Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, War, Politics, Invention, Experiment, Government, Progress, Comparative Philology, Zoology, Zoological Gardens, Representation

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Navy

    Reports on a debate on the subject of 'invulnerable' ships which was prompted by the recent defeat of the Confederate iron ship Merrimac by a Union ironclad, the Monitor. Strongly defending this incident as conclusive proof of the awesome strength of ironclads, Punch praises John Bright who upheld the importance of the incident and criticised George C Lewis for arguing that the government should not 'rush into costly experiments' regarding iron ships. Lamenting Lewis's recalcitrance, reminds him that 'neither the Pyrrhic phalanx nor Greek fire was invented by parties who declined to advance within the military spirit of the time'. (143) Later notes the 'more satisfactory' speech of Edward A Seymour (12th Duke of Somerset), who reported the preparation of four British ironclads and the government's awareness of the importance of the subject. Reports that Edwin H Landseer still visits the lions in the Zoological Society Gardens. Discusses the support of Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) for several measures to improve the nation's defences, including Cowper P Coles's armoured 'Cupola', or turret for ships.