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I should never have done if I attempted the describing all the —
subordinate Contrivances — for these Vessels differ from all others in almost
every particular that can be imagined, for example instead of a large
Mast as in common — two Slender Masts forming a Triangle with a thick
Rope that stays them. Of the two Rudders which the Sea Vermicular
and Timber Vermicular are each provided with one at the Head the
other at the Tail in one I forget which the Staff is set down in the
Middle of the Broad part thus instead of the side, as in common
Rudders thus this was for a reason which Seamen will readily —
apprehend and which I apprehended at the time but have since forgotten.
The great principle upon which the advantage expected from this
Construction in point of Swiftness depends, is, that according to a Maxim
received my Brother says by all Ship Builders Theoretical as well as —
practical, a Vessel meets with no sensible retardment from its length. But
by increasing the length you may increase indefinitely the Number of rowers
and Consequently the moving force while the increase of length as far as
the above Maxim holds good makes no sensible addition to the resistance,
What sets limits to the length in all plans of Construction hitherto known
is the Vessels capacity of holding together without falling to pieces by its own
weight, which is called Hogging by Seamen. My Brother does not know that
anybody before him ever put two rows of rowers close together on the same
side they row without interfering with one another in the least. —
Of the particulars contained in the above description scarce any were
furnished me by my Brother, his attention was sufficiently taken up partly
by an Ague partly by the Conducting of these unexampled and untried —
Vessels with a Crew perfectly raw and unexperienced through a Navigation
rendered as dangerous by sunken or projecting Stumps as a Sea Navigation
by Sunken Rocks. —
When I embarked, he had had his Ague for about ten days and he was
so weakened by it as to be unable to stand and sometimes to speak,
even when the Fit was not on him, but in the Course of the time I
Identifier: | JB/540/354/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 540.
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1787-05-03 |
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540 |
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354 |
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002 |
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Correspondence/copy |
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