Improved Capstan and Windlass . %%1 
Capstans of this kind can be made by a common ship- 
wright, and would not be liable to be put out of order. 
They also would not occasion any additional friction or 
wear to the messenger or cable, in which particulars they 
would be superior to the other contrivance hitherto 
brought forward for the same purpose ; they also would 
much facilitate the holding on. 
The great loss of time and great trouble, which always 
attend applications to the Navy Board, prevent my at- 
tempting to bring the matter before the public through 
that channel, though I have had the most unequivocal ap- 
probation of the capstan from the two gentlemen of that 
board best qualified to judge of it. I mention this, lest 
it might be thought, that my not applying there first was 
from any doubt of the goodness of the invention. If the 
Society should approve of the capstan, I will draw up a 
more minute account of it for publication. I am, &c. 
J. W. Boswell. 
Sir — I have examined your model of a capstan, which 
is calculated to prevent the surging of the messenger 
when heaving in the cable ; it certainly possesses great 
merit, and the idea to me is quite new. I am, &c. 
Nov. 19, 1806 . William Mule. 
Sir — -According to your desire, I transcribe the part 
of the letter from Mr. Peake (Surveyor of the Navy) to 
me, which relates to the capstan laid before the Society. 
Extract of a Letter from Henry Peake , Esq. 
“ With regard to your ideas on the capstan ; I have 
u tried all I can to find some objection to it, but confess 
u I hitherto have been foiled, and shall more readily 
forward it, if it was only to supersede a plan now 
