324 On the Stowage and Sailing 



the constructor may take, from the imperfection of the theory 

 of resistances, or from some other unknown causes, it is possible 

 that a ship, on going to sea, will not be found to have the 

 point of sail exactly adjusted to the mean resistance. In this 

 case nothing can be done except by altering the masting, for 

 effecting which, if possible, every practical facility should in 

 the first place be left in the building, or by bringing the ship 

 more by the head or stern ; thus adjusting the seat of the ship 

 in the water to the masting, as it is." 



By which it appears there is no rule which can be strictly 

 depended on, to calculate a correct proportion for the masts or 

 their positions. 



Many of our ships of the same class and computed tonnage 

 differ in the formation of their bottoms ; it also frequently hap- 

 pens that one ship shews greater stability under sail than 

 another ; and that, with the same quantity of provisions and 

 stores, one is deeper immersed in the water than another. The 

 only supposition to be drawn from it is, that they have the same 

 proportion of masts and ballast. 



If the supposition be admitted, it appears to me very erro- 

 neous, and that ships, though of the same computed tonnage, 

 differing in the formation of their bottoms, ought not, as an 

 established rule, to have the same proportion of masts and 

 ballast. 



If one has less displacement than another, she will have less 

 capacity in the hold ; consequently, will not stow so much, or 

 require so great a -weight to immerse her so deep in the water. 

 It therefore appears most natural she should have a less pro- 

 portion of masts. 



As well as what Chapman and Professor Inman observes, 

 respecting the proportions for and positions of the masts, it 

 may be supposed, from the many alterations which have been 

 made in the masts of our experimental ships, there is no rule 

 to be depended on. And as Chapman observes, " we may 

 compare plans of ships and of their rigging, &c.," which I 

 have quoted before. 



That such would be the most correct method to ascertain a 

 true proportion there can be little doubt ; but it appears to me 

 no just conclusion can be made as to the proper proportion of 



