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during the experiments。
I completed the prescribed drawings and specifications； and sent
them； together with the model； to Somerset House。 Some 280
schemes of lifeboats were submitted for competition； but mine was
not successful。 I suspect that the extreme novelty of the
arrangement deterred the adjudicators from awarding in its
favour。 Indeed； the scheme was so unprecedented； and so entirely
out of the ordinary course of things； that there was no special
mention made of it in the report afterwards published； and even
the description there given was incorrect。 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
linesI mean by the use of graduated curves cut out of thin
wood。 In lieu of this method； I contrived thin tapered laths of
lancewood； and weights of a particular form； with steel claws and
knife edges attached； so as to hold the lath tightly down to the
paper； yet capable of being readily adjusted； so as to produce
any form of curve； along which the pen could freely and
continuously travel。 This method proved very efficient； and it
has since come into general use。
The Messrs。 Stephenson were then also making marine engines； as
well as large condensing pumping engines； and a large tubular
bridge to be erected over the river Don。 The splendid high…level
bridge over the Tyne； of which Robert Stephenson was the
engineer； was also in course of construction。 With the
opportunity of seeing these great works in progress； and of
visiting； during my holidays and long evenings； most of the
manufactories and mines in the neighbourhood of Newcastle； I
could not fail to pick up considerable knowledge； and an
acquaintance with a vast variety of trades。 There were about
thirty other pupils in the works at the same time with myself；
some were there either through favour or idle fancy； but
comparatively few gave their full attention to the work； and I
have since heard nothing of them。 Indeed； unless a young fellow
takes a real interest in his work； and has a genuine love for it；
the greatest advantages will prove of no avail whatever。
It was a good plan adopted at the works； to require the pupils to
keep the same hours as the rest of the men； and； though they paid
a premium on entering； to give them the same rate of wages as the
rest of the lads。 Mr。 William Hutchinson； a contemporary of
George Stephenson； was the managing partner。 He was a person of
great experience； and had the most thorough knowledge of men and
materials； knowing well how to handle both to the best advantage。
His son…in…law； Mr。 William Weallans； was the head draughtsman；
and very proficient； not only in quickness but in accuracy and
finish。 I found it of great advantage to have the benefit of the
example and the training of these very clever men。
My five years apprenticeship was completed in May 1851； on my
twentieth birthday。 Having had but very little 〃black time；〃 as
it was called； beyond the half…yearly holiday for visiting my
friends； and having only 〃slept in〃 twice during the five years；
I was at once entered on the books as a journeyman； on the 〃big〃
wage of twenty shillings a week。 Orders were； however； at that
time very difficult to be had。
Railway trucks； and even navvies' barrows； were contracted for in
order to keep the men employed。 It was better not to discharge
them； and to find something for them to do。 At the same time it
was not very encouraging for me； under such circumstances； to
remain with the firm。 I therefore soon arranged to leave； and
first of all I went to see London。 It was the Great Exhibition
year of 1851。 I need scarcely say what a rich feast I found
there； and how thoroughly I enjoyed it all。 I spent about two
months in inspecting the works of art and mechanics in the
Exhibition； to my own great advantage。 I then returned home；
and； after remaining in Scarborough for a short time； I proceeded
to Glasgow with a letter of introduction to Messrs。 J。 and G。
Thomson； marine engine builders； who started me on the same wages
which I had received at Stephenson's； namely twenty shillings a
week。
I found the banks of the Clyde splendid ground for gaining
further mechanical knowledge。 There were the ship and engine
works on both sides of the river； down to Govan； and below there；
at Renfrew； Dumbarton； Port Glasgow； and Greenockno end of
magnificent yardsso that I had plenty of occupation for my
leisure time on Saturday afternoons。 The works of Messrs。 Robert
Napier and Sons were then at the top of the tree。 The largest
Cunard steamers were built and engined there。 Tod and Macgregor
were the foremost in screw steamshipsthose for the Peninsular
and Oriental Company being splendid models of symmetry and works
of art。 Some of the fine wooden paddle…steamers built in Bristol
for the Royal Mail Company were sent round to the Clyde for their
machinery。 I contrived to board all these ships from time to
time； so as to become well acquainted with their respective
merits and peculiarities。
As an illustration of how contrivances； excellent in principle；
but defective in construction； may be discarded； but again taken
up under more favourable circumstances； I may mention that I saw
a Hall's patent surface…condensor thrown to one side from one of
these steamers； the principal difficulty being in keeping it
tight。 And yet； in the course of a very few years； by the
simplest possible contrivanceinserting an indiarubber ring
round each end of the tube （Spencer's patent）surface
condensation in marine engines came into vogue； and there is
probably no ocean…going steamer afloat without it； furnished with
every variety of suitable packings。
After some time； the Messrs。 Thomson determined to build their
own vessels； and an experienced naval draughtsman was engaged； to
whom I was 〃told off〃 whenever he needed assistance。 In the
course of time； more and more of the ship work came in my way。
Indeed； I seemed to obtain the preference。 Fortunately for us
both； my superior obtained an appointment of a similar kind on
the Tyne； at superior pay； and I was promoted to his place。 The
Thomsons had now a very fine shipbuilding…yard； in full working
order； with sever