150 farmers' and mechanics' journal. 



most celebrated mechanics, all of whom concur with me in the 

 opinion, that a change may be made in the manner of constructing 

 our ships, without the least risk of impairing their strength ; for, 

 although there will be a much smaller quantity of materials em- 

 ployed than in those heretofore built, yet, from the combination of 

 these materials, the ships will be stronger than when, as now, load- 

 ed with metals and timbers, which rot in a few years. This super- 

 abundance of metal and timber occasions ships to swim loo deep, 

 and in a great measure destroys the invaluable quality of buoy- 

 ancy ; while the unnecessary precaution of close ceiling ships, with 

 a view of giving to them additional strength, is, I again urge, one 

 of the principal causes of their rapid decay.* 



" A very important advantage would accrue to the merchant 

 service, from the proposed change in the construction of ships, 

 whereby a free ventilation would be afforded to the cargoes, which, 

 especially when in bulk, or composed of articles making close 

 stowage, are liable to great damage from being over-heated. This 

 evil is almost inseparable from a tight ship, which, as before ob- 

 served, generates a foul air, destructive to every thing that comes 

 in contact with it ; and it has been distinctly ascertained, that less 

 injury would be done to cargoes of grain, and other articles stowed 

 in bulk, in leaky than in tight ships ; the latter not being so sus- 

 ceptible of ventilation. A great benefit would also result to the 

 creivs, from the better state of preservation in which the provisions 

 of ships would be kej)t, by this improvement in their ventilation. 



" Formerly when ships were built in Virginia, (for the merchant 

 service,) of the common oak of the countrj', and not so closely 

 connected in their timbers or ceiling as at present, it was not un- 

 common to see them from sixteen to twenty years old before they 

 had undergone any material repair; but, lamentable to relate, we 

 now seldom see a ship, either public or private, that is not more 

 or less rotten in from tive to seven years after she is built. The 

 question may then reasonably be asked, what nation can support a 

 navy, if its ships are to be rebuilt in so short a time after their 

 eonstriiction ? 



" Again, if the quantity of timber used in the construction of 

 ships, both public and private, is, under any circumstances, neces- 

 sary, how are we to account for the latter performing long voyages, 

 through tempestuous oceans, loaded with heavy cargoes, without 

 complaining either by straining or leaking ; when, on examination, 

 they are found to be as rotten as scarcely to exhibit one entire 

 sound plank or timber ; and, but for the superior quality of the 

 live oak, of which our national ships are principally framed, they 

 would be in the same situation ? The fact above stated, of the 

 competency of our private ships to sustain the strain of heavy car- 

 goes, even in the deca3'ed condition represented, certainly goes to 



* " In the year 1805, Col. Lear informed me that he visited die frijiate 

 Crescent, in Aliriers — she was then about seven years old, and hiiilt of the 

 common oak of New-England. On exfHnininff her, he I'ound that her 

 ceiling had been taken out ; and the minister of marine had informed liim, 

 that to tliis cause they attributed the duration of their sliips." 



