855 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1S05. 



The second excellent property 

 which these vessels possess relates 

 also to their sailing. Their cou- 

 strnction is such as best fits them to 

 resist making leeway ; for the 

 double hull makes double resistance 

 to lateral motion, which is farther 

 increased in such of those vessels as 

 are built like the Gemini, by the 

 flatness of the internal opposite 

 sides, one of which must always be 

 to the leeward in every tack. I his 

 good quality will also enable them 

 to lie closer to the w ind than other 

 Tesseis, by which they can Mork 

 to vrindward better if pursued, and 

 from this circumstance alone escape, 

 when thought fit, in most cases ; 

 while their resistance to leeway 

 enables them to lie close to shore, 

 where other vessels dare not ap- 

 proach without the most imminent 

 danger. 



The third advantage of these 

 vessels is quickness of mancEuvering. 

 This is caused by two circumstances; 

 the first of which is, that, being 

 fornicd to go with cither end fore- 

 most, they can change their tack 

 without going about, by which much 

 time may be saved either in escape 

 or pursuit. The other circumstance 

 depends on the superior power 

 which the helm possesses in these ves- 

 sels, by which they can be put about 

 ■with so much more quickness as to 

 rnn little risk of ever missing stays. 

 This advantage arises from the ccn- 

 tre of motion in these vessels lying 

 in the middle, between the two 

 keels, by which the action of turn- 

 ing round is performed by one ves- 

 sel going for'.vard wi(h more velo- 

 city than (he other, without occa- 

 •foniiig so much lateral vwistance, 

 whereas, in common vessels, the 

 .♦•eiitre of motion being in the ver- 

 ■wral plane of the keel, the laleral 



resistance in going about Avill be the 

 greatest possible. 



The fourth principal advantage 

 of these vessels is, that, from their 

 great steadiness, if used in war, they 

 can direct their guns Mith mor« 

 effect than other vessels of equal 

 burden. 



Fifthly, these vessels would take 

 the ground well, and lie steady and 

 secure, where other vessels would 

 be overset, which renders them very 

 convenient for conveying men or 

 stores to or from shore to larger 

 vessels. 



Sixthly, the great proportional 

 size of their decks gives more room 

 for w orking guns and managing the 

 sails, and enables them to carry mora 

 guns in their bows or sterns, to lise 

 when chasing or pursued, than other 

 vessels. 



It evidently follows, that, from 

 all these good qualities, no vessels 

 can be better calculated for advice- 

 boats, to watch the fleets or coasts 

 of the enemy, and bring back the 

 most speedy intelligence. If a few 

 of these vessels had attended Lord 

 Nelson in his pursuit of the French 

 fleet, there can bei little doubt that 

 the superior advice he would, by 

 their meai-is, have obtained of th« 

 course of the enemy, would have 

 enabled him to come up with thcni. 

 And as the French have now be- 

 come adepts in the art of escaping, 

 the adoption of vessels which would 

 so much facilitate the means of ob- 

 taining iatt'lligence of their mo- 

 tions, would be without doubt one 

 of the most valuaiilc additions which 

 could be made to the naval equip- 

 ment of this udliofi. 



Vessels of this construction will 

 also be most admirably calculated 

 for privateers to cruise against th« 

 euemvj and for revenue cruizers. 



ffkeugk 



