Faraday to James Timmins Chance   25 September 1860

Royal Institution | 25 Septr. 1860

My dear Sir

Thanks for your letter of yesterday¹. I have no right to interfere with the Red Sea lights at present and leave them to you. I gave notice to MM. Parkes and Wilkins that the lamps must be with them.

When at Whitby M Massilin said it would be easy to turn the illuminating apparatus but the nuts broke & there was not time[.] Now can this be done and that safely so as to allow of the partial revolution of the illuminating apparatus so as to bring any of the Octants into a given direction and that without disturbance of the adjustment in relation to the lamp & the sea horizon for as Captn. Ryder suggest[ion]² that would much facilitate our observation at Sea[.] Thus if the vessel were at sea 5 miles off opposite Octant no. 2 and 2’ were allowed for each observation then the signals & order might be as follows

Signal from the ship

bring <-> 2 in & then stop until the next signal from the ship[.] This would include only 10’ for the actual moving time and the longest interval during which the mariner would be deprived of the South light would be only 6’ for No.4.- Then the ship might sail of[f] to 10 miles and repeat signal & series - again at 15 or 20 miles and repeat[.] Then we would if practicable shade off the lenticular part - & observe at three distances back again with the reflectors only[.]

I have been to the Trinity House today & ascertained that this removal of the light for 6’ would not produce any harm & might be allowed. If you therefore can make the apparatus rotate (by hand of course) without introducing harm or error do so and let know when done[.]

Ever My dear Sir | Truly Yours | M. Faraday

J.T. Chance Esq | &c &c &c