C 259 ] 



XLVIII. Description of Mr. Christopher Wilson's 

 secure Boat, or Life Boat*. 



TT '^^' 



XJ.EREWITH you will receive drawings of a neutral-built 



self-balanced boat, with an explanation, which I request 

 you will have the goodness to lay before the Society for the 

 Encouragement of Arts, &c. for their inspection and ap- 

 probation. I have made the explanation as clear as I can. 

 Its construction will obviate the danger of its being overset 

 by persons crowding on one side in getting in or out of the 

 beat J it will facilitate the landing of men on shore or in 

 boarding ships, and will carry a much greater press of sail 

 without danger. 



As to the building part, I think that may be easily un- 

 derstood. My boat was made by men that had never before 

 seen a boat built, and I flatter myself the Society will ap- 

 prove of it. lam, sir, your_ most obedient servant, 



Christopher Wilson, 



March 10, IPOG. ' 



To C. Taylor, M.D. Sec. 



An Explanation of the Engrav'utgs of a yieulral-luUt self' 

 balanced Boat. 



By the term neutral "is meant, wliat is neither of the two 

 present modes now in use, i.e. clincher and carver,, but 

 both united, viz. clincher in the inside and carver on the 

 outside, which neutralizes both the two into a third ; and 

 as every thinac has a distinguishing name, 1 have taken the 

 liberty to present it to the public under the name of a 

 Neutral Boat. 



The two modes of clincher- and carver-built have each 

 their separate advantages and disadvantages in regard to each 

 other. 



I shall begin with the clincher first. As the sides of the 

 planks are firmly fastened to each other, by lapping over 

 and riveting, they are much stronger than if the edges only 



* From Tninsaclions of ihe Society Jiir l)i£ Kiicoumi^cmenl i>f /Iris, MamifiiC' 



tires, and Coviwrce, for 1807. The gold medal of the Society was voted 



to Mr. Wilson for this invention. 



R 2 butted. 



