t 267 3 



XLIX. Description of a Capstan, ivhich ivorks without re- 

 quiring the Messenger or Cable coiled round it to lie ever 

 surged. By J. Whitley Boswell, Esq.* 



SIR, 



X REauEST you will lay before the Society of Arts, &c. 

 the model of a capstan contrived by me, which works with- 

 out requiring the messenger or cable coiled round it to he 

 ever surged, an operation necessary with common capstans, 

 which is always attended with delav, and frequently with 

 danger. Capstans of this kind can be made by a common 

 shipwright, and would not be liable to be put out of order. 

 They also would not occasion any additional friction or 

 wear to the messenger or cable, in which particulars they 

 would be superior to the other contrivance hitherto brought 

 forward for the same purpose ; they also would much facili- 

 tate the holding on. 



The great loss. of time and great trouble which always at- 

 tend applications to the navy board, prevent my attempting 

 to bring the matter before the public through that channel, 

 though I have had the most unequivocal approbation of the 

 capstan from the two gentlemen of that board best qualified 

 t-o judge of it. I mention this, lest it might be thoutrht 

 that my not applying there first was from any doubt of the 

 goodness of the invention. If the society should approve 

 of the capstan, I will draw up a more minute acco.int of it 

 fbr publication. I am, sir, your very humble servant, 



Hatton G:irden, J. \V. BOSWELL. 



October i>9, 1 800. 



To C. Taylor, M.D. Sec. 



SIR, 



I HAVE examined your model of a capstan, which is cal- 

 culated to prevent the surging of the messenger when heav- 



* From Transaclions ttf the Sncichj for the Encouragement of Arts, Manu- 

 factures, and Commerce, for 1807. The gold medal of the Society was 



voted to Mr. BoswcU for this invention, 



inff 



