Sir, -- I shall be much obliged by your publishing what follows, as a few words from you may be the means of saving very many lives. In The Times dated to-day is a report of the Douro and the Yrurac Bat. The Wreck Commissioner said, " they were asked how did it happen that the Douro, being built in seven water-tight compartments, foundered half-an-hour after she was struck." I answer that, like the Vanguard and others, she was not divided into separate ships by a fore and aft bulkhead, which all iron ships should have for reasons that you have kindly published on former occasions at my request, the want of which in vessels carrying many persons, seamen or passengers, is willfully endangering their lives by faulty construction. I have before me the model of a double wooden vessel, divided fore and aft by a fore and aft watertight bulkhead, that I have possessed since 1819. How much easier to divide an iron ship! By such means the Douro would have been in 14 compartments, instead of seven, and in existence while I write.

I am, Sir, your humble servant,
THOMAS SYMONDS, Admiral of the Fleet.
Torquay, July 10

Read the next news report The Douro Fund - Tuesday, August 15, 1882

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