probably take place at the ensuing coronation, and most sincerely shall I rejoice at finding your name included therein. I am, however, sorry to add, that I possess no influence at head-quarters which can be made useful to you, beyond that of an official reference being made to me on the subject of character and abilities. Should any such be made or called for, in consequence of your intended application to Lord Melville, I shall be most happy to testify my opinion of your zeal, abilities, and strong desire to be made useful to this department. With my best wishes for your success, I remain, my dear Sir, &c.
In 1823, Lieutenant Woollnough made experiments on the antiseptic properties of various substances, with a view to their possible utility at sea. The result was laid before the Admiralty. He also analyzed the water of a mineral spring called the Holywell, near Cartmell, celebrated for its salutary effects on the health of the lead-miners from Alston-Moor. The result was published in the Quarterly Journal of Science and the Arts, in 1824.
On the 12th Jan. 1825, Lieutenant Woollnough was appointed to the command of the Surly cutter, then on the North Sea station, but afterwards employed in conveying specie to Dublin. In Oct. following, he was ordered to the river Wear, to act in aid of the civil power, the seamen there having struck for higher wages, and had recourse to some dreadful acts of violence, while attempting to prevent ships from proceeding to sea. He continued on this duty until Oct. 1826, when he was enabled, with the sanction of the Sunderland magistrates, to report that there was no farther necessity for an armed vessel to remain there. During his stay in that port, the inhabitants and ship-owners were so satisfied with his conduct, that, as we have been given to understand, they wrote through the Marquis of Londonderry, a letter strongly recommending him to the favorable notice of Viscount Melville. In 1827, he was similarly employed at Shields; and on both those occasions he appears to have had an additional party of marines; with a commissioned officer of that corps under his command. While at Sunderland, he constructed a chart of the harbour and roads, in which some dangerous rocks, unnoticed in any
