MR. R. Napier's testimony. 93 



" I am certain that hollow lines were a favourite plan of 

 Mr. Smith long before he ever built a steam-yacht ; for 

 when contracting for the Menai steam-yacht, he told me 

 that he had put a new bow with hollow lines on to his sailing- 

 yacht the Menai, which had increased her speed greatly, 

 and he wished the same kind of bow put into the steamer. 

 If the plan of this new bow that was put on the Menai 

 could be got from the ship-builder it would settle the 

 matter at once, I think, in favour of Mr. Smith for hollow 

 lines, and that he wished them introduced into his steam- 

 yachts before the Fire-Icing. On that occasion, however, 

 Mr. Wood, the ship-builder, being opposed to hollow lines, 

 and Mr. Smith at that time having had no experience oi 

 steam-vessels, gave in to Mr. Wood, and adopted the lines 

 he recommended. But when Mr. Smith decided on build- 

 ing the Fire-king, he resolved the lines should be hollow, 

 according to his own plan, and she was built exactly 

 according to his views, with sharp hollow lines. His plan 

 being in opposition to anything that had been done, created 

 a great sensation among ship-builders and scientific people, 

 many of whom inspected the vessel while building ; and, 

 singularly enough, almost everyone condemned the plan, 

 and continued of that opinion till the day of her trial 

 on the Garloch, when her unexpected great success changed 

 not only the opinions but the practice of all connected with 

 steamers ; for from that day a rapid change took place in 

 the form of all steamers requiring speed, by giving them 

 hollow instead of round lines, &c. From all that I know of 

 these hollow lines, I am decidedly of opinion that the 

 theory of them may belong to this or that person ; hut that 

 the practical introduction and adaption of hollow water lines 

 to steamers entirely belong to your late husband, and cannot, 

 I think, be honestly gainsaid by any one. Such being the 

 fact, I would advise that the theorists be allowed to fight 

 for the honour of discovering the lines, which I know does 

 not belong to Mr. Scott Kussell. If I can be of any further 



