f the
greatest possible strength, speed, and fighting power.

Years were spent by him in attempting to bring it into notice. At his
own cost he fitted out a little steamboat, which navigated the Thames;
but to perfect the invention were required more funds than he had at his
command, and he sought in vain for adequate assistance from others.

In January, 1834, he wrote to Sir James Graham, then First Lord of the
Admiralty, thanking him for his share in the restitution of his naval
rank that had occurred nearly two years before, and urging the
co-operation of the Government in perfecting an invention that promised
to be of so much importance to the naval power of England. "You are not
obliged to me for anything," answered Sir James on the 15th; "I only am
fortunate in being the member of a Government which has regained for our
country the benefit of your distinguished valour and services, which, if
again required in war, will, I am persuaded, be so exerted as to win the
gratitude of the nation, and to demonstrate the justice of the decision
to which you allude. It is impossible to over-estimate the paramount
importance of steam in future naval operations; and it is fortunate that
you have directed so much of your attention to the subject. The Board
has complied with your request, and two engineers, in whom we place
reliance, will be ordered to attend you." It does not appear, how-ever,
that the engineers did attend. At any rate, nothing was done by the
Admiralty in aid of the invention either then or for many years after.

Yet its ingenuity was acknowledged by all who investigated it, and by
naval authorities among the number. The Earl of Minto, when First Lord
of the Admiralty, sought to introduce it into the national
ship-building; but official hindrances, too great even for him to
overcome, stood in his way. All he could do was to have it referred to
competent judges and to receive their report in its favour. "I am
commanded to acquaint your lordship," wrote Sir John Barrow, the
Secretary to the Admiralty, to the Earl of Dundonald, on the 20th of
December, 1839, "that the opinions received of your revolving engine are
favourable to the principle, and that it has not been stated that there
are any insurmountable obstacles to its practical execution." The
insurmountable obstacles were in the stolid resistance of subordinates
to any novelty designed to lessen labour and promote economy.

Lord Minto, when out of office