sgS Mr, Seppings on a new principle of constructing 
from the hooks forward, to the transoms abaft, to the under- 
side of which, as well as the under parts of the beams, they 
are securely coaked, and being then firmly bolted to the side, 
instead of becoming a mere local fixture of the beam to the 
ship’s exterior frame, as knees were, they are one continued 
and general security. The shelf piece is also a tie to the top- 
side in a fore and aft direction, cooperating with the trussed 
frame, as already explained. 
2dly. By chocks, represented in figure 2, letter H., which 
are placed under all the shelf pieces in wake of the beams, ex- 
cept the orlop, in such a manner as to receive the up and down 
arm of the iron knees. The lower ends of those under the gun- 
deck shelf piece, step on the ends of the orlop beams, and those 
of the several decks above, step on the projecting part of the 
spirketting below. The chocks, particularly those between 
the orlop and gun decks, admit of their being driven into their 
respective places very tight, thereby acting like pillars. An- 
other advantage attending them, is their great tendency to 
stiffen the ship’s side, and to prevent the beam ends from 
playing on the fastenings when the ship is rolling, or straining 
under a press of sail. 
The curved iron plate knees for securing the orlop beams, 
and the iron forked knees of the other decks, are described in 
figures 3 and 2. 
The flat or planks of the several decks being, on the old 
system, each of them a mere platform, or in other words a 
cover to a box unconnected with the sides, are here so disposed 
of, as not only to oppose an alteration of figure from a force 
acting on the ship in a lateral direction, but also are made 
subservient towards securing the beams to the sides of the ship. 
