326 On the Curvilinear Form 
ners. The shape of these sterns admitted of four guns of large 
calibre, being fired right aft. We learn from the picture pre- 
served in the Society of Antiquaries, of the embarkation of 
Henry VIII. at Dover, in the year 1520, (which, no doubt, 
was painted at the time, but has been incorrectly ascribed to the 
pencil of Holbein,) that ships at that period had neither stern- 
walks, balconies, nor quarter galleries, nor is there represented 
the convenience of a water-closet abaft, even in the ship occu- 
pied by His Majesty ; and but one only in the squadron, which 
is in a ship bearing the royal standard, and which it is evident, 
from the colouring, was an appendage for the occasion, and 
probably put up for the accommodation of the Queen of Eng- 
land, and her court, The sterns of these ships were, no doubt, 
formed by several beams of considerable dimensions, called 
transoms, lying horizontally, and attached to their frames or 
ribs, by large crooked pieces of timber called knees; these, it 
would seem, prevented the working of the guns in the quarters 
to any effect. 
In the beginning of the 17th century our ships of war were 
much improved, not only by an increase of their dimensions, but 
also by the application of science to the construction of their 
bodies ; fortunately this opinion does not rest upon mere specu- 
lation, Sir Robert Seppings having in his possession a complete 
draught of the Sovereign, launched in the year 1637. This 
ship was designed by Mr. Phineas Pett, to whose memory the 
civil departments of the navy owe much for his scientific know- 
ledge and judicious arrangements: this, then, may be regarded 
as the era when the body of a ship was constructed upon scien- 
tific principles. It appears that Mr. Pett had, previously to 
his becoming a naval architect, taken the degree of Master of 
Arts, at the University of Cambridge; and the excellency of 
this drawing, and the wide range of improvement in a short 
period, shew the great advantages that are derived by a com- 
bination of mathematical learning, with practical architecture. 
The stern of the Sovereign is improved by being rounded below 
and a little above the seat of water; she had five tcansoms, 
and stern and quarter galleries, or balconies; her crasght of 
a 
