Naval Construction in this Country, if§^ 



Navy.* From the plan of education, as laid down by the 

 Commissioners of Naval Revision in 1810, it appears that, to a 

 requisite knowledge of the practice of their profession, the 

 gentlemen composing this body of naval constructors unite a 

 sound and competent one of its theory^. 



It can only be from such a source that we can look for the 

 improvement of our men of war, and it is to be regretted that 

 every means should not be taken to avail ourselves of it : but 

 unhappily such is the force of prejudice that, unless some alter- 

 ation should be adopted in this institution, it will be in vain to 

 expect advantage from it. 



The objection urged against this establishment, namely, that 

 the scientific education it gives to its members precludes them 

 from the attainment of a due knowledge of the practical con- 

 struction of our ships, is so absurd, that none but weak or 

 jealous minds could ever have brought it forward. Shall it be 

 laid down, in the present age, as an axiom, that a profound 

 ignorance of the principles of his art is the one thing essential 

 to the formation of what is generally meant by the term '* prac- 

 tical man ?" We contend that, having made, in vain,^ a long 

 and most indulgent trial of a system without science, if we may 

 use such an expression, we must extend to one in alliance with 

 it, a like patronage, before we can be allowed to pronounce a 

 fair and legitimate judgment upon its efficiency. 



But even in the peculiar path in which the naval architects 

 educated at Portsmouth might be supposed to excel, we do not 

 find that any opportunity is allowed them to come forward, nor 

 shall we see this until some effort is made by the heads of our 

 naval departments, to allow a broad and open competition to 

 take place. It may be urged, that the learned Professor at 

 Portsmouth (Dr. Inman) in himself includes all that can have 



* See No. 11. of the Naval and Military Magazine, published in June 

 last. 



t This will be readily acknowledged by those who will choose to read 

 the " Papers on Naval Architecture," and the *' Essays and Gleanings 

 on Naval Architecture," two periodical works proceeding from the mem- 

 bers of this institution. 



% See the Third Report of the Commissioners of Naval Revision, and 

 the Resolutions of the Society for tlie Improvement of Naval Architec- 

 ture, in which the old system of providino; ship-builders for the Royal 

 Navy i| condemned in the most unqualified terms. 



