Curvilineal Sterns of Skips. 213 



Having ascertained the effects capable of being produced by the 

 separate actions of the guns, it will be necessary, in the next place, 

 to consider, as in the case of the square stern, the advantages likely 

 to result from their combined application. 



In the first place, it may be remarked, that the points of cross- 

 fire are much more numerous than in the case of the square 

 stern ; and moreover, that they may be increased ad libitum, by 

 varying the bearings of the guns, and vyhich the very convenient 

 form of the stern will permit to be done, with so much ease and 

 convenience. 



In the next place, it may be observed, that the close approxima- 

 tion of the same points to the parts of the vessel from which the 

 lines of fire issue, is worthy of particular observation. The after 

 broadside-port, for example, may be made to cross its fire with the 

 gun in the quarter-port, at the point n, Fig 2, Plate III, being little 

 more than two thirds of a fathom, from the side of the vessel; — 

 thereby subjecting every part of the sectorial space nop, con- 

 taining an angle of 66°, and consequently the space beyond it, to 

 the galling action of a cross-fire. In like manner, with the stern 

 and quarter guns, it is possible to make the lines of fire intersect 

 each other at d e, the distance being less than two fathoms from 

 the quarter of the ship ; and therefore exposing every part of the 

 sector d i s, whose angle is 3H°, and the space beyond it, to the 

 operation of a cross-fire, at all distances between the utmost range 

 of the gun, and the point of intersection last alluded to. The close 

 approach of these points to the side and quarter of the vessel, was 

 such as to excite the surprise of all who witnessed the experiment. 

 In a cross-fire proceeding from the stern-ports, the superiority was 

 equally apparent ; the point of intersection F, being found within 

 a fathom of the stern-frame, and the sector F m m containing an 

 angle of 60°, every part of which was completely commanded. 



A more striking example of the advantage which the curvilineal 

 stern affords, for producing points of cross-fire, may however be 

 exemplified, when a ship of this kind is attacked on her quarter. 

 In such a case, the lines of fire proceeding from the after broad- 

 side-port, and from the adjacent quarter and stern ports, may all 



