8 Proceedings. 



with a self-righting lifeboat of similar size. These lifeboats, 

 with several others representing various approved types, are 

 to be subjected to exhaustive practical trials early next 

 year ; and it is confidently hoped that, as the result 

 of these practical experiments, a very superior type 

 of lifeboat may soon be available. It has been often 

 erroneously stated on behalf of the self-righting 

 boats, that the elements which give the self-righting 

 power also add to the working stability and safety of a 

 boat ; but the contrary may be proved point by point — 

 thus : — ist. The high end-air-cases are the essential feature 

 of all self-righting boats. They seriously hinder progress 

 to windward, either under sails or oars, by enlarging the 

 total end-area. They increase the liability to being cap- 

 sized by increasing the side area exposed to the waves. 

 They also hinder the access to stem and stern, and unduly 

 restrict the space available for the crew and passengers. 

 On the other hand, it must be conceded that they protect 

 the crew from a head sea. 2nd. It is requisite that a self- 

 righting lifeboat be only lightly loaded in proportion to its 

 effective buoyancy. This reduces the momentum of the 

 boat in proportion to its end area, rendering it less capable 

 of holding way through the waves, and also causing it to 

 drift more to leeward when across the wind. The reduced 

 weight in proportion to bulk, like reduced specific gravity, 

 renders the boat more liable to capsize from the violent 

 movements of the waves. On the other hand, this increased 

 buoyancy tends to ride over, rather than to dash 

 through, the wave crests ; and thereby to keep the 

 crew somewhat less wet. 3rd. The cross-sectional 

 form of a self-righting boat must be something like 

 that of a barrel, and so restricted in breadth that 

 for all angles the meta-centre shall be above the centre 

 of gravity ; resulting in the meta-centric curve not sur- 

 rounding the centre of gravity when delineated on the 



