Faraday to Jacob Herbert   3 September 1853

Royal Institution | 3 Septr. 1853

My dear Sir

Mr. Phillips¹ (from Wilkins & Co) has just been to me to report on the results of the changes made at St. Catherines. The ventilators are now fixed but he states that only those to leeward admit air into the lanthorn (with the wind at west by south), whilst all the others pass air outward, the doors to the tower being shut[.] There is certainly much that is peculiar to this lighthouse perhaps from its position under the high hill & cliffs of the neighbouring land, but I suspect that the walled in condition of the gallery has a part in the result he describes, affecting the hoods & outer apertures of the ventilators. The windguard which has replaced the cowl is according to his account effectual; the cowl he describes as having frequently revolved 5 or 6 turns together[.]

He reports, upon his own knowledge, that the stove will not burn properly when the tower is shut off from the lanthorn. This stove was cracked about a twelvemonth ago, & the keepers made no complaint of this kind to me when I was recently there. Mr Phillips has applied to me to know what I would advise. I could not take upon me to authorize him in matters not referred to in my former note² but told him I should write to you and I advise, now that his men are there, that under the peculiar conditions of this lighthouse the stove should be taken into the watch room below which would give 8 feet additional hot vertical draught to the chimney and that the chimney (the new part) be enclosed by an air pipe 9 inches in diameter open throughout. Elsewhere as at the South Foreland the arrangement now existing at the St. Catherines has been found quite effectual but here the air seems to drop down upon the lanthorn & reverse many of the usual results. He will apply to you on Monday³ for instruction or authority⁴[.]

I am | My dear Sir | Yours Very faithfully | M. Faraday

Jacob Herbert Esqr | &c &c &c | Secretary