STEAM-SHIPS EOK THE CHANNEL PASSAGE. 
13 
in ordinary rougli weather,* as well as to reasonable ease and 
comfort at sea, a boat 350 ft. long and 45 ft. broad or there- 
abouts, and drawing not more than 8 ft. of water. 
4. As to the easiest thing likely to be obtained in our days 
— the Bessemer saloon steamer. 
I give this to my readers as the best judgment which I can 
form on a subject which I have studied with great care. 
Whether right or wrong, it is to that extent worthy of atten- 
tion, and it is wholly unprejudiced ; as I have neither interest 
nor share in, nor retainer for, any one of the schemes which 
have been brought forward. 
* Boulogne harbour is 70 metres or 225 feet wide, and Calais harbour 
100 metres or 330 feet wide. The entrances of both are mere canals open to 
seaward. 
