330 On the Curvilinear Form 
cular form of the stern, the subject of the means afforded for 
attack or defence in this quarter need not be further insisted 
upon; but a most important port for a gun has been added to 
each deck in the situation that the quarter galleries formerly 
occupied. The necessity of having guns in this place will be 
shewn hereafter by some examples of the want of them in the 
ships built according to the old form; indeed, when an enemy’s 
ship has lain upon the quarters of any vessel, it has technically 
been called the point of impunity, from the circumstance of 
their bringing many guns to bear, and their opponent not being 
able to fire one shot with effect. Sir Robert Seppings has 
stated, in his letter before alluded to, that, according to the pre- 
sent disposition of the ports, ‘“‘ a three-decked ship, if attacked 
abaft, can bring at least ten guns to bear upon her assailant, a 
two-decked ship eight, and a frigate four.” 
In the old sterns the guns on the lower gun-decks could not 
be fired without injury to the ships, from the effects of concus- 
sion on their projecting counters ; and on the other decks the 
breadth of the transoms prevented their being run out suffi- 
ciently, and the height of those beams above the decks hindered 
the guns from being depressed. 
To prove these facts many instances have been adduced, and 
among them that of the masterly retreat of Admiral Cornwallis 
before a French fleet of very superior force; to accomplish this, 
by annoying the enemy, the ships were obliged to be so muti- 
lated in their sterns, in order to be enabled to fire guns right 
aft, that on their arrival in port they had to undergo very 
considerable repairs before they were again considered sea 
worthy. 
Among the many instances on record of the danger arising 
from the want of guns in the quarters of ships, may be cited the 
fact, that Admiral Sir Sidney Smith took his station in Sweedish 
gun-boats, (propelled with oars,) on the quarters of the ships of 
a Russian fleet, and so annoyed them, that they may be said to 
have suffered a defeat, arising from the circumstance of their not 
being able to bring any guns to bear upon those boats. 
The weight of the additional timbers placed in the circular 
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