Si Observations on the State of 



rity of evolution less than that of the three-decker ; and since, 

 from the reduction of weight aloft, the centre of gravity would 

 be lowered, and the displacement required to be less, a some- 

 what smaller breadth might be allowed to a two-decked ship of 

 206 feet long, than to one of 196 feet (especially since the 

 quantity of sail, remaining the same, is lowered by one whole 

 depth between deck), a smaller midship section would be, ccsteris 

 paribus f required ; the velocity of this ship might be consider- 

 ably increased. Nothing however can be precisely determined 

 on, with such a complication of circumstances, beyond a general 

 idea. Calculation and a strict analysis of ships must be re- 

 sorted to, in order to fill up the outline of our reasoning. 



But for the same reason that we imagine that an addition of 

 20 or perhaps 40 feet would not sensibly injure the celerity of 

 manoeuvring of our two-deckers, we should think that the same 

 increase of this dimension might be tried without much risk to 

 our first rates, with an increase of breadth not exceeding -gi^th 

 part that is given to the length. 



We repeat that the very capital object of the science of 

 Naval Construction is velocity ^ and we are decidedly of opinion 

 that it is attainable in a much higher degree than at present, 

 without compromising other necessary qualities, for which we 

 have the concurrence of facts as far as they gd. 



* The Anglo-Americans, in the last war, took every possible 

 advantage suggested by views similar to those we have been 

 adverting to, in the construction of their large frigates. They 

 had, it may be said, to create a martial navy, and they had to 

 oppose it against fearful odds ; but, free from the prejudices 

 and errors so blindly cherished by their opponents, and which 

 constantly oppose reform by always declaring the present prac- 

 tice to be the best, they did not retread the old path, but began 

 at its last step, and boldly advanced on this principle into all 

 the branches of the art. They built vessels upon the most en- 

 larged dimensions, and of a superior weight of metal, and gave 

 an increased ratio of length to the breadth. The result of such 

 a procedure, justified the confidence of the American naval 

 architects in only one maxim, founded upon the scientific ob- 

 servation of facts, and may give us a faint idea of what might 

 be effected by a still more enlarged and mathematical analysis. 



