Royal Naval Biography/Lihou, John
JOHN LIHOU, Esq.
[Captain of 1833.]
Nephew to Admiral Lord De Saumarez, G.C.B., General of Marines, &c.
This officer obtained a lieutenant’s commission in Oct. 1811; and was appointed to the Tonnant 80, flag-ship of the Hon. Sir Alexander I. Cochrane, on the Halifax station, in the beginning of 1814. He subsequently entered into the merchant service, and commanded the ship Zenobia, of Calcutta, for some years in the East Indies and Pacific. The following is extracted from the Sidney Gazette, April 1823:–
“The Zenobia, Captain John Lihou, is the first ship, we believe, which has ever succeeded In passing Torres Straits from the westward, the general course being from the eastward. This essay of nautical skill was accomplished after the loss of four anchors and the rudder. the ship was afterwards brought up with guns in a fine and extensive harbour in Endeavour Strait, which Captain Lihou reports to be capable of affording commodious and safe anchorage to a first-rate man-of-war, having 6½ fathoms, with a mud bottom, within a bar that crosses the entrance, but over which the Zenobia, of 550 tons, glided with ease. This harbour, which had not previously been discovered by any British commander unless Captain King, R.N. should have gone in that direction, afforded plenty of excellent fresh water.”
We are not aware that any vessel has ever succeeded in effecting a passage in this direction since the Zenobia; neither did Captain King visit this harbour, to which Mr. Lihou gave the name of Port Yarborough, and which is particularly valuable from being the only one known in these dangerous straits.
On the 12th May 1827, Mr. Lihou was promoted to the rank of commander. In 1829, he obtained letters patent for some improvements which he had made in the mode of hanging ships’ rudders, whereby great facility was given to their working, repairing, and management. In the same year, a vessel fitted with his rudder was launched from the building-yard of Messrs. Curling and Smith, in the presence of a concourse of curious and scientific persons, among whom were a number of naval officers and merchant captains, who all bore unequivocal testimony to the value of the Invention. The following “Report of a Survey held at the royal dock yard, Woolwich,” was transmitted to the Admiralty, Aug. 26th, 1830:–
“In pursuance of the directions of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, we, the undersigned, have minutely examined the rudder fitted to H.M.S. Raleigh by Commander Lihou, royal navy; have unshipped and reshipped it with great facility; and are of opinion that it possesses the following advantages: viz.–
“I. It is easier repaired if knocked off, by the pintle and its brace being separate, and can be readily replaced, under any circumstances, at sea, by each ship being supplied with a spare set of pins.
“II. the rudder working in a rule-joint in the stern-post, facilitates its being shipped at sea; and fitting so closely at the heel, it precludes the possibility of any ropes getting in between.
“III. The rudder is found to work easier in consequence of these pintles being turned in a lathe; and we recommend the upper pintle (which is of iron, and upon the old plan) to be altered so as to correspond with the others, which we consider will make the plan most perfect.
“IV. the pins of the pintles, being cylindrical, must, in the event of their breaking, full out of the googings; consequently possess, in our opinion, a decided advantage, inasmuch as it precludes the necessity of either docking a ship, heaving her down, or even returning into port, which must be the case when the broken pintles are hard jammed in.
“V. A towing strap (with a pendant attached to it) on the head of the rudder, we consider preferable to the rudder pendants and chains, from the facility it affords in veering the rudder clear of the stem, and getting it alongside for hoisting in.
“VI. Two straps round the rudder-head (used as slew ropes), to which straps the relieving tackles are hooked; and by this simple plan, two men to each moved the rudder with perfect ease from side to side, answering all the purposes of the horns, chains, and pendants, which may be discontinued, and thereby a considerable expence saved.
(Signed)“Samuel Warren, Commodore.
(Signed)“David Dunn, Captain.
(Signed)“Francis Fead, Captain.”
The following are selected from a great number of similar testimonials, communicated by individuals of known ability and long experience in their profession:–
“London, 2d August, 1830.
“I hereby certify that the barque ‘John Pink,’ under my command, has made a voyage from London to Jamaica and back, with a rudder fitted on the plan of Captain Lihou. I further certify, that it has answered in all respects, during every variety of weather, to my entire satisfaction; and that, besides the facility of rehanging it in case of damage, the rudder moves with much greater ease than rudders on the old plan, to which I consider it far superior.
(Signed)“Robert Nixon, Master.”
“H.M.R.C. Stork, Leith Roads, Aug. 30, 1830.
“Sir,– It gives me much satisfaction to state, that the rudder on your plan, fitted to the Stork revenue cutter, under my command, works well and easy; and I have no hesitation whatever in saying that it answers every expectation. I am. Sir, &c.
(Signed)“S. Barrett, Lieut, and Commr.”
“To Commander Lihou, R.N.”
“London, Sept. 9, 1830.
“I hereby certify, that the ship Chieftain, under my command, has made a voyage to the West Indies and back to London, with a rudder fitted on Captain Lihou’s plan; and I consider it but simple justice to state, that during an experience of thirty-three years, commanding vessels out of this port, I have never before met with an invention so important to shipping. A child of six years old can steer my ship on the present plan; and in the event of the rudder being knocked off, and the pintles broken, I have the means of repairing them, and re-hanging it at sea or on any foreign coast, in a few hours, at no additional expence, as complete a manner as is now done by returning to port and getting new pintles.
(Signed)“Thomas Pattison, Master.”
In the same year a general order was issued by the Commissioners of the Navy, for fitting the rudders of all such of His Majesty’s ships, as may hereafter be built or repaired, on Commander Lihou’s improved plan, which has since been adopted by foreign nations, its advantages having become universally known and appreciated.
On the 1st Feb. 1833, Commander Lihou was appointed to the Victory 104, bearing the flag of Sir Thomas Foley, at Portsmouth; where, in Sept. following, he had the gratification to witness the launch of the Neptune 120, fitted with his patent pintles to her rudder. As a reward for his valuable invention, he was advanced to the rank of captain, Feb. 4th, 1833.