Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Commerce, Government

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Navy

    Criticizes the 'extravagance and mismanagement' to which shipbuilding has been exposed, notably the disagreement between Charles Seely and John S Pakington over the cost of the HMS Frederick William, and the differences in cost estimated by different dockyards. Urges the Admiralty to take more care over the way it deals with contractors.