[ 24 ] 



this proportion. The advantage of performing three voyages 

 in the ufual time of two, or even fuppofe five in the time of 

 four, need not be ftated ; nor need that which would refuk, in 

 the feafon of tempeft, from reducing the length of time in 

 which fliips are expofed to danger, or in time of war from 

 rendering them capable of evading purfuit. 



The conflrudlion of veffels employed in carrying mails be- 

 tween Dublin and Holyhead I conceive to be nearly as defe(5live 

 as that of merchant fliips, which their hulls in a great mea- 

 fure referable, although they are built exprefsly for fpeed and 

 accommodation, and not burden. But indeed burden they do 

 carry ; for, from their deep form, they require an abfolute 

 loading of ballafl to prevent them from overfetting ; and their 

 draught of water is fuch, although fmall veffels, that they can 

 float on the Dublin Bar only at a particular time of tide, by 

 which fair winds are frequently miflTed, and the paflTage from 

 England unneceflarily prolonged. From their want of length 

 and exceflive depth they are fuch flow failers, that the Favourite, 

 a light long veflTel, fitted out by private individuals, has made 

 her paflage to Holyhead in nine hours, when two packets, 

 which weighed anchor when flie did, took twelve to perform 

 theirs. 



In determining the moft; proper confl;ru6lion for thefe, or 

 indeed any other fea veflels, it fliould be confidered that the 

 greater the length the lefs depth will be neceflTary to prevent 

 lee way ; and that the greater the bi-eadth, the more fail may 



be 



