which had not previously been discovered by any British commander unless Captain King, R.N. should have gone in that direction, afforded plenty of excellent fresh water.”
We are not aware that any vessel has ever succeeded in effecting a passage in this direction since the Zenobia; neither did Captain King visit this harbour, to which Mr. Lihou gave the name of Port Yarborough, and which is particularly valuable from being the only one known in these dangerous straits.
On the 12th May 1827, Mr. Lihou was promoted to the rank of commander. In 1829, he obtained letters patent for some improvements which he had made in the mode of hanging ships’ rudders, whereby great facility was given to their working, repairing, and management. In the same year, a vessel fitted with his rudder was launched from the building-yard of Messrs. Curling and Smith, in the presence of a concourse of curious and scientific persons, among whom were a number of naval officers and merchant captains, who all bore unequivocal testimony to the value of the Invention. The following “Report of a Survey held at the royal dock yard, Woolwich,” was transmitted to the Admiralty, Aug. 26th, 1830:–
“In pursuance of the directions of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, we, the undersigned, have minutely examined the rudder fitted to H.M.S. Raleigh by Commander Lihou, royal navy; have unshipped and reshipped it with great facility; and are of opinion that it possesses the following advantages: viz.–
“I. It is easier repaired if knocked off, by the pintle and its brace being separate, and can be readily replaced, under any circumstances, at sea, by each ship being supplied with a spare set of pins.
“II. the rudder working in a rule-joint in the stern-post, facilitates its being shipped at sea; and fitting so closely at the heel, it precludes the possibility of any ropes getting in between.
“III. The rudder is found to work easier in consequence of these pintles being turned in a lathe; and we recommend the upper pintle (which is of iron, and upon the old plan) to be altered so as to correspond with the others, which we consider will make the plan most perfect.
“IV. the pins of the pintles, being cylindrical, must, in the event of their breaking, full out of the googings; consequently possess, in our opinion, a decided advantage, inasmuch as it precludes the necessity of
