236 Capt. M'^Konochie on the most effective Employment 



II. 1. Wherever great speed is required, this plan does not seem advanta- 

 geous ; because it is impossible to conceive that, under any circumstances, a 

 steam-boat should be able to tow another vessel, of equal or superior size to 

 herself, as fast as she could go, were she altogether unincumbered. It is par- 

 ticularly to be observed, however, that great speed is in every case incompa- 

 tible with minute economy, and is therefore never a first object in mercantile 

 communication. The most effective pace of a horse is about five miles an 

 hour, and within this accordingly (considerably within it if heavily laden) 

 carts and waggons are chiefly limited. Merchant vessels are not in general 

 constructed with even the regard to speed which is requisite for safety. And 

 in steiun navigation, the expence at which alone speed can be purchased is 

 very striking indeed, it having been found that, if a power of twenty horses 

 gives four miles an hour, it will require one of eighty horses to double this 

 rate, of a hundred and eighty to treble it, and scarcely any power whatever 

 will materially exceed this limit. Under no circumstances, therefore, and by 

 no means, is it probable that a very quick transit of heavy goods can be given, 

 consistently with the economy which, at the present moment especially, seems 

 indispensable in mercantile transactions. 



2. A very good average speed, however, four, five, or six knots an hour, 

 for example, as may be found on trial to give the most beneficial effect, may 

 certainly be commanded in this way ; and, to this, the peculiar build pro- 

 posed to be given to the vessels employed, will in no small degree contribute. 

 The form is not the best for extreme speed, the result of the experiments al- 

 ready alluded to in America giving another shape for that purpose ; but that, 

 at a moderate pace, which shall give the water impinged on time to disperse, 

 mere form is comparatively unimportant, and weight and draught of water are 

 almost the sole considerations, many facts lead us strongly to infer. A squarer 

 plank is more easily impelled lying flat on the water, than when made to 

 swim edge-wise. The least impulse in the world will move a skimming dish. 

 And light merchant vessels all sail nearly alike, and all moderately well, right 

 before the wind ; and steam-power is always a fair wind. 



3. A good moderate pace being then certain, it is next to be observed, that it 

 will not be much affected, upon this plan, by adverse circumstances ; and that 

 incomparably greater punctuality will be thus attained in the transmission a£ 

 goods, than is at present possessed. The power here proposed to be employed 

 is variable, according to circumstances. As just remarked, it is always fair; 

 the vessels in which it is embarked are peculiarly buoyant ; the uniform distri- 

 bution of the dead weight on board of them will make them easy in a sea ; and 

 the craft astern, being without masts, or long lever of any kind, by which 

 wind can be held, and being close up under the lee of their tugs, and in their 

 smooth wake, the task of towing them can never be excessive. At all events, 

 the uncertainty which may thus still remain, can be as nothing compared to 

 that under which goods are shipped in ordinary traders ; and in a credit trade 

 particularly, punctuality in the delivery of consignments on the faith of which 

 bills are immediately drawn, must be a first consideration. 



4. There would also be great safety in this mode of transit, compared with 

 what is afforded by merchant vessels of the usual construction, the smaller 

 classes of which, indeed, are in this country, from a variety of causes, the 



