MARITIME OBSERVATIONS. 9 311 
To prevent this driving to leeward in deep water, a 
{wimming anchor is wanting, which ought to have thefe 
properties. 
1. It fhould have a furface fo large as being at the end 
ef a haufer in the water, and placed perpendicularly, 
fhould hold fo much of it, as to bring the fhip’s head to 
the wind, in which fituation the wind has lea{t power to 
drive her. 
2. It fhould be able by its refiftance to prevent the fhip’s 
receiving way. 
3. It fhould be capable of being fituated below the heave 
of the fea, but not below the undertow. 
4. It fhould not take up much room in the fhip. 
5. It fhould be eafily thrown out, and put into its pro- 
per fituation. 
6. It fhould be eafy to take in again, and flow away. 
An ingenious old mariner whom I formerly knew, pro- 
pofed as a fwimming anchor fora large fhip to have a item 
of wood twenty-five feet long and four inches fquare, with 
four boards of 18, 16, 14, and 12, feet long, and one foot 
wide, the boards to have their fubftance thickened feveral 
inches in the middle by additional wood, and to have each 
a four inch fquare hole through its middle, to permit its 
being flipt on occafionally upon the ftem, and at right 
angles with it; where all being placed and fixed at four 
feet diftance from each other, it would have the appear- 
ance of the old mathematical inftrument called a foreftaff. 
This thrown into the fea, and held by a haufer veered out 
to fome length, he conceived would bring a veffel up, and 
prevent her driving, and when taken in might be ftowed 
away by feparating the boards from the ftem. Figure 15. 
Probably fuch a {wimming anchor would have fome good 
effect, but it is fubje& to this objection, that lying on the 
furface of the fea, itis liable to be hove forward by every 
wave, and thereby give fo much leave for the fhip to 
drive. 
Rr2 Two 
