Curvilineal Sterns of Ships. 316 



the bearings of C c and B b may be changed, and an indefinite 

 number of new points determined, between the limits L I and K Jc. 

 Thus the line of fire C c may be altered into that of L I, command- 

 ing in conjunction with the bearing B b the sector / q r, whose an- 

 gle amounts to 53°. Or the direction B b may be transformed into 

 any other, as K k, intersecting the bearing C c when both are pro- 

 duced. 



Any force, therefore, that may be employed in attacking a ship 

 with a curvilineal stern, will meet with a resistance of a much more 

 formidable kind, than if its energies were expended on a square 

 stern. If we compare for example the after broadside-ports of a 

 ship of each sort, we shall observe that, in the old form, the insu- 

 lated fire of a single gun is all the effect that can be produced ; 

 whereas in the curvilineal stern, the gun at the quarter-port can 

 lend the most effectual aid, and by causing different discharges to 

 converge to the same point, dispense a destructive cross-fire over 

 a very considerable range. And this contrast is increased in a still 

 more remarkable degree, when we compare the conditions of the 

 quarters ; since in the new stern, the means of defence, for the same 

 space, are quite equal to those of any other part of the ship, but in 

 the square form vanish altogether. In like manner, if the attack- 

 ing force Avere situated directly a-stern, a much more effectual 

 defence could be created, by means of the former, than could pos- 

 sibly be afforded by the latter, from the great facility it affords in 

 working the guns, and the assistance that may in some cases be 

 obtained from the quarters. 



Hence it appears, that even in a greater arc than a semicircle, 

 may points of cross fire be produced about the curvilineal stern ; 

 thereby throwing around this important part of a ship the energies 

 of a formidable and perfect defence, and produced by means at 

 once practicable and secure ; leaving no point of impunity open to 

 an acute and enterprising enemy, as in the case of the square stern, 

 or any abrupt transition, from a well-defended part, to one feeble 

 and insecure. 



As a more particular reference may be necessary to the positions 

 of the points of cross-fire, the following table has been prepared* 



