26s Description of a Capstan. 



ing in the cable : it certainly possesses great merit, and the 

 idea to me is quite new. I am, sir, your humble servant, 



William Rule. 



Somerset-place, 

 November If), 1806". 



To Mr, BoswELL. 



SIR, 



According to your debire, I transcribe the part of the 

 letter from Mr. Pcake (surveyor of the navy) to me, which 

 relates to the capstan laid before the society. 



Extract of a Letter from Henry Peake, Esq. 



*' With recard to your ideas on the capstan, I have tried 

 all I can to find some objection to it, but confess I hitherto 

 have been foiled, and shall more readily forward it, if it was 

 only to supersede a plan now creeping into the service, more 

 expensive, and much worse than one lately exploded." 



As you and the members of the committee have seen the 

 letter, I imagine further attestation needless relative to it. 



I request you will mention, that all friction of the revo- 

 lutions of the cable (or messenger) in passing each other 

 between the barrels of the capstan, must be effectually pre- 

 vented by the whole thickness of one of the rings that passes 

 betwixt each crossing. I add this, because one of the gen- 

 tlemen of the committee wished to be informed on this point. 

 I am, sir, your very respectful humble servant, 



J. W. BoSWELL. 



Hatton Garden, 

 November l-'G, 180fi. 



To C. TavloHj M.D. Sec, 



SIR, 



In obedience to your intimation, that a written explana- 

 tion of the advantages to be obtained by the use of capstans 

 made according to the model which I laid before the So- 

 ciety for the Encouragement of Arts, Zic. would be accep- 

 table, I send the following, whigh I hope will make the 

 ^ubiepl sufRciJUtly clear. 



As 



