r-43 Improvement in Anchors. 



the masts DD, for a top mast FF, the heel of which resis 

 in a mortice made in the stump or the lower mas* : it is also 

 steadied by a double cap G, separately shown in fig. 3, on 

 which it fids finally on the top. The top- gallant mast II is 

 fixed to the mast F by the top and cap in the usual manner. 

 The figures 2 and 3 show the caps separated from the masts, 

 and are the only things necessary to be made for the pur- 

 pose; and the object of the cap, fig. 2, is to steady and pre- 

 vent any wringing of the lower jury mast, and to fid the 

 top mast whenever it is reefed. The fore top mast FF ap- 

 pears in two separate pieces, on account of its length. 



LXIV. Improvement in Anchors, to render them more du- 

 rable and safe for Ships ; and an improved Mode of Fish- 

 ing Anchors. By Capt. H. L. Ball, qj the Rcri/al Navy*, 



SIR, 



JL he great expense of timber in the navy for anchor stocks, 

 and the frequency of their failing or giving way in the cen- 

 tre, where the square of the anchor is let into the stock, 

 have induced me to offer to the Society of Arts, &c, a plan 

 of an anchor which may be cheaper in construction, and 

 more likely to hold in various situations than those in com- 

 mon use. 



The model I have sent will sufficiently explain my inten- 

 tion, and show how beneficial it may be in strengthening 

 the anchor stocks. I wish much to notice to you its proba- 

 bility of holding in the ground longer than other anchors, 

 on account of the additional weight of the stock ; and this 

 will more particularly be the case in banks which shelve 

 suddenly down from the shore, such as at St. Helena, Caw- 

 sand Bay, and indeed in most of the islands in the West 

 Indies. The proportion of additional iron, as explained by 

 my model, is in all anchors to be twice and a half the dia- 

 meter of the shank from each side at the stock, and of 



* From Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufac- 

 tures, and Commerce, for 1808 The silver medal of the Society was voted 



to Capt. H. L. Ball for this communication. 



course 



