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XXXIV. An Account of an extraordinary 
Operation performed in the Dock- Yard at 
Portfmouth : Drawn up by Mr. John 
Robertfon, F . R. S. 
Read May z 6 . rp H E Royal William, a firft rate 
17 57 ‘ man of war, built about 40 years 
ago, having, upon examination, been judged in fo 
good a ftate, as to be worthy of repairing for fea fer- 
vice, was ordered into dock, and brought thither on 
the 29th of June 1756. On thefe occafions it is 
yfual to lay acrofs the middle line of the bottom of 
the dock, at diftances of about five feet from one 
another, thick pieces of oak timber of about four 
feet long j their upper furfaces lying in the fame 
plane, or fo pofited, that a line ftretched from the 
two extreme blocks will touch all the intermediate 
ones ; and on the middle of thefe blocks the keel of 
the ftiip is to reft. On the faid day the tide did not 
rife fo high as was expedfed ; and there was not quite 
depth enough of water to float the fhip in, and fet 
her on the blocks, notwithftanding the afiiftance of 
an empty lighter, which, being fixed to the ftern, 
lifted the fhip at that end fix inches : and as the 
officers knew they ftiould not have fo much water 
again before the next fpring-tides, they were deter- 
mined to heave her in j which is a very common 
operation in moft dock-yards. Now it fo happened, 
thro’ the great weight of the head and ftern, that 
the Ihip cambered very much ; that is, her keel, 
from being ftrait, was become much curved, the 
two 
