36 Observations on the State of 



frigates, with curvilinear sterns*, and many other important 

 improvements. They mount 60 guns and carronades — viz. 24- 

 pounders on the gun deck, and 36-pounder carronades on the 

 flush deck. — The former caUbre is equivalent very nearly to 

 26, and the latter to 391bs. avoirdupois. i> 



When we reflect on these circumstances, we cannot but feel 

 surprised that so many frigates of inferior force and dimensions 

 should be building in our dockyards. In time of emergency 

 they will only bring on us a repetition of former disasters and 

 deficiency. We contend that, instead of building ships of only 

 equal force to those of our rivals, and thus waiting for the 

 developement of their designs before we can venture on a single 

 step, we should build beyond them in every respect. It must 

 and ought to be recollected, that peace in these matters pro- 

 duces a contest of intellect, and those will have the advantage 

 in it who attack instead of standing on the defensive. We 

 ought to lead the way, and to be at the head of the maritime 

 world, not in number alone, but also in the individual force 

 and qualities of our ships. 



Having expatiated on the advantages of an increased ratio 

 of length to breadth in relation to the hull of a ship, we will 

 just glance at some of the principal effects it would have upon 

 the masting and sails ; and here again we conceive that Pro- 

 fessor Inman has, in common with many others, relinquished 

 the many good effects resulting from it, for the inadequate one, 

 of being able to carry a somewhat greater quantity of sail, 

 which must necessarily be lofty, and which, (setting aside this 

 detracting circumstance,) as the velocity of a ship varies only 

 as 2i fractional power of the surface of canvas spread, cannot 

 produce the degree of fast sailing to be wished for, but at an 

 immense and impracticable quantity of sailf. 



A greater proof of the inadequacy of the present system of 



* The French Admiral Willaumez, in his " Dictionnaire de Marine," 

 published in 1 820, says under the article Fregate, that as far back as 

 1804, he had proposed a plan for a frigate of the largest size, with a 

 round stem, wherein the quarter galleries were suppressed : the first 

 frigate upon his plan was built at Brest about 1821 . 



t As the square root, so that to get twice the velocity, /owr times as 

 much canvas must be spread ; and this is the most favourable estimate 

 that can be made. 



