MEMOIR OF HER MAJESTY'S STEAM SHIP THE MEDEA. 87 



more especially to the machinery of the vertical paddle ; and although the experiment 

 of this vessel fully proved, that the resistance which the paddle-boards afforded, did not prevent 

 her from keeping company with the squadron, and, in some instances beating them, yet it is 

 evident, in making long passages under sail, that it is desirable at least the lower float 

 boards should be removed ; and we have the authority of Captain Ramsay, 1 late commanding 

 Her Majesty's steam vessel Dee, (which vessel is fitted with the old radial wheel,) for stating, 

 that "in common weather the paddle-boards could be shipped in about an hour, and un- 

 shipped or detached in half that time." It was found in the Dee that under canvas, with 

 the paddle-boards removed, her best point of sailing, as compared with other ships, was during 

 light winds ; whereas in the case of the Medea, with the boards in place, the velo- 

 city of the ship in very light airs, being insufficient to overcome the friction of the wheels, 

 they did not revolve, and consequently in most such instances, she was in the rear of 

 the squadron. 



We have no reason to believe, that the floats of Mr. Morgan's vertically acting paddle require 

 a very much longer time for removal, than those of the old construction ; although it is proper 

 to observe, that, if removed, the heavy iron work composing the revolving apparatus would 

 oppose a greater resistance to the ship's progress, than the naked framing of the radial 

 wheel. Still as the Medea's disparity of rate was so small with the boards in place, it is 

 most probable that if they had been removed, she would have been quite as equal to sailing 

 ships in light airs, as she evidently was, (even with their obstruction,) in fresh winds. And 

 as the steam could never be raised from cold water in so short a time as that stated by 

 Captain Ramsay, to be occupied in unshipping the paddle-boards, we might from these 

 premises come to the conclusion, that in all cases when a steam vessel is required to act 

 under sail, the paddles ought to be removed. We are, however, very doubtful, that it would 

 be proper to establish this as a general rule under all circumstances, particularly when the 

 service of the ship is such that she may be required, at the shortest possible notice, to resume 

 her steaming duties. It must be quite obvious to the seaman, that cases may occur in which 

 it would be extremely difficult, if not absolutely impossible, to re-attach the boards ; and 

 whenever the ship has any considerable motion from the waves, it must always be done at 

 some degree of risk to the men employed on the duty; whereas, under similar circumstances, 

 the wheels can always be connected with the engine, in less time than would be occupied in 

 getting up the steam. 



As the vertical paddle is more effectual in propelling, so also it does not offer so much 

 resistance when revolving freely in the water, being easily set in motion when the ship's 

 movement, under the influence of the wind, opposes its surface to the fluid. As the ad- 

 vantages, therefore, of detaching the boards from these wheels, is less than in the old ones, 

 and the difficulties of doing so (though in a very slight degree) greater, 1 the propriety of 

 their removal in all cases becomes more doubtful ; and we are quite sure that the plan would 



1 Vide Nautical Magazine, Jan. 1838, page 49. 



* Captain Ramsay states, in the paper above referred to, that " the Medea, having Morgan's wheels, the removal 

 of the paddle-boards was almost out of the question, as the iron work left would have produced nearly as much 

 resistance." We are induced to attribute his objection as much to the difficulty he conceives attendant on their 

 removal, as to the resistance the iron work affords; it being quite evident, that as the iron work cannot obstruct the 



