Historic Letter US Army 1841 Tests Metallic Life Protectors at FORT WOOD

Description

Wonderful United States Army manuscript document, 1p, 8" x 13", Fort Wood, November 22, 1841. A handwritten "Copy" of statements by Joseph Eaton, as US Army Surgeon, and William Burnett, a US Army Chaplain, regarding the testing of Ralph Buckley's "New York Patent Metallic Life Protectors". Evidently,  the government was considering a flotation device that also doubled as a thermal barrier against steam. Of interest, inventor Ralph Buckley had previously applied for a patent in 1824 for a steam engine.  Overall, a very interesting document that shed's light into the U.S. Navy's ongoing development and modernization  that was very active during the 1840s through 1860s - especially in terms of steam-powered vessels and the obvious need to protect sailors from the hazards of this new technology. This letter has added significance in that it was written from Fort Wood, which would become the future home of the Statue of Liberty. Just a fascinating piece of Americana!
The document remains in good condition  showing signs of age and wear. Docketing at verso. Document is completely split at center horizontal fold, appears to be easily repairable. Tear and split at right edge, very minor toning, evidence of previous repair at verso. Text is dark and legible.
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Complete transcription as follows:
"Surgeon
U.S. Army
Copy of certificate to Wm. Burnett Chaplain US Army
This may certify that happening to be present at the time experiments were made with Mr. Ralph Buckley's New York Patent Metallic Life Protectors - by several U.S. Sailors at the U.S. receiving ship North Carolina in the Harbour of New York. I became satisfied that the invention for the preservation of human life in case of fire or other casualties in steamers of which is highly important, inasmuch as its buoyant qualities are permanent & persons having them attached to the body must necessarily float whether enabled to swim or not: And an improvement of this nature seems particularly valuable in order to give confidence to persons who hazard their lives in steamers, on account of additional hazards to which they are exposed by fire and steam.
William Burnett
Chaplain U.S. Army"
"Fort Wood, Bedloe's Island, November 22 1841
At the request of Mr. Ralph Buckley I caused his "New York Patent Metallic Life Protectors" to be repeatedly tested at this post.
The men to whom the Life Protectors were attached went off into deep water at a distance from the shore, & when at rest, as well as when swimming were completely buoyed and sustained on the surface of the water, and could not sink. I consider these instruments a complete protection - more so than any thing of the kind that has been invented - and I have no hesitation in recommending them: And in stating as my opinion that for the benefit of community they should be attached to all descriptions of vessels - and especially to those propelled by steam.
(signed) Joseph Eaton"
USS North Carolina
was a 74-gun ship of the line in the United States Navy. One of the "nine ships to rate not less than 74 guns each" authorized by Congress on 29 April 1816, she was laid down in 1818 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard, launched on 7 September 1820, and fitted out in the Norfolk Navy Yard. Master Commandant Charles W. Morgan was assigned to North Carolina as her first commanding officer on 24 June 1824. The USS North Carolina saw extensive service throughout the Pacific, Mediterranean, and South America. Because her great size made her less flexible than smaller ships (and finding ports to accommodate her 21 foot draft proved to be a challenge), she returned to the New York Navy Yard in June of 1839, and served as a receiving ship until placed in ordinary in 1866. She was sold at New York on 1 October 1867.
Fort Wood
The Statue of Liberty's pedestal sits atop the remains of Fort Wood, originally one link in a chain of defenses protecting New York City and its vital harbor. The fort was built between 1808 and 1811 in the shape of an eleven-pointed star and was occupied by the War Department as an army post until 1937.