The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-29 00:00:00

NO. XVIII.-MEASITREMENT.

My Lords find, with pleasure, that the system of par-
tial measurement, introduced into the yards in March
last, is working satisfactorily. They wish, however, to
remind the superintendents that the principe of the pre-
sent system is, not to measure all the work done in the
dockyards, but that all work should be measured occa-
sionally. The measurer is an instrument, of which the
superintendent, or the master shipwright, is to avail
himself whenever he is dissatisfied with the work of a par-
ticular gang, and wishes to ascertain whether the men

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ii. ut•tault is exereisA by to Ina, er-stilp r,g :t.—
attention paid by the superintendent to the woricworkingor
the system generally—and the impre:sion thus diffused
amongst the inspectors and men, that the means which
the superintendent has of evimating accurately the ex-
ertions of all under him, will materially guide him in
his recommendations for promotion.
My Lords desire that a frequent inspection of the
measurer's books be considered as one of the principal
duties of the superintendents ; and it is their intention,
at their own annual inspections, to require, in each yard,
a report of the working of the system, and a precis of
the results which it has presented quarterly.
My Lords are aware that the value of those results
depends upon the accuracy of the schemes of prices,
upon which they are founded; and that, in some res-
pects, the schemes now in use are defective. But many
omissions and defects will be corrected by the returns
already received from the yards, at the close of the first
six months; and my Lords have no doubt that, with the
experience of another half-year, when similar returns
will be called for, a committee of master-shipwrights,
and measurers will be enabled to supply all that is want-
ing, especially as regards shipwright's work, the scale
for which is now founded upon the old scheme of 1825,
corrected in 1829, which makes no provision for the
new wants and new works connected with the steam
navy.

My Lords, expect that particular attention will be paid
to the points here enumerated, feeling confident that,
with proper care, the system of measurement may be
made to work with satisfaction to all concerned, and with
decided benefit to the public. H. G. WARD.

NO. XIX. —MEASURER.
My Lords are pleased to direct that one measurer
shall be reduced at Sheerness, the scale of work in that
yard not requiring three. H. G. WARD.
NO. XL—INSPECTOR'S DAY 11100X8, AND RETURNS BY

LEADING MEN.
My Lords see much reason to be dissatisfied with the
manner in which the inspectors' day-book is kept in most
of the dockyards, and desire that it may be much
more strictly looked to than it has been of late, both by
the foremen and the master shipwrights.
The day-book, when first introduced, was intended to
be the basis of the weekly " Expense Sheet," and this
again is the basis of Form 89, in which the annual cost
of labour employed in ship-building is abstracted by the
storekeepers for the surveyor. It is, therefore, of the
highest importance that the day-books should contain
such an account of work done as will tally with the
" Expense Sheet," in all essential particulars, and my
Lords desire that the foremen will acertain this carefully
before they submit the " Expense Sheet," which is pre-
pared by the inspectors, under their superintendence, for
the signature ut the master shipwright.
The returns made out, one.- a week, by the leading
men, under the Dockyard Circular, as to the conduct of
the gangs under them, are to be reduce.' to once a fort-
night. H. G. WARD.

NO. XXL—RCRNETTIZING PROCESS.
My Lords considering t.ie tact, that the Burnettizing
process, al hough attended with a considerable expense
must still be regarded in the light of an experiment,
sufficient time not having yet elapsed to test its results
practically, are pleased to direct that the process shall
be confined to the three yards where it is already in use;
namely, Portsmouth, Chatham, and Woolwich; res ry
ing to themselves the power of extending it to the other
dockyards, when experience shall have established its
value. IL G. WARD.

NO. XIII.—SUPERANNUATION.
My Lords not being satisfied with the present mode
of recommending tor superannuation in the dockyards,
are pleased to direct that a superannuation beard shall
be formed in each dockyard, which is to consist of the
following members:—

The superintendent;
The captain of the ordinary, or flag-ship;
The master shipwright; assisted by the medical officers
of the dockyard.

This board is to be held on the first Monday of each
month, and superannuation Cases may be brought before
it, by the superintendent, the master shipwright, the
surgeon of the yard, or the officers generally, in their
respective depart nente; and, atter such a preliminary
investigation, my Lords feel confident that many of the
defects, which they havo noted hitherto, will be put an
end to. H. G. WARD.