218 Mr. Harvey on Square and 



side of the ship, and also in the same degree. A fore-and-aft 

 view is given in Fig. 6. 



With the quarter-gun of the new form, no comparison can be 

 made with the square stern ; but by a reference to Fig. 7, which 

 represents a view of the quarter-port of the Hamadryad, the pro- 

 jection being square from the side of the ship, and the gun run out 

 as far as possible, it will be perceived that it possesses all the 

 advantages of a broadside-port, the only difference being a rather 

 less projection of the muzzle, in consequence of the quarter being 

 nearly perpendicular, and not falling in, as is the case at the broad- 

 side. Any explosion must therefore pass clear of the side of the 

 vessel, with nearly the same security as if the gun were placed at 

 a broadside-port. 



Among the objections that have been urged against the adop- 

 tion of the curvilineal stern, is the apparently-formidable one, that 

 a broadside-port has been lost on each side of every ship to which 

 it has been applied. After a careful examination, however, of 

 this objection, with respect to the Hamadryad, I feel no hesitation 

 in stating, that so far from this being the case, it will not be extra- 

 vagant to assert, that one has actually been gained on each side 

 by means of the quarter-port. 



To demonstrate this, let a reference be made to the line of fire 

 LZ, Fig. 2, Plate HI., and by which it will appear, that the quarter- 

 port may be readily and satisfactorily employed as a broadside- 

 port :— nfor since it was found possible, by the naval gentlemen 

 who assisted in the experiments, to train the gun at the quarter- 

 port into the direction Cc, forming an angle of 12° before the 

 beam, with much greater ease would it be possible to work it in 

 the line of bearing U,, on the beam. This circumstance adds 

 therefore, to the ordinary and essential uses[of the quarter-port, the 

 additional advantage of being effectually employed, when occasion 

 requires, in aiding the defence of the broadside. 



Nor should it at anytime be forgotten, that the facility with which 

 all the guns can be worked in the curvilinear stern, for the differ- 

 ent points of bearing before described, and the total absence of all 

 the timbers and other obstacles which, in the square stern, occasion 



