From their unsuitableness for present emergencies there cannot be but one opinion, i. e., they are not what England ought to have to attack the Emperor of Russia's strongholds. On Thursday last I had a long discussion with Sir Charles Napier, and as that gentleman's views coincide with mine as to what ought to be made, I can only again repeat that in my humble opinion it is only a waste of time and money for to go on with such craft as that now building, so far as regards demolishing the Russian forts. The plans I have furnished the Admiralty with have been inspected by some of the most scientific engineers, shipbuilders, and mariners that England possesses: one and all admit that the one as described per margin is the most novel and best form of vessel for our immediate requirements that is possible to be produced. My ideas as to what is absolutely wanted for to make floating batteries efficient are, 1st. To be shot and fire proof. 2d. To be of a light draft of water. 3d. To stand concussion from guns of large calibre. 4th. To be well ventilated. 5th. To have good accommodation for men. 6th. To have the port-holes so arranged for the guns, that when withdrawm a cover will close the aperture. 7th. The form of the vessel to be so drafted that these ideas may be conformed to, so that her sea-going qualities may be tolerably good, also steerage, as much so as practicable. In my opinion, it would be the safest plan to have small-sized batteries, and not mounting more than three guns, large calibre, to be placed one on each bow and one over the bow. To be propelled by a screw. With the aid of a scientific naval marine architect, and a working shipwright who has been at sea, no doubt exists on my mind but what totally efficient ships can be constructed for all purposes. And had Sir Maurice F. F. Berkeley's orders been attended to at Somerset House in June 1854, when that gentleman sent me to see the Surveyor of the Navy, these ideas would have been the means of destroying Cronstadt and St. Petersburgh ere this. Sir Baldwin Wake Walker said very little, but a Mr. Edye, a man with one eye, talked in such a way that left no doubt upon my mind that he was outstepping the bounds of his office, and from his impertinent manner of addressing me, and making so small of the Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty in my eyes, I thought it my duty to acquaint Sir Maurice F. F. Berkeley, which I did in a communication dated 12 June 1854, to which I now would respectfully draw your Lordship's especial notice. In my mind here is the dilemma that has caused my plans to be burked at Somerset House; and if that person's name be attached to the report, it is quite high time that Her Majesty's service should be rid of all such persons as Mr. Edye. I saw another gentleman at the same time, a fine handsome man, with black eyes and hair, a very well-informed man, who I had a talk with, and no doubt exists on my mind that if that gentleman had had the power for to enter into the real merits of my ideas, Her Majesty's Exchequer would have been benefited, and not, as it is, impoverished, from Mr. Edye's ignorance and inter ference when his officiousness was not wanted. I certainly feel much annoyed at such unmanly treatment; and the loss to England, with my ideas not having been entered into and carried out, is too palpable, and requires no comment from the subscriber. (signed) I have, &c. John Clare, Junior. Mr. John Clare, Junior, to the Right Honourable Sir Charles Wood, Bart., First Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. 21, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, 5 December 1855. My Lord, I AM obliged for your communication of yesterday's date. Seeing in the newspapers that there are difficulties in the way arising from the concussion in the riveting of the pontoons, I would respectfully call the attention of the Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty to a patent of mine for improvement in ship building, tanks, "pontoons," &c., &c., and I am of opinion a simple method may be adopted for to take the vitiation off the fastening. I am informed that it is a rule about the Admiralty to place ship builders' names on the list for that purpose. Although not a ship builder, may I request the favour of my name being inserted on the list, as I flatter myself I know more than some of the persons who are building iron and wooden craft for the Government. I have, &c. (signed) John Clare, Junior. The Secretary of the Admiralty to Mr. John Clare, Junior, 21, Exchange Sir, Buildings, Liverpool. 12 December 1855. I HAVE received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 5th instant, together with its accompanying statement respecing the mechanical defects in the construction of iron ships, and I am to acquaint you that their Lordships have no occasion for your services. Mr. John Clare, Junior, to the Right Honourable Sir Charles Wood, Bart., First Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. 21, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, 8 December 1855. My Lord, OBSERVING in the newspapers that two large steam frigates are about to be laid down in Her Majesty's Dockyards, I would respectfully draw the Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty's particular attention to this especial subject. 