THE STORM KING

» Capt. tforgenson, who designed and sailed the sectional lifeboat Storm King from London to Adelaide, was banqueted by his fellow countrymen at that port, and in thanking them for the reception they had given him and his mate said that he thought that they had said too many good things about them, but it was better to be called a brave man than to be called a coward. When he started on his trip he thought that many people might think it a foolhardy adventure, but he wanted to demonstrate the efficiency of the lifeboat. The lifeboats at present in use on passenger ships would be of little value off the Cape of Good Hop 6, for although they might keep afloat they could not hold provisions and provide shelter. Many a shipwrecked person had died for want of shelter, but in the Storm King ample provision in tbis respect was a main feature. Although he and his mate had navigated the vessel to Australia alone that was only to prove that she could be worked very easily; and not that she could not carry more. She would accommodate 120 persons, and hold enough provisions to maintain them all for a fortnight. He had, considerable difficulty , in getting his idea taken up, but now they had plainly demonstrated its utility in the voyage to Australia,— The Storm King is built up of tanks which may be used for carrying water on the deck of a vessel. It is 30 feet long ; 4ft 6in deep \ Bft beam and weighß three tons. It is decked, manholes being provided in which men can stand to pull oars. The rig is a long sail and jigger. The bottom of each tank is double, the space between being available for fresh water, which also acts as ballast.