264 Description of a secure Boat, or Life Boat. 



of six feet, but as the resistance of the water upwards equal 

 to a boat of eight feet wide. 



Or I may make this mechanical simile : Suppose a work- 

 man uses a chisel to smooth a surface of wood; by laying 

 too oreat a stress on the tool it will go too far into the wood 

 for him to force it along in the direction wanted, but put 

 that chisel into a stock like a plane-stock, and set it to the 

 depth required, then the stock will prevent its going too far 

 in, and he can work easily though the plane be pressed on 

 ever so hard. A view of the engraving will elucidate that 

 comparison, as the balance bodies lie parallel with the sur- 

 face of the water lengthways. The national importance of 

 such boats I leave to the public to decide. I must here 

 observe, that my plan contains two distinct and separate 

 improvements, viz. my neutral mode of building, and the 

 application of the balance bodies. 



The first Improvem'&nt relates to the luilding of boats, 

 barges, &c. in general. The second is only partial, and 

 applicable to boats of peculiar descriptions or uses ; that is, 

 all such as are wanted for dispatch, safety, or pleasure, or 

 occasionally for life-boats, as there can be no question of 

 the self-balanced boats built upon my plan, rowing and 

 sailing faster than other boats, and they may be used to go 

 to sea when others cannot ; but the application of the ba- 

 lance bodies is not meant as a general one, as it is not fit 

 for vessels of burden that are sometimes light and at others 

 heavy laden, when the difference of the draught of water is 

 considerable. 



Christopher Wilson. 



Certificate. — We whose names are hereunto subscribed 

 have examined the boat building on Mr. Wilson's plan, 

 (which he calls the neutral plan,) and are of opinion that it 

 will be attended with many advantages. 



The boats can be built as light as those that are clincher- 

 built, preserving a smooth surface, and will not require 

 caulking; and they can be easily repaired by any carpenter. 



The advantage this boat possesses by having air gunwales 

 is obvious, and from the partial trial we have had of the 

 boat's sailing which he has altered, we are of opinion that 



his 



