302 MARITIME OBSERVATIONS: 
the others are not affected by it; and though that cham=- 
ber fhould fill to a level with the fea, it would not be fuf-- 
ficient to fink the veflel.. We have not imitated this prac-- 
tice. Some little difadvantage it might occafion in the 
ftowage is perhaps one reafon, though that I think might 
be more than compenfated by an abatement in the infu-. 
rance that would be reafonable, and by a higher price 
taken of paffengers, who.would rather prefer going in fuch 
a vefiel. But our feafaring people are brave, defpife dan- 
ger, and reject fuch precautions of fafety, being cowards: 
only in one fenfe, that of fearing to be thought afraid. 
I promifed to finifh my letter with the laft obfervation, 
but the garrulity of the old man has got hold of me, and 
as I may never have another occafion of writing on. this 
fubje&t, I think I may as well now, once for all, empty 
my nautical budget, and give you all the thoughts that 
have in my various long voyages occurred to me relating 
to navigation. Jam fure that in you they will meet with. 
a candid judge, who will excufe my miftakes on account 
of my good intention. 
There are fix accidents that may occafion the lofs of 
fhips at fea. We have confidered one of them, that of 
foundering by a leak. The other five are, 1. Overfetting: 
by fudden flaws of wind, or by carrying fail beyond the 
bearing. 2. Fire by accident or careleffnefs. 3. A heavy 
ftroke of lightning, making a breach: in the fhip, or 
firing the powder. 4. Meeting and fhocking with other 
fhips in the night. 5. Meeting in the night with iflands 
of ice. 
To that of overfetting, privateers. in their firft cruize 
have, as far as has fallen within my knowledge or infor- 
mation, been more fubject than any other kind of veflels.. 
The double defire of being able to overtake a weaker flying 
enemy, or to e{cape when purfued bya ftronger, has induced 
the owners to overmatt their cruizers, and to fpread too 
much canvas; and the great number of men, many of 
them 
