202 Mr. Harvey on Square and 



derable period it has formed a theme for keen and animated discus- 

 sion, I conceived that an appeal to actual experiment, performed 

 on board two ships of war of the same class, having sterns of the 

 old and new forms, would be likely to throw some light on the 

 question; and perhaps remove some of those erroneous impressions 

 which unquestionably exist, respecting the nature and properties 

 of the curvilineal stern. Accordingly a course of comparative 

 experiments was undertaken, on board the Boadicea and Hama- 

 dryad frigates, being ships of the same rate, each mounting 46 guns, 

 the former having a stern of the old or square form, and the latter 

 one of the new or curvilineal kind. 



In the prosecution of these experiments, I fortunately received the 

 voluntary assistance and advice, of several distinguished naval offi- 

 cers*, who necessarily took an interest in the inquiry ; and who, by 

 particularly attending to the different bearings of the guns, deter- 

 mined in the course of the investigation, and by discussing the merits 

 of each position, with freedom and candour, enabled me ultimately 

 to obtain a series of accurate and important results ; and which will, 

 I trust, place the means of defence afforded by the curvilineal stern, 

 in a striking and imposing point of view, when contrasted with the 

 feeble resistance capable of being afforded by sterns of the ancient 

 formf. This plan of procedure, although necessarily tedious and 

 slow, was, nevertheless, the only one that could be satisfactorily 

 pursued, in order to impart to the experiments all the accuracy 

 desired ; and which should, moreover, enable a fair and an 

 unexceptionable comparison to be made of the means of defence 

 afforded by the two forms. 



In determining the different bearings of the guns, particular care 

 was taken in every instance to prevent their being wooded ; and 



* I record with pleasure the kind assistance I received in particular -from 

 my friend Captain Wise, R.N., both as regards the performance of the expe- 

 riments, and the execution of the various drawings in his Majesty's dock-yard 

 at Plymouth, to illustrate them. 



t The present paper being confined entirely to a consideration of the means 

 of defence afforded by the curvilineal stern, it is my intention to investigate, 

 in another essa)', in what degree the entire frame of a ship is strengthened by 

 this judicious and important improvement. 



