266 Col. Beaufoy on the Construction of Vessels. [Oct. 



a complete set of experiments, in all probability, would be 

 attended with most beneficial results for the future construction 

 of ships. 



Let it be borne in mind the sums of money which are year 

 after year laid out to encourage a superiority of far iess moment 

 to the United Kingdom than the excellence of the navy : there 

 are plates, sweepstakes, and purses, for breeding fleet horses ; 

 in a national point of view, it is of little consequence whether 

 the average rate of a racer be 37 or 38 miles in the hour; but 

 widely different is the case, if the sailing of our men of war be 

 increased one knot, or half a knot, in the same space of time. 

 By such improvement an enemy's fleet may be taken, or an 

 isiand captured, or a colony preserved ; and who would not 

 rather read in the Gazette a dispatch from an Admiral, stating 

 that in consequence of the superior sailing of his fleet he had 

 come up with, and captured the enemy, than peruse in the 

 public papers that at Newmarket, or any other celebrated racing 

 ground, after a well contested run, one horse was declared the 

 winner by half a neck, and the prize adjudged accordingly. 



If the union of capacity with quickness of sailing be deemed 

 impracticable, the error of such opinion is fully demonstrated by 

 reference to the engravings accompanying a work on the 

 Elements and Practice of Naval Architecture, by Mr. David 

 Steel ; who there gives the draught of a London trader particu- 

 larly distinguished for capacity and velocity; — a circumstance 

 the more remarkable in a merchantman, as the variety of the 

 cargoes would be tantamount to alteration of stowage ; and 

 consequently if the same vessel, under such circumstances, 

 continues to remain a prime sailor, it is evident this superiority 

 depends on the curves that divide the water. 



Discoveries are continually making in chemistry, magnetism, 

 and galvanism ; improvements are introduced in chronometers, 

 and mathematical instruments ; all these advantages proceed 

 either from experiment or observation, and it only requires the 

 powerful influence of my Lord Melville, to expel, by similar 

 means, the mist that at present envelopes the science of hydro- 

 dynamics ; and to place this neglected branch of knowledge in 

 the elevated situation it so justly merits from its importance to 

 a maritime nation. I remain, 



Dear Sirs, yours very truly, 



Mark Beaufoy. 



