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ANNALS 



OF 



PHILOSOPHY. 



SEPTEMBER, 1825. 



Article I. 



On Naval Improvement. By Col. Beaufoy, FRS. 

 (To the Editors of the Annals of Fhilosophy.) 



GENTLEMEN, Bushey Heathy near Stanmore, Aug. 1, 1825. 



The building of three experimental vessels for the improve- 

 ment of naval architecture; having excited much attention in the 

 public mind, not only from the peculiarly interesting nature of 

 the science under inquiry, but from the professional abilities of 

 the different projectors, the individual success of each ship has 

 been observed with an anxiety commensurate with the import- 

 ance of the object in view. 



If, notwithstanding the skill of the constructors, neither of 

 these men of war showed decided superiority in sailing, the 

 failure must be attributed to our ignorance of the resistance 

 bodies meet with when opposed to the impulse of water. Our 

 ' knowledge of this branch of physics is nearly as limited as our 

 acquaintance with the laws which govern the motion of the 

 fixed stars ; but here the parallel must end : the accumulated 

 industry of ages alone will probably detect the cause which 

 produces change of place amongst these heavenly bodies, 

 whereas the advancement of hydrodynamics is within the influence 

 of the present generation. 



If strength, durability, and efficiency, be all that is required 

 in our floating fortresses, these characteristics have already 

 been combined by the talent of Sir Robert Seppings. 



It appears that much uncertainty existed in the sailing of the 

 experimental vessels : sometimes one had the advantage, some- 

 times another ; the distinction resting mainly on the quantity 

 aiid stowage of the ballast, alterations in the masts, yards, &c. 

 The requisiteness of these changes is a proof that the highest 

 genius is incapable of correctly anticipating either the qualities 

 or the sailing powers of a ship prior to her going to sea. 



New Series, vol. x. m 



