NAVIGATION. 129 



The Dry Rot. 



The spaces between the frame timbers are now 

 filled up with prepared cement, which renders the 

 lower part of the ship (the floor) one solid mass, 

 possessing the strength and consistence of a rock. 

 Formerly these intervals were receptacles for every 

 description of filth, mixed up with dead rats, mice, 

 cock-roaches, and other vermin, causing an intole- 

 rable stench, and promoting the decay of the tim- 

 bers. 



By stuffing masses of the above cement between 

 the timbers, and then injecting by forcing-pumps a 

 mixture of oil and tar into all the joints and crevices 

 of the frame of a ship, and by increased care and at- 

 tention, the dry rot may be said to have no longer 

 any existence in the British navy. 



A new ship built of green timber, and sent to 

 Petersburgh for a cargo of hemp, will become com- 

 pletely rotten in a couple of voyages ; whereas the 

 same ship, if employed in carrying coal and lime, 

 would probably last half a century. 



British Navy. 



In 1821, the number of ships and vessels of every 

 description in commission, in ordinary, building, re- 

 pairing, and ordered to be built, had been reduced 

 to 609 sail. 



The number of seamen and marines voted in 1822, 

 was 21,000. 



The total expense of the navy in the middle of the 

 late war was about 18,000,000/. 



In 1822, it was about 5,000,000/. 



Starboard and Larboard Tacks. 



The law, as declared by the Court of Admiralty, 

 is, that the vessel on the starboard tack is to keep 

 her wind ; and the vessel on the larboard tack 

 K 



