of constructing ships in the mercantile navy. 143 
procuring them in India) until her arrival in this country ; 
thus supporting her cargo without the aid of knees, either of 
wood or iron. 
The advantages of this plain, but important subject, particu- 
larly in point of safety, has induced me to bring it before the 
Society, in the hope that its utility and importance to this great 
maritime nation, may plead an excuse for the absence of ab- 
stract science, to which the attention of the Society may, per- 
haps, be more peculiarly directed. 
