by John Marshall

“ But as to the practical utility of his plan, I must here repeat that his premises appear to me, morally as well as physically, so unattainable, and his whole process so directly at variance with a seaman’s knowledge and experience, that I do not hesitate to predict (whatever may have been the result of the practice in the smooth water of the river Medway, where probably the different distances were measured or otherwise ascertained,) it will never stand the test of experiment in action, in a rough sea, or in ocean water, where alone its utility must be looked for. ”

“ Captain Duff, when Lieutenant of H.M. late ship Queen Charlotte, at the time she was burnt, was the means of saving the lives of several men, through his humane and feeling exertions, by over-ruling the objections of those in the boat with him against receiving any more ”

“ These are to certify that Captain Archibald Duff, when a Lieutenant on board H.M.S. Foudroyant, under my command, in 1799, and when she was lying at anchor in the bay of Palermo, did, in a most gallant manner, jump overboard, and save a seaman belonging to the said ship. This happened in the middle watch, and the night was very dark. The unfortunate man would most certainly have been drowned, had it not been for the exertions of this enterprising young officer. ”