20 Naval Architecture and 



further proof of the lamentable comparative state of our 

 shipping, and our deficiency of knowledge in the prin- 

 ciples of the art. '* The Victory is one of the most perfect 

 vessels, of her size, we ever had ; but we have unfortunately 

 failed in our attempts to produce one exactly similar to her. 

 The Boyne was so intended, but, on being launched, was 

 discovered to be two feet narrower on the quarter-deck, and 

 found to sail wretchedly.''* 



It is unnecessar}^ further to point out our degrading 

 inferiority. The cause of this is plain ; the nautical arts 

 and sciences have been less cultivated in this country than in 

 any maritime nation in the world. By the wise encourage- 

 ment of talent, foreign nations have produced men learned 

 in the art, and distinguished by their scientific acquire- 

 ments*. It is not, therefore, matter of surprise, that the 

 nation at large, and the navy in particular, have been loud 

 in their complaints on the subject. The evil was in con- 

 sequence remedied in part, by following the foreign nations 

 closely in their models, for which we have been indebted to 

 the unrivalled intrepidity of our sailors, who have captured 

 their vessels; but this uncertain expedient has necessarily 

 been accompanied with detracting attendants : our enemies 

 have in the mean time improved on their models ; and thus, 

 with all the expense of dispensing with badly-constructed 

 vessels, we have constantly been inferior to foreigners in the 

 qualities of our warlike navy. 



This exasperating deficiency, which has been so often 

 reiterated throughout the nation, excited the ardent at- 

 tention of many public-spirited noblemen, who proposed 

 the formation of a " Society for the Improvement of 

 Naval Architecture ;" accordingly, a public meeting was 

 convened at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, on the 14th 

 of April, 1791, at which the late Marquis of Hastings 

 presided. The institution was unanimously established and 

 supported by numerous noblemen and gentlemen ; among 

 whom were. His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, 

 Earl Stanhope, Lord Mulgrave, Sir Joseph Banks, Sir 

 Charles Middleton, and Dr. Hutton. They all agreed to 

 a resolution — *' That the theory and art of ship- building 

 being objects of the first magnitude and importance to 

 these kingdoms, and not so well understood in this country 

 as matters of so much consequence deserve, a remedy 



* When a bridge, or other national edifice, is contemplated, many 

 hundred pounds are given for plan and estimates; but how contrary is 

 the practice in ship-building 1 



