An address to the British public : with suggestions for the recovering property from sunken vessels; also, for the means for rescuing the lives of sailors from stranded vessels; and for the prevention of shipwreck; likewise, on the extinction and prevention of destructive fires; and for rescuing persons from houses enveloped in flames: and for saving from drowning persons who break through the ice. With a description and representation of apparatus used for those purposes, and instructions for their application / By G.W. Manby.

  • Manby, George William, 1765-1854.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address to the British public : with suggestions for the recovering property from sunken vessels; also, for the means for rescuing the lives of sailors from stranded vessels; and for the prevention of shipwreck; likewise, on the extinction and prevention of destructive fires; and for rescuing persons from houses enveloped in flames: and for saving from drowning persons who break through the ice. With a description and representation of apparatus used for those purposes, and instructions for their application / By G.W. Manby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Impressed with these feelings, I am gratified with whatever can further the cause of science, and observe with the greatest pleasure the announcement of a Polytechnic Institution, for the advancement of Arts and Practical Science, in Cavendish-square and Regent-street, similar to the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, in Paris. It has a Laboratory, Experimental Rooms, and a Gallery for the Exhibition of novel and useful Inventions, and forms a convenient place of social resort for the lovers of Practical Science, and the admirers of Ingenious Productions; and I have myself seen there a spacious well of water, to admit the descent and illustrate the rise of the diving- bell, with which experiments may be made, where improvements may be suggested, and be practically applied, and the invaluable faculties I iave alluded to may find full scope for the most unbounded exercise. Professing myself the ingenious man’s friend, and the ardent well- wisher of all who devote themselves to inventive pursuits, my anxious hope is, that this Institution may take root and flourish ; because I see the advantages that will accrue from the arrangements to aid the great cause of science; because, from the high character and dis- tinguished attainments of the members who compose its management, they are above the low feelings of party prejudice, and desire to g-ive encouragement to every useful production; and because it will become a place of ready access, where the ingenious may submit their suggestions in the strictest confidence without injury to them- selves, and where, if their productions are found really useful and meritorious, they will obtain the benefit of advice,* and receive the * The advantage of advice from men of highly honourable minds, and qualified by superior scientific attainments, would greatly tend to remove the specious fallacies which so often mislead and induce persons to embark in an expensive and uncertain patent, where they sink their little capital, and waste their valuable time, which a proper degree of scientific information would have prevented, and which would have directed their efforts to objects amply to reward their industry, as well as to register their names as benefactors to mankind, and be an honour to the age in which they lived. There is one other suggestion which I beg leave to submit, and which I humbly hope is worthy of serious consideration, the establishment of a Board, consisting of members, distinguished as just named, selected to examine and to report on works tending to importantly useful and highly-beneficial objects (where the authors are from their station in life unable to perfect their designs), and if hv them favourably viewed, to he recommended for some national assistance to carry their object into execution. 1 am aware it would be necessary in such cases to provide, that the time of such Board should not he wastefully taken up in frivolous or absurd projects, hut I have no doubt arrangements might be made to guard against, and sufficiently to prevent, such a result.