[ Vice-Admiral Philip Howard Colomb; naval tactician, inventor, Arctic explorer, etc ] Two Autograph Letters Signed P H Colomb, both to an Editor, unnamed, about his article on Colomb lights for naval vessels.

Two ALSs, four pages each (an expansive hand), 12mo, bifoliums, fold marks, good condition. LETTER ONE: I have sent you by Book Post an article on Griffons loss. | To show that I do not speak at random in this article, I should tell you that I have private letters from the Commodore ([Hornby?]) saying 'I wish you would hasten ... the supply of your Lamps. Griffons [see note below] loss bears on the subject.'...| I wrote in August begging that all vessels coming out here might be supplied with Colomb's lights. I find the [last?] comers are not so blessed. Without I think being prejudiced by my own interest, I cannot help being indignant when I know that this loss is altogether due to the obstinacy on the part of the last Board. If there had been full means of communication between the ships, Davidson would most likely have said all he wanted by signal instead of [leaving?] his ship. LETTER TWO: He is obliged to the Editor to have opened [his] columns to [review?] the matter of signals- I am now about to ask you to allow me to make myself heard in the matter of Collisions at sea. He has sent an article in the [Kenyon?] case which I hope may find admission and I propose a further notice as you will see. I attended to every word of the Court Martial and to all the proceedings of the Admiralty Court, and without egotism I may say I have made myself a competent judge of the whole question. Postscript, Will you kindly return the article if not suitable?. Note: Intelligence has been received from the West Coast of Africa of the loss of Her Majesty's gun vessel Griffon. It appears that the Griffon and Pandora, when standing into Little Popoe, in the Bight of Benin, on the evening of the 2nd of October, unfortunately came into collision, and that the Griffon ran on to the beach shortly afterwards. The Mullet and Pandora had endeavoured, without success, to get the Griffon off up to the evening of the 6th of October, and it was feared she would become a total wreck. Officers and men are all safe and well.