| Reference number | NLB/11/573 |
| Alternative reference number | NLB/11 p276-281 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Michael Foster, to Sir Evan MacGregor, Admiralty, S.W. |
| Date | 25 July 1895 |
| Description | The President and Council of the Society have had under consideration a proposal referred to them by the Committee administering the Government Grant of £4000 in aid of scientific investigation, for the investigation of the structure of a coral reef by boring.
The President and Council understand that the same proposal is also under the consideration of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
The proposal is to make a deep boring of some 600 feet in depth or more in a coral island and to carefully examine the core obtained. It is believed that by this means the vexed but important problem of the mode of origin of coral reefs be settled, but also great light will be thrown on still more important general geological questions. The President and Council regard the proposal as one which on scientific grounds deserves earnest support.
Discusses the Government of New South Wales' offer to loan diamond boring apparatus. The coral island which seems most suitable is Funafuti, a British possession and it is proposed to commence operations in the early summer of 1896.
Asks MacGregor to place before the Lords of Admiralty the request that they grant the aid of one of Her Majesty's Surveying vessels.
An accurate survey of the atoll and the surrounding sea will be necessary and the assistance of the crew and artificers would be invaluable in view of the possibility of accident to the machinery. The work would probably last ten weeks.
The President and Council are under the impression that the survey which would result would be of service in the interests of navigation and they trust that the Lords may feel able to give this most valuable aid to a most important and useful scientific undertaking. |
| Extent | 6p |
| Format | Carbon |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8220 | Foster; Sir; Michael (1836 - 1907); physiologist | 1836 - 1907 |