[ 303 ] 
XVI. Remarks on the employment of Oblique Riders^ and on other 
alterations in the construction of Ships. Being the substance of 
a Report presented to the Board of Admiralty, with additional 
demonstrations and illustrations. By Thomas Young, M. D. 
For. Sec. R. S. 
Read March 24, 1814. 
1. Introductory Observations. 
The advantage derived from the employment of forces acting 
obliquely with respect to each other, in a variety of cases 
which occur in practical medianics, has been demonstratively 
established by theoretical writers on the subject ; and attempts 
liave often been made to extend the application of the prin- 
ciple very considerably in the art of ship-building ; but hitherto 
with very little permanent success. Mr. Seppings's arrange- 
ments are in many respects either new or newly modified ; 
and the results of their actual employment, in the repair of the 
Tremendous, appear to be sufficiently encouraging to entitle 
them to a careful and impartial investigation, both with regard 
to the theory on which they are supposed to be founded, and 
to the facts which may be produced in their favour. The 
question, respecting the best disposition of the timbers of a 
ship, is by no means so easily discussed, as may be supposed 
by those, who have considered the subject but superficially; 
and if we allowed ourselves to be influenced by a few hasty 
arguments or experiments, we might be liable to the most 
dangerous errors : on the other hand, it may easily happen 
R r 3 
