326 On the Sloivage and Sailing 



A fact well worthy of notice may be introduced here : — 



It is universally known how well the Kentish and Sussex 

 smuggling vessels have always sailed. The fact is, there is very 

 little but the cargo to stow, and that is placed in the centre of 

 the vessel. A small quantity of provisions, a few sails, and 

 their anchors and cables, is the only weight beside, and which 

 is also kept clear of the extremities. And this method appears 

 to be derived more from a sort of established knowledge or 

 practice, which descends from father to son, than an acquired 

 system, as perhaps there are no men possessed of less scientific 

 knowledge. 



I shall therefore Only observe, with respect to the ballast, that 

 it should be winged in proportion to the supposed or ascer-r 

 tained inclination of the ship to rolling, and on no account to 

 extend it to the finer parts ; as without it, there is sufficient 

 longitudinal space in a large ship to trim the ballast, so as to 

 bring her to a proper draught of water, provided the stores and 

 provisions are also properly arranged, and those of the least 

 weight selected for stowing nearest the extremities. To contri- 

 bute towards which, I propose removing the cat-heads, and 

 stowing the anchors further aft; which may be effected, in my 

 opinion, with little or no difficulty. 



Viewing it on lever principle, the weight is now at the very 

 extreme end, and the lever in the position *' horizontal" of its 

 greatest power. 



Chapman observes, *' the reason of the pitching and sending 

 motion is easily seen. When a wave has passed the fore- part 

 of the ship, and is got near the middle, there is a great void 

 space under the bows, where the ship is not supported. It 

 precipitates itself, therefore, with a certain momentum, which 

 is the product of the weights in the fore-part, multiplied by 

 their distance from the point where the ship is sufficiently sup- 

 ported. 



*' This kind of motion is greater in ships which are very full 

 near the load-Avater-line fore and aft, and very lean below ; but 

 if the weights in the fore-part are carried nearer the middle, the 

 momentum with which the ship plunges itself in this part will 

 be less ; and not only this motion becomes less quick, but, more- 

 over, the following waves which meet the fore-part of the ship 



