1846.] SAILING QUALITIES. 195 



is situated in Lat. 10 5' 31" S., Long. 96 54' 0" E., 

 Var. 123'W., Dip. -- 38 55'. 



On the evening of the 24th we took our departure for 

 Mauritius, or rather, to search for the Brandon Rocks, 

 reported to have been seen about two degrees to the 

 eastward of the Cargados Garajos, and in the parallel of 

 its centre. With a fine brisk trade we rapidly decreased 

 our distance, at an average of 198 miles per diem, 230 

 being our longest run. As the ' Samarang ' has always 

 been classed as one of the slowest ships, and her previous 

 Captain allowed that she was known to go eleven knots 

 in a Ty-foong, when she lost her topmasts, it will be ap- 

 parent, that with all her mishaps, she improved in her old 

 age. By a standing regulation of the ship, the officers of the 

 watches inserted the greatest velocity during their watch, 

 stating the canvas under which the ship was at the time. 

 If this regulation were adopted in all ships, we should 

 have a series of facts to determine a vessel's sailing 

 qualities, instead of trusting to the opinions and recol- 

 lections of those who have to draw them up " when the 

 document is required." By the record before me, I per- 

 ceive that the c Samarang ' was under single reefed top- 

 sails, royals, port lower, topmast, and topgallant studding- 

 sails, velocity eleven ; under this canvas the studding-sails 

 were taken in, and the ship rounded to, to sound. My 

 nautical readers will therefore understand, that she had 

 not too much canvas to show her cheek to the breeze. 

 On the day following, is recorded, " Ship under double- 

 reefed top-sails, and topgallant-sails, close hauled, 10. G 

 (carrying sail to clear reefs to leeward). I observe that 

 courses have been omitted ; they were set. Now if this 



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