott and two others were severally conveyed from one tree to the other, in the Chaise Rolante.

Certificate from Falmouth, 4th Dec. | Trengrouse's invention for saving sea

1817.

"We, the undersigned, do certify, that we have at several times witnessed experiments made by Mr. Trengrouse, of Helston, with the apparatus invented by him for the preservation of shipwrecked seamen; from the results of which, we are satisfied, such apparatus, if generally adopted, might be made productive of great public benefit; and might be particularly useful in the merchant-service.

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Pellew, Collector Customs.
C. Severland, Agent to H. M. Pac-
kets.

W. Broad, Agent to Lloyd's.
Richard Pellowe, Capt. R. N.
George Bell, Capt. R. N.
John Manderson, Capt. R. N.
John Bullock, Capt. H. M. Packet,
Walsingham.

W. Tomson, late of the India service.
Robert W. Fox, jun.
James Edgcombe, jun. Collector of
Customs, Penryn.
Michael Williams.
Robert Williams.

Henry Williams, and sundry others."

Ship-Owners' Society, July 14, 1818.

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Sir, I have received your letter of the 8th of May, and the several papers since placed in my hands, on the subject of your invention for preserving lives and property in cases of shipwreck, and having laid the same before the Committee of this Society, they have considered them with great attention, as also the apparatus sent for their inspection; and I have the pleasure to make known to you, that the Committee do highly approve of your invention, as possessing all the merit which is ascribed to it by the respectable Gentlemen of Falmouth, in their certificate, and alike creditable to your ingenuity and humanity; and the Committee will avail themselves of every opportunity of recommending the adoption of it on board of merchant vessels.—I am, Sir, your respectful and obedient servant,

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(Signed) "S. Cock, Secretary." "Mr. Henry Trengrouse."

men from shipwrecked vessels being
read, the Committee took into consi-
deration the utility of the apparatus,
and believe it to afford a very probable
means of saving lives from vessels
driven on shore or stranded, in situa-
tions, where, being within reach of
communication with the shore, its
adoption would be practicable on board
the unfortunate vessel that may be
wrecked; and from the material of
communication being carried within
the vessel itself, they think it highly
preferable to any other mode yet pro-
posed, as it thus must be always at
hand, ready to be applied the moment
when wanted; and the projected instru-
ment would be easily and certainly
discoverable, even at night, by per-
sons on shore, so as to establish the
wished-for communication of an haw-

ser; and the cost of the whole being
but trivial, the Brethren do therefore
recommend, that all vessels be furnish-
ed and provided with the apparatus
of the rocket, and other articles exhi-
bited.
"Js. COURT."

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(Signed)

Trinity House, London, 3d Sept., 1818." Insignificant as this invention may must be drawn from sources which its appear, our estimate of its importance simplicity does not supply. It is not easy to ascertain the number of lives annually lost through shipwreck; but it is well known to amount to several thousands. Dr. Wilkinson, about the year 1763, taking the average of six years, calculated that 4200 British seamen were lost annually. He states, that in 27 days only, in the month of December of that year, 1430 were

drowned.

stated, that in the years 1781 and Another gentleman has 1782, the numbers lost were upwards of 10,000. Another author has very recently stated, that during the period of his present Majesty's reign, 160,000 persons have thus perished.

These melancholy facts give a sanction to every trial that may be made to alleviate this sum of human suffering, and to diminish this source of domestic misery. And even though inventions and discoveries should prove successful only in a partial manner, the inventors must be ranked among the friends of the human race. Mr. Henry Trengrouse, we understand, is by The several letters, certificates, trade either a cabinet-maker or a reports, and observations, on Mr.joiner; and in circumstances not en

Report of the Committee of the Elder Brethren, to whom was referred the invention of Mr. H. Trengrouse, for saving seamen from shipwrecked vessels.

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Far across the swelling tide

Faintly peer'd the distant sail; Glow'd the west in crimson pride, Softly breath'd the ev'ning gale. On the beach as Myra stood,

From the noisy town remote, Gazing o'er the azure flood,

Soon her eye the vessel caught. Now, within her anxious breast, Hope's expiring flames revive: "Shall I yet," she cried, "be bless'd? Is my Henry still alive?

Does yon bark, whose ample sails Wide expanded court the breeze, Wafted by the southern gale,

Bear my love from Indian seas? "Two long tedious years are gone Since he left Britannia's shore; Left me, hopeless and alone,

Java's distant isle t' explore. "Oft I've sought the sounding beach; Often o'er the boundless main,

Far as human sight could reach,

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Fancy, mimic nymph, pourtrays Scenes of shipwreck and despair : Awful conflagrations blaze

Shrieks of terror rend the air! "Oft, upon some desert coast Fatal to her toil-worn crew, By the furious tempest tost,

Henry's bark I seem to view: "Howls the blast, the ocean raves,

Deep and loud the thunders roar; Broken by the boist❜rous waves, Fragments strew the rock-bound shore." While she thus express'd her pain, Brisker blew the fav'ring breeze; Gliding o'er the lucid main,

Now the well-known ship she sees. "Gracious heaven!" entranc'd, she cries, ""Tis my Henry's bark appears! See, the promis'd signals rise!

Hark! the gun salutes my ears!"
Glad, her tender babe she press'd,
Smiling in her arms that lay:
O'er the beach she flies in haste,
To the port directs her way.
Soon, to greet her spouse, she steers
Lightly o'er the buoyant tide;
On her glowing bosom bears

Henry's heir, her infant pride.
Scarce the barge had left the shore

Ere the winds, with hurried sweep, Bade the rising billows roar,

Wake to storms the passive deep. Sudden glooms involve the skies, Clouds on clouds tumultuous roll, High the foaming surges rise,

Loud the distant thunders howl! Hard the boatmen ply the oar,

Urging o'er the heaving main; Soon recedes the less'ning shore,

Soon the destin'd bark they gain. Who can paint the rapt'rous glow,

Who conceive the fond delight, Myra felt, when, on the prow,

Henry first appear'd in sight? Gazing on the approaching barge, Soon as Myra caught his view, Fondling o'er her infant charge, Swift along the deck he flew : Eager o'er the lofty side,

Fearless of the storm, he pass'd; Dreadful roll'd the foaming tide,

Loudly roar'd the ruthless blast. Prompt his tender spouse to aid,

Stretching forth his willing hand; Fierce the rising waves invade,

Hurl him from the fatal stand. Consternation seiz'd the fair; Breathless at the sight she falls: Terror strikes, and mute despair Ev'ry feeling heart appals.

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