1st. That if it be the desire of the Lords to have vessels built with all the improvements science and naval architecture can bring to bear, especially for steam vessels, the oaken frame, which within itself is defective, and no strength in it to begin with, ought to be substituted by something more efficient. 2d. If efficiency be the great point in the navy, ships ought to be constructed scientifically and mechanically, so that "maximum" strength may be obtained with "minimum" weight of material, and by thus conforming to what is possible, the risks from leakage, dry rot, splinters from shot, also to make them shot and fire proof, is practicable. I have no hesitation in stating that ships for war purposes can be built more efficient, and at a less cost, and of a lighter draft of water, than any yet turned out from Her Majesty's Dockyards (i.e.), provided England is to go a-head, and not to retrograde, as the present war has fully developed is the case. I have, &c. (signed) John Clare, Junior. Mr. John Clare, Junior, to the Right Honourable Sir Charles Wood, Bart., First Lord of the Admiralty. 21, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, 11 December 1855. My Lords, In the "Times" of yesterday in the naval intelligence, from H. M. S. "Fairy's report, I am prompted to again address you on the subject of constructing vessels more in accordance with what is required for war purposes. Day by day the more I see developed, in fact, the more strongly it proves to me that my ideas are correct for naval architecture (i.e.), where it is requisite to have efficiency, and more especially now-a-days as minié rifle balls are stated in the "Fairy's" report that they passed through the standard staff, at a computed distance of 1,500 yards; why not at once adopt my egg" shaped iron boats, - when the men would be protected and under cover, and when they could pick the Russians off ad libitum. 66 I will thank you to inform me whether it be the intention of the British Government to enter into my views. It is hard for an Englishman to make up his mind to go over to Russia, as some of my friends wish me to do, and see the Emperor. Human nature is frail at the best of times, and the treatment that I have experienced from the subs in some of the Government departments of the British Government is enough to make an Englishman sell country and all the people in it. Your answer will oblige one who has the honour at present to subscribe himself, (signed) Your, &c. T. Phinn, Esq., M. P., to Mr. John Clare, Junior, 21, Exchange Buildings, Sir, Liverpool. 18 December 1855. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknow`ledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant on the subject of the construction of vessels. Mr. John Clare, Junior, to the Right Hon. Sir Charles Wood, Bart., First Lord of the Admiralty. My Lord, 21, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, 5th January, 1856. I AM much amused at the continual puffs I see in the newspapers about preparations making to beat the Emperor of Russia. The people who make them can have very little idea of what is absolutely requisite to accomplish the point, or else they must think that all of us are as ignorant as they are. The Emperor of Russia will never knock under to either wind or smoke. If ever he gives in, it must be from seeing Cronstadt fall, and not before. From what I have seen there is nothing yet made that he has to fear, and as for the ridiculous craft that are getting built, they can never hurt him. I was speaking to a banker's son the other day from St. Petersburg, and he informs me the exchange is only 2% more now than it was before the war. I have, &c., (signed) John Clare, Junior. No letter from Mr. Clare to Sir Charles Wood, dated 7th January, 1856, can: be traced in the Admiralty Records. Mr. John Clare, Junior, to Secretary to the Admiralty. 21, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool. 11th February, 1856. Sir, As your most Honourable Board has honoured me by adopting the plans furnished at the request of the Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, for the construction of floating batteries and gun-boats (which are prepared in accordance with my inventions, patented 5th September and 17th November, 1853), I beg respectfully to call your attention to the fact, and shall be obliged by your bringing the subject before your Honourable Board, so that they may have an opportunity of considering my claim for pecuniary remuneration for the same. I have, &c., John Clare, Junior. To R. B. Osborne, Esq., M. P. (signed) T. Phinn, Esq., M. P., to Mr. John Clare, Junior, 21, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool. 21st February, 1856. Sir, WITH reference to your letter of the 11th instant, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to acquaint you that as it does not appear that any infringement of your patent right has taken place in the construction of the iron floating batteries, their Lordships cannot admit any claim on your part to remuneration from them. I am, &c., (signed) Thomas Phinn. |