of Ships and Vessels, 32d 



into effect, there would be no necessity for extending the stow- 

 age of the ballast to the after extremity, as is too often the 

 case. 



In the Cruizer, '^eighteen gun-brig," we were obliged to stow 

 ballast in the bread-room — the case I believe in most of the 

 brigs ; which would not have been requisite had the anchors and 

 coal-holes been removed further aft. Since which I believe some 

 alteration has been made in the store-rooms ; but if weight has 

 been reduced in the fore extremity by that means, it has been 

 increased again by the addition of a heavy forecastle, which 

 also considerably increases the top weight, Poops and quarter 

 boats have followed the fore-castles ; and to the little ten gun- 

 brigs, all this additional top weight has been added — even a 

 cutter of one hundred and twenty tons follows the rage for 

 carrying quarter boats. 



I must repeat an observation of Professor Inman's, as it is 

 most applicable to the point in question : — 



" It may be observed, generally, that it is advantageous to 

 give the projected ship the requisite stability with as little 

 ballast as possible, by which means a constructor is enabled to 

 reduce the displacement or magnitude of the body under water, 

 a circumstance very favourable to a ship in sailing and work- 

 ing. With a similar view every weight put on board, and 

 reckoned in getting the displacement, should be kept as low 

 as possible. No useless baggage or weights of any kind should 

 be put on board on any account whatever." 



Every one who can agree with Professor Inman, must corr- 

 demn the system of adding so much top and overhanging 

 weight. 



Fore-castles were first fitted by the captains, were very 

 light, and could not have caused much impediment to the 

 vessels sailing; but the heavy way they are now fitted, many 

 with heavy bulwarks above them, and other additions which 

 have succeeded, must be materially felt. 



I may be told the quarter-boats are of a light description ; 

 but when every common sailor will admit a jacket hung in the 

 rigging to be an impediment to sailing on a wind, I say it is 

 inconsistent to carry quarter-boats in such small vessels. But 



