Variation of Stability with Draught of Water in Ships. 205 



Victoria (Queen) Alcnne Pagine dal Giornale della Vita di S.M. la 

 Regina Vittoria nell'Alta Scozia (1862-82). Traduzione di 

 V. Brandi. 8vo. Firenze 1884. The Translator. 



Weyrauch (Jacob J.) Theorie Elastiscber Korper. 8vo. Leipzig 

 1884. The Author. 



Anonymous. Die Meteoriten-Kreisreihen als Erzeuger der Kometen, 

 Sonnenflecke u.s.w. 8vo. 



Copy in Bronze of the Sylvester Medal published by the Johns 

 Hopkins University, Baltimore. 



" The Variation of Stability with Draught of Water in 

 Ships." By F. ELGAR, Professor of Naval Architecture in 

 the University of Glasgow. Communicated by Professor 

 Sir WILLIAM THOMSON, F.R.S. Received March 6, 1884. 

 Read March 13. 



Of all the properties possessed by a ship none is more vital to her 

 safety and efficiency than that of stability. At the same time none is 

 dependent for its existence and amount upon so many, or such diverse 

 and variable, circumstances as it. The stability of a ship is regulated 

 and determined by her outward size and shape, and also by the separate 

 amounts and positions of all the weights that go to make up her 

 structure, equipment, and loading. No change of any kind can be 

 made in dimensions or form, or in the quantities or distribution of 

 the various items of equipment, stores, or cargo without affecting 

 stability. It is, of course, essential to the safety of every vessel that 

 her stability should not become reduced during all the changing 

 conditions of her employment and career below a certain definite 

 amount. The result of neglect in this respect may be a dangerous 

 inclination or complete capsize when nnlooked for, or exceptionally 

 trying, emergencies occur. Deficient stability, whether caused by 

 faulty design or stowage, may admit of a vessel being suddenly 

 capsized by the action of the wind and waves, or of her being forcibly 

 heeled to a dangerous angle of inclination by the shifting of some of 

 her internal weights, such as coals or cargo. Although in every 

 vessel there is a minimum limit below which it is not prudent or 

 safe to diminish the stability, it does not follow that this limit is the 

 same or similar in character in all sizes and types of ships. 



It is not only necessary to guard against the stability of a ship 

 becoming reduced below a safe minimum amount, but there is also a 

 maximum limit which it should not be allowed to exceed. Excessive 



