The prize was awarded to Mr.James Beeching, of Great Yarmouth, whose plans were afterwards generally adopted by the Lifeboat Society.

I have preserved my model just as it was; and some of its features have since been introduced with advantage into shipbuilding.[1] The firm of Robert Stephenson and Co.

having contracted to build for the Government three large iron caissons for the Keyham Docks, and as these were very similar in construction to that of an ordinary iron ship, draughtsmen conversant with that class of work were specially engaged to superintend it.

The manager, knowing my fondness for ships, placed me as his assistant at this new work.

After I had mastered it, I endeavoured to introduce improvements, having observed certain defects in laying down the lines--I mean by the use of graduated curves cut out of thin wood.