1160 
THE FIELD 
where, under the “ pursership" of Mr. Clemow. its treasurer, 
the members held on Tuesday last their 07th monthly 
meeting, and sat down subsequently, nearly fifty in number, 
to their anuual dinner, at which the flag-officers filled the 
chair and vice-chair of the three tables, while the Secretary 
and Mr. Annitage took the ends of the commodore's table. 
By this arrangement, tho comforts of the company were 
much enhanced, and the details of the evening passed oft 
without let or hindrance. The officers were so spread over 
the room, that any question arising was instantly met by 
the proper authorities, and all went “ morry as a marriage 
bell,” except in one instance which, as it will, we hope, 
never be repeated, we nt once bury in oblivion. 
During the business part of the evening, five candidates 
were ballotted into the club, and the following officers 
elected for the year 1855 : — 
COMMOBORB W. Tuck well. 
ViCR’CoimoDOKE T. II. Williams, 
ltiiAB-CoMMouous ). 1*. Gordon. 
SucuBTAuy W. B. Crabb. 
Standing Counsel W. Knight. 
Tbbasi'heb Prank Clemow. 
a— 
Librarian It. Armitagc. 
Cur-BEAREu II. Williams. 
SAILING COAIMITTliU. 
J. Gardner, jun. I E. Gibbinn, 
It. Annitage. I J. Ham. 
J. Purnell. | 
The following motions were carried : — 
That the annual subscription be lien ccfortli ten sliilllings, and that 
horo be no entrance feo or other sum whatever demanded of members. 
That the maximum tonnage of the club-eriift ho eight tons, o. m. 
This is reverting to the tonnage originally established in 
the L. M. Y. C., but once decreased to five in order not to 
interfere with the P. W, Y. C., then confined to eight 
tons, but now increased to fifteen tons. 
The rules of the club are about to undergo revision ; but, 
with the exception of this decision, and the business above 
reported, nothing further was brought forward on Tuesday 
last. About eight o'clock tho commodore took the chair at 
the dinner-table, which, we may ns well nt once say, was 
groaning under the substantial viands of the season. 
Great credit is due to Mr. Clemow for the handsome supply 
he put before the members, tho moderation of his charges, 
and the attendance he had provided. As to the toasts, the 
commodore proposed “ The Queen," which was drunk en- 
thusiastically, aud followed by the National Anthem ; and 
he next gave, “ Prince Albert and the Royal Family,” 
followed by the ‘‘Allied Navies and Armies,” by Mr. Win. 
Knight; the “London Model Yacht Club,” by Mr. Annitage, 
coupled with the “Officers re-elected,” who severally returned 
thanks. The Commodore next proposed, “the other Yacht 
Clubs of the United Kingdom,” coupled with “ Vice-Com- 
modore Knibbs,” who ably returned thanks, and elicited 
a capital song from Mr. Purnell. Mr. W. Knight here 
sent a New York Spirit of (he Times round the table, 
which he had received the day before, aud which con- 
tained a high eulogium on the L. M. Y. Club. The worthy 
Secretary's health was next proposed by the commo- 
dore, and after flic toast had been duly acknowledged, 
Mr. Gibbins delighted the company with a song ; and the 
Vice-commodore proposed, “ the Press," the representatives 
of five metropolitan papers being present. Mr. Robt. Soutar, 
jun., of The Field, facetiously returned thanks ; and, owing 
to the cries for their “ following on the same side,” was 
backed up iu liis'ohser rations by Mr. Denison of tho Times 
and by Mr. Luxtou aud Mr. W. Knight. The rear-commodore 
next proposed, “ the Visitors,” for whom Mr. Barnard made 
a most eloquent reply, Aud here we must pause, and wind 
up our report, by simply stating that Mr. Biffin cleverly 
explained his newly-invented boat, a craft we may yet 
describe in a future number of The Field. 
BIRKENHEAD MODEL YACHT CLUB. 
The usual monthly meeting of the club was held at the 
Monk's Ferry Hotel on the evening of Wednesday, the 6th 
iust., at seven o'clock. This was the annual meeting of the 
club, at which the officers for the ensuing year were elected. 
We subjoin a statement of the financial position of the club, 
at the close of the present season. The books of the club 
were laid before the meeting for the inspection of such 
members as were desirous of obtaining further information 
regarding the accounts : — 
Birkenhead Model Yacht Club in account with W. Scott, 
Treasurer, from April 18f/i, 1851. 
® r \ I# ^ d Cr. £ *. d. 
To ]Kud for Prizes 47 14 0 By Balance received of 
To Balance of Steam- | Into Treasurer 
boat Account 18 9 0 
To Balance of Working 
Account 14 19 10 
Balance 6 3 0 
61 0 
By Subscriptions received 
since 18th April 23 2 
By Entrance Money for 
Prizes 11 14 
£80 5 10 
£86 6 10 
_ By Balance. . £5 3 0 
Examined, 1st December, 1854. 
T. Wilkinson Tetley, Auditor, B.M.Y.C. 
List of Yachts belonging to the 
Name and Rig. Tons. 
Challenge, sloop 7 i 
Jessica, cutter jj 
Sirocco, sloop 8 
Electric, sloop ^ 
Polly and Anne, cutter 5 
Warlock, sloop 4) 
Spirit, sloop 4j 
Kelpie, sloop 31 f 
Torment, sloop 3I 
Cyprian, sloop 31 
Sybil, sloop 31 ' _ _ 
Naina yawl 2 
Woe Jeanie, sloop " 2 
Squib, sloop 2 . . . . . . . . 
