16 FITTING OF STEAM VESSELS. 



companions at witnessing her performance under 

 canvass ; and as I knew the fault could not be in 

 her shape, as she was remarkably fast for her 

 power under steam, I could attribute it to no- 

 thing but the want of proper masts and spars. 



In all voyages where steam is to be depended 

 on for the whole distance, the lighter the masts 

 and rigging are the better. In fact, a steam- 

 vessel then merely requires masts sufficiently 

 lofty to enable her to set her fore and aft sails 

 so as to steady her when she has the sea on her 

 beam. But in a voyage where the dependence 

 of performing it is partly on steam and partly on 

 canvass, a totally different rig is required : the 

 masts should be loftier in proportion to the beam 

 than even in a sailing vessel, and the lower yards 

 should be proportionably square. The Quorra 

 unfortunately was rigged in the Channel fashion, 

 and we were obliged to resort to the most laugh- 

 able devices to get her along. In vain were 

 spare sails set on the funnel, and awnings run out 

 as lower steering sails : under the most we could 

 do for her, and the most favourable circumstances, 

 we never could get even five miles per hour out 

 of her under sail. I have never seen it tried, but 

 I should think that a square mainsail set flying 



