142 Sir Robert Seppings on a new principle 
difficulty procured for these purposes, is avoided. Uniform 
support will thus be given, and also an increase of room for 
stowage. 
In large mercantile ships above 500 tons, I would recom- 
mend that plate-iron be laid diagonally, as shown in PL X. 
The principle now recommended will cause a decrease in 
the consumption of materials, and the difficulty of procuring 
the necessary curvature will be obviated. It also affords pro- 
tection from worms externally, and vermin internally. Leaks 
may be more easily discovered and stopped than by the old 
method ; and in point of additional strength, there can be no 
doubt. But were farther proof required, I need only state, 
that the Malabar, of 74 guns, built at Bombay, arrived at 
Portsmouth in October last, loaded to her upper deck with 
timber, and during her passage encountered four heavy gales 
of wind, without showing a symptom of weakness, as will 
appear by the following Extract from the Survey made by 
the Officers of Plymouth Yard, on that ship, by order of the 
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
“ When we consider the nature of the lading that this 
“ ship has brought home, with the temporary security to 
“ the beams of ail the decks, except the orlop, and that on 
tc her passage she encountered four very severe gales of 
“ wind, it must, we presume, be very gratifying to your 
“ Honorable Board to find, that she does not indicate any 
“ past symptoms of weakness or straining in any part.” 
This ship had no other attachment for her beams than the 
internal hoops and thick waterway ; the remainder of her 
security, the iron knees, being omitted, (from the difficulty of 
