ously important in its consequences, by materially decreasing the consumption of timber and demand for ships, should have been rendered abortive by opinion only, without test by comparison. I am, &c.
In December, 1812, the experiments on timber carried on at Woolwich by a Mr. Lukin, under the immediate direction of the Admiralty and Navy Boards, as stated in Mr. Croker’s letter of July 11th, 1812, “with a reasonable prospect of success," was rendered conclusive, as the timber exploded, the building and part of the dock-yard wall was blown up, and several men killed and wounded. In Jan. 1813, Commander Layman published the “Precursor” to a work which he was then employed in compiling, entitled “An Outline of Maritime History, with General Events, from the Creation of the Universe to the termination of the French Revolutionary War, 1814-15; including a particular account of the State and Condition of the British Navy at the latter period; with a Supplemental Memoir on Forest Trees and Timber, as connected with the Naval Power and Prosperity of the United Kingdom; containing an Expose of a discovery for speedily preparing Forest Trees for immediate conversion and service, by removing the Cause of premature Decomposition, and encreasing the Strength, as well as Duration of Timber – thereby furnishing the means to prevent the possibility of rapid decay by Dry-rot, or otherwise, in Ships, and all Structures wherein Wood is used: demonstrated by actual experiments.”
During the sitting of Parliament, in 1813, the rotten condition of our navy was stated in the House of Peers by Earl Darnley, who noticed ihe neglect of Captain Layman’s proposal to prevent the evil in future; said that, “if any one wished for information on the subject, he should read the ‘Precursor;’ and hoped the noble lord at the head of the Admiralty would pay due attention to the subject,” intimating, that otherwise he should bring the matter before their lordships. Viscount Melville, in reply, stated, that the Admiralty were at all times disposed to attend to this subject. But as no notice whatever was taken by the next session, Captain Layman thus addressed the First Lord:–
