The Times, Monday, Jan 22, 1866; pg. 6; Issue 25401; col C TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir, - The loss of the steamer London and the consequent sacrifice of 220 lives is stated to have been caused through the engine-room hatch having been swept away by the force of the heavy seas which broke over the vessel, and the absence of any effective means of preventing the ingress of the volumes of water which poured down the aperture. I would beg to suggest that in future the precaution should be taken of fixing wrought-iron sliding shutters beneath the deck at all the hatchways, so that by means of a chain and windlass, they could be at once closed in case of accident to any of the hatches, and afford opportunity for repair of the same. Had the London possessed this simple precaution the probability is that the vessel would have weathered the storm. These iron shutters or doors could be made, if necessary, to roll up when not in use, occupying but little space beneath the deck, on the principle of revolving shutters invented by Sir Isambert BRUNEL. The foundering of the steamer Amalia on the 12th inst. is attributed to the want of proper means of closing the bunkers, the lids having been washed overboard. These shutters would at once have afforded the means of remedying the loss. I am, Sir, yours obediently, EDWARD WOOD. Manchester, Jan. 19. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~