DOUGLAS'S BOAT-LOWERING APPARATUS.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2901, 19 August 1872, Page 3

DOUGLAS'S BOAT-LOWERING APPARATUS.

On Tuesday evening last a number of gentlemen assembled at the Provincial Hotel, Port Chalmers, for the purpose of seeing Captain Whitson, of the ship Wild Deer, presented with a small present, in acknowledgment of the services rendered by him in connection with the trial of Mr W. B. Douglas's new invention for lowering boats at sea. The token, which represents Mr Douglas's patent boat-lowering apparatus, is made of gold, and bears the following inscription : — " Presented by Mr Douglas to Captain Whitson of the ship Wild Deer, 1872." Mr Douglas intimated that Capt. Whitson was the first to go into a boat and take full charge of the apparatus, and he dropped from the side of a steamer while the latter was going at the rate of from 10 to 12 knots, with ag many as eleven people in the boat at a time. He was therefore pleased to have the present opportunity of thanking Captain Whitson for the always ready and willing manner in which he had assisted in trying his patent. On account of the very satisfactory manner in which it had worked, both Captain Skinner of the Warwick, and Captain Peacock, of the William Davie, had ordered sets of the apparatus for the boats of their respective ships, and he quite believed that the more his patent became known the more it would be approved of. He therefore thanked Captain Whitson for introducing it, and hoped he would accept of the little trinket as a proof of his (Mr Douglas's) appreciation of the manner in which he had so often aad so willingly assisted in the matter. Captain Whitson, in reply, said that the little assistance he had given, and the little time he had devoted to the experiment, were, he considered, no more than what every seafaring man who took any interest at all in the safety of his passengers and crew, ought to give. He was always glad to have had an opportunity of trying Mr Douglas's patent, which he considered was one of the safest and most useful inventions for engnging and disengaging a ship's boat ever patented. He was happy to say that every boat in his ship was provided with a complete set of the apparatus. He hoped, however, he would not have occasion to use it on his voyage home, but trusted when he arrived at London that the Lords Commissioner of the Admiralty—who, he believed, were at the press-it time nsing every exertion to obtain the opinions, not only of naval officers but of other competent judges, on the subject of any change which it might be desirable to make in the mode of lowering boats— would have at least one opportunity of witnessing one of his boats being dropped from

any of their fastest steamers whilo going a& full speed. He thanked Mr Douglas foi the very handsome present which he had given him. He had heard that morning for the first time that it was the intention of that gentleman to make him a present prior to his leaving, but he had not the least idea it would be so elegant as it proved to be. Ha also thauked those preseut for their kindness in meeting him that evening, and said he never would forget the many friends he waa about to leave in Otago. Although he would very soon have to leave them, still he hoped it would ouly be for a short time, and he trusted to be able to meet them all again some time early next year. After the usual toasts, and after the refreshment, which, being provided by Mr Dodsou, was of course excellent, hud been done ample justice to, the company dispersed, having spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening.— Daily Times.