1840.] On low Steam Power to Vessels, instead of Sails. 



253 



pendent upon sails ; and of those that are lost in the open sea, almost 

 the whole are lost through their masts, from which cause of clanger, the 

 steamers would be freed. 



l.'Jth. — All possible improvements in chronometers, and the m.eans of 

 finding the latitude and longitude, would have an effect upon navigation 

 not worth mentioning in comparison of what would be effected by the 

 general use of steam, for there would then be no necessity whatever for 

 ascertaining a vessel's position to a nicety ; in approaching the land it 

 would be a matter of little consequence to her whether the weather was 

 thick or clear, or whether she made the land to windward, or to lee- 

 ward of her port ; and when she did run into any danger she could just 

 as easily run out of it again ; not that it is impossible for a steamer to 

 be lost, but in nine cases out of ten, a position which renders the loss of 

 a sailing vessel inevitable, would not in the least endanger a vessel with- 

 out masts but with a moderate steam power. 



14th. — In the case of war steamers, a small squadron could carry a 

 large body of troops, as the length of the voyage would be almost cer- 

 tain, and they could not only appear at any moment upon any point of 

 an enemy's coast, but they might proceed direct up any navigable river, 

 and land the whole force, complete and fresh, in the heart of the country, 

 and also proceed up the rivers in support of them after they were landed. 



15th.— It is by no means the least important feature in this plan, that 

 those vessels would draw little more than two-thirds of the water, that 

 vessels intended to carry heavy masts and to work to v/indward must 

 draw, so that they would enter ports, rivers and channels, where at pre- 

 sent vessels of two-thirds of their burthen could scarcely enter. Thus 

 many harbours and rivers at present almost useless as ports, would be- 

 come equal in value to those now containing half as much water again. 



It may here be remarked, that in all the above calculations of expence 

 the commander and officers are supposed to be unacquainted with the 

 steam engine, but it is evident that if the system was introduced, they 

 would soon be men as well acquainted with the management of an engine 

 as they are at present with that of the sails, for the former would be as 

 much their business in steamers without sails, as the latter is at present. 

 This would of course reduce the expence materially. 



In conclusion it must be remembered that all the calculations in 

 this paper are made upon the present state of the marine steam engine. 

 Taking into consideration that every year adds some improvements, is it 

 too much to expect that by the further reduction in the quantity of fuel 

 required, the advantages may be so decidedly in favour of steam, that 

 sailing vessels will in time, be as few in proportion as steamers are now. 



