Papers concerning discussions on the corrections of compasses on iron ships. The volume includes a 'new mode of ascertaining the deviation of the compass in steamers'; 'notes on the new "compass deviation" circular' from the 'Mercantile Marine Magazine'; 'on the deviation of the standard compass of a 'composite' sailing ship'; newspaper cuttings from 'The Glasgow Herald' and 'Glasgow News' on navigation and compasses on iron ships; work by W. Thomson, Lord Kelvin, on compasses; a report of an investigation into the loss of the 'Tayleur' (1854), with F.J.O. Evans' comments and notes on the loss of the ship; a chart of the Irish Channel; and a description of instruments for finding co-efficients of deviation. The correspondents include T. Brassey, F.J.O. Evans, J.T. Towson, W. Thomson, C.V. Walker, W.H.M. Christie and W. Harkness.