318 MARITIME OBSERVATIONS: 
to ufe planks of half the thicknefs, and lay them double: 
and acrofs each other as in figure 23? To me it feems that 
the difference of expence would not be confiderable, and 
that the fhip would be both tighter and ftronger. 
The fecuring of the fhip is not the only neceflary thing;’ 
fecuring the health of the failors, a brave and valuable or-- 
der of men, is likewife of great importance.. With this 
view the methods fo fuccefsfully practifed by Captain Cook 
in his long voyages, cannot be too clofely: ftudied or care-- 
fully imitated. A full account of thofe methods is found: 
in Sir John Pringle’s fpeech, when the medal of the Royal. 
Society was given to that illuftrious navigator. Tam glad. 
to fee in his laft voyage that he found the means effectual 
which I had propofed tor preferving Hour, bread, &c. from 
moifture and damage. They were found dry and good: 
after being at fea four years.. The method is defcribed in: 
my printed works, page 452, fifth edition. In the fame,. 
page 469, 470, is propofed.a means of allaying thirft in- 
cafe of want of frefh water. ‘This has fince been pratifed 
in two inftances. with fuccefs. Happy if their hunger,. 
when the other provifions are confumed, could be relieved: 
as commodioufly; and perhaps in time this may be found. 
not impoffible. An addition might be made to their pre-- 
fent vegetable provifion, by drying various roots in flices: 
by the means of an oven. The {weet potatoe of Ameri- 
ca and Spain, is excellent for this purpofe. Other po-- 
tatoes, with carrots, parfnips and turnips, might be pre-- 
pared and preferved in the fame manner. 
With regard to make-fhifts in cafes of neceflity, feamen: 
are generally very ingenious themfelves. They will ex- 
cufe however the mention of two or three. If they hap- 
pen in any circumftance, fuch as after fhipwreck, taking 
to their boat, or the like, to want a compafs, a fine few- 
ing-needle laid on clear water in a cup will generally 
point to the north, moft of them being a little magnetical, 
or may be made fo by being ftrongly rubbed or cane 
ed, 
