Havy in which Mr. Reed declares his opinion that the Crown Agents had properly carried out their instructions for supplying Engines and Boilers to the Colonial Vessel "Victoria."
2. The observations of Mr. Reed are extremely valuable, as throwing a light generally on many important points connected with the supply of Engines under similar circumstances. It would appear, however, that very great precautions must be taken in future in forwarding requisitions, as notwithstanding that the instructions transmitted had been framed in consultation with the Inspectors of the Naval Dock Yard here, and though the space within which Engines and Boilers were to be fitted was sharply defined, and ample scope given for diminishing the power of the Engine, if the limit of that space required it, the result has been, in the opinion of the Commodore, an unworkable and unsuitable vessel owing to a departure from those instructions.
3. Even Mr. Reed conclusively shows that the space reserved could not receive efficient Engines and Boilers of 400 Horse Power. We render nugatory, however, the precaution of defining that space, by reading the allusion to Boilers not being required to be below the water line as "rather favouring" the adoption of a Boiler arrangement not merely reaching the deck but projecting six feet above it.