The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-27 00:00:00

EVEN ENG EDITION.

BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—l have read in your columns with great
Leasure and instruction, Captain Napier's letter on
abolition of the Board of Admiralty, as at
?sent constituted. The charges of inefficiency
.0n.4.11t against it by Captain Napier have bc2n
and vigorously stated, but there is one cause
con plaint of the highest importance, which has
en overlooked by him ; I allude to the unjust
nduct invariably pursued towards peen of sci-
ziFic attainments, who, having applied them-
Ives to effect improvements in ship-building—
varying and bettering the implements of
irfare, and in other branches connected with
utical subjects, are desirous of bringing under
notice of Government the results of their

)ours. To whom can persons thus situated turn
• assistance, in furtherance of their interests ?
le inventor naturally desires secresy that he may
the fullest benefit from his discoveries.
such circumstances it is vain to memorialise
:!retary or the Board, and thereby secure for
airs a premature and injurious publicity; and
ily the applicant can, through the favour of
t2.ntial patron, obtain an interview with the
ord, that exalted personage, who attains
ation through political causes only, is found
:2tent to do justice to any product of me-
-1 or scientific skill, which ranges beyond the
level of a well-bred Nobleman's education.
st Lord, therefore, at the interview, calls in
of a colleague at the Board, generally the
uctuher, who, pluming himself perhaps on
.station of having, with the immortal Nelson,
'd the battle and the breeze," holds it as in-
that the British Navy is the model of
erfection, and its improvement beyond
With him all modern theories

r of man.

new-fangled notions," and, without the
orzesr of investigation, all innovators are quacks.
s, Sir, such men may be found fool-hardy
-;1:W to hazard opinions and tender advice re-
fl.:lin:, projects confessedly beyond their know-
; hut the plan succeeds. The bland Chief
points to his distiguished counsellor,
pfwessiopal rank is his shield. The
applicant is politely bowed out ; his
!n.examined ; and his only resource is in a
a::(1, there to seek the encouragement de-
him at home. To What extent the
rca of Russia and France have since the
Lc war profited by British talent,- is a fair
Lt for speculation—the next war may prove it,
aa-,azerncrit of our tars. Well did Captain
on a former occasion, observe that while the
world was travelling at rail-road speed,
kept to the old jog-trot of the stage-

cst, Sir, that the arrangements under the

of the Commission recently appointed
for the institution of an office, having
t the exami -.ation of such inventions
nests as may be submitted to the
This office would,
in some individual possess-
once and scientific knowledge of
Ir,kr, and whose moral fitness for a post
ortant trust, especially as regards the
ion of secresy, may be confidently relied
present there is no such officer, and as for
tha Admiralty knows it not. Not only,

G o vern in cut .

VCS

Captain Napier., are many things which ought
confined to the Higher Powers known to the
o body of Lords composing the Board, but also,
Or (21 the Clerks in the ece !
1 am, Sir, your most obedient servant;
S. A. W.
)radon, 25th March, 1839.