300 Mr. Seppings on a neiv principle of constructing 
weight of the fabric. Now it is evident, that the first gale of 
wind the ship encounters, after being thus partially strength- 
ened, she must be reduced to the same state of weakness she 
v/as in before the remedy was applied. 
This mode of strengthening ships may be compared to that 
of a raft firmly secured in the first place by strong lashing, 
which after some time works loose, or rather by working is 
stretched. As it might be too tedious a business to secure the 
raft by retightening the lashing, a small cord, or some twine, 
would be used to answer the purpose. It is clear that whilst 
the small cord or piece of twine remained tight, no part of 
the strain can bear upon the strong, but loose lashing, till the 
other stretches or breaks ; so it is with a ship that has addi- 
tional securities given her without refastening those which had 
worked, or were much strained. 
To remedy defects, whether arising from the decay of the 
materials, or from any other cause, the principle now applied 
has many advantages, of which a slight inspection of the ship's 
hold (figure i,) will convince, but in no respect is this advan- 
tage greater, than in the decks, for by shifting them when 
worn too thin for caulking, the original connection between 
the beams, decks, and sides, will be restored as perfect as at 
first. 
The tendency of the ship to stretch or draw asunder in her 
upper works, being by no means obviated by the short planks 
on the inside between the ports, a truss piece of plank is sub- 
stituted in lieu of them, which being well secured at the abut- 
ments, very materially aids the trussed frame, and gives great 
stiffness, thereby opposing the inclination to arch or hog 
aloft. 
