Born at Narberth, Pembrokeshire, in July, 1845. Was educated in the Mathematical School at the Royal Dockyard, Pembroke, and received a practical training in shipbuilding in that dockyard. Was appointed an Admiralty student in the Royal School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, South Kensington, in 1864, and passed out in 1867 with the diploma of Fellow of the First Class. In 1867 was appointed a draughtsman in the department of the Controller of the Navy at the Admiralty, and served in that capacity till 1872, when he left the Admiralty service for that of Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping, in which Society he was shortly afterwards appointed Assistant Chief Surveyor. In 1881 he left Lloyd’s Register to become general manager to the Barrow Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. (Limited), at Barrow-in-Furness, which position he now occupies. While at the Admiralty, distinguished himself in original scientific work in naval architecture—notably in 1868, by constructing the first curve of stability which was ever produced; in 1870, by investigating the stability of H.M.S. “Captain,” and pointing out, only a few days before she was lost, the dangers to which she was liable; also by his calculations relating to the strength of war-ships, and constructing for them the first curves of hogging and sagging and sheering strains. Since leaving the Admiralty, has enhanced his high reputation for scientific skill through his investigations into the stability and strength of mercantile ships, and the numerous valuable papers upon these and other subjects, which he has read before the Institution of Naval Architects, and other scientific bodies. Has devoted himself largely and very successfully to the consideration of the principal causes of loss of ships at sea—both of sailing vessels and steamers; and has given most instructive evidence in some of the principal cases which have been enquired into in recent years. Several years ago, when sailing ships were being frequently dismasted, made a very lengthy and complete investigation of the circumstances in which these casualties happened, and of their causes; and the same is embodied in an elaborate report upon the subject to the Committee of Lloyd’s Register. Was selected by the Committee appointed to enquire into the loss of H.M.S. Atalanta to investigate the stability of that vessel as an independent check upon the official Admiralty calculations, and his report and evidence showed conclusively that she was capsizable, and probably did capsize at sea. [Illustration: Wm. John (signature) INK-PHOTO, SPRAGUE & C^o. LONDON.] PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. CHARLES M. PALMER. CHARLES MARK PALMER, M.P., CHAIRMAN OF THE PALMER SHIPBUILDING AND IRON COMPANY; MEMBER OF THE IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE, ETC.