Squib, sloop [ " " 1 j 
Club : 
Ownor. 
A. Bower, Esq. 
J. A. Clarke, Esq. 
W. Brown, Esq. 
T. Wilkinson, Esq. 
J. Holme, Esq. 
E. C. Hicks, Esq. 
T. Wilkinson, Esq. 
K. A. Horley, Esq 
K. C. Hicks, Esq. 
•I. M. Manna)', Esq. 
Hon. Secretary. 
W. J. (Ionian, Esq, 
Late II. Lain), Esq. 
J A. Clarke, Esq. 
W. Bowen, Esq. 
MR. DEMPSTER'S INVENTIONS. 
Tho»e who have noticed the exertions made by Mr. 
Dempster whilst endeavouring to make known the principles 
of his four new nautical inventions — namely, a now system 
of rigging sailing yachts, a new system of building Bailing 
yachts, a new code of signals, &c., a new trawling apparatus 
— will have seen the difficulties he lmd to contend against* 
whilst struggling up a stream interspersed with obstructions’ 
which from his position in life lie was an entire stranger to. 
Many of those parties will not only wonder at seeing him 
still underway, and persevering to reach a haven so difficult 
of access, but their greatest wonder will be to learn that ho 
is afloat at all, raid able to show a stitch of canvass to the 
breeze. To introduce readily amongst communities such 
inventions as Mr. Dempster has laboured with, much time, 
trouble, and expenditure are required. Nothing for nothing 
u the general rule now-a-days that most inventors have to 
make headway against, especially when they have nothing 
else to show in exchange for the legal tender but the workings 
and labours of the brain’s creation. Until inventions arc 
produced iuto the market in a tangible shape, exhibiting real 
substance and reproductive properties, the courses and lives 
of inventors, can seldom run smooth. “ What use are such 
things to me ? — 1 have not the slightest interest in such 
things ; they are not at all in my way, and I have too much 
to do with other matters. — I am no speculator. — You should 
call on Mr. So-aud-So ; lie is a likely person to enter on your 
views," arc responses from parties inquired at to take up 
new inventions. The numerous twistings and windings 
inventors at times are necessitated to make — the delays and 
disappointments they are doomed to suffer — the refusals, 
rebuffs, and other species of annoyance they are everywhere 
subjected to, are discouragements sufficient to make inven- 
tors reflect seriously on their position, seek for retirement, 
and avoid society. Were it not for hope, that cheering 
watchman perched up aloft aud looking a-head, how desolate 
would be the lives of inventors who had staked their all to 
produce and mature some plan of utility calculated to benefit 
the human family I Hope scans the horizon carefully, and 
looks stedfastly at several points ; hope sees in the distance 
au opening which, if once fairly entered, may yet lead on to 
success ; hope cannot for a moment think of returning down 
a steep, that is more difficult to descend than it is to 
climb upwards ; hope, therefore, calls in the aid of perse- 
verance to embark on the enterprise, aud as both of these 
patriots had previously in company buffeted the storm, aud 
they are now better seasoned to the influence of weather, 
they are more regardless of puffs of wind directed against 
them, when unaccompanied by thunder, rain, aud hailstones. 
“ Kootchpurwanec’ (never mind) — “ Nil despera/ndum” (never 
despair) at difficulties — ought to be the motto of all inventors. 
Let indomitable perseverance show sincerity of purpose — let 
sobriety be the sentry continually on guard, and depend upon 
it the saying — “ It is a long lane that has no turning ” — is 
quite correct. 
The natural enemies to all inventions are those evil 
instincts of nature aroused by the esteem we have of ourselves. 
These formidable opponents are what all inventors have to 
war against. Rival interests fortify themselves against all 
things new, calculated to enroach on their already established 
rights ; new-fangled plans are something to be learnt afresh, 
aud what use is there in them, when people are well enough 
couteuted with things as they are. Innovations of every 
kind are reckoned usurpations, and every yachtsman does not 
feel comfortable when he sees other clippers gliding gently 
by him. There are no other means for inventors to meet such 
au array of hostile forces than by using overpowering argu- 
ments aud truths impregnable. With an abundance of such 
weapons at disposal, if judiciously handled aud well directed, 
they act on the enemy like a long-ranged gun playing on a 
fort where ordnance are of less calibre. First, the walls 
give way — then a breach is made — the walls crumble, and 
havoc ensues in the camp — a variety of opinions are now 
expressed — a council of war is held — the majority says, there 
is no use holding out longer — a flag of truce is hoisted — the 
colours are struck — arms are laid down — and, finally, peace 
is established. - 
The friends of Mr. Dempster are to understand from this 
t hat two out of his four nautical inventions have at length 
been taken up. Two highly respectable firms in London 
are to bring them forward at their earliest convenience in a 
regular ship-shape way. 
Messrs. James Imray and Son, publishers of nautical 
works, 102, Minorics, will produce a universal telegraphic 
dictionary. 
Mr. Samuel Tull, net manufacturer, No. 153, Fenchurch- 
street, will produce trawling apparatuses with nets, to fit 
vessels of all denominations and sizes. 
Thus relieved of two inventions, Mr. Dempster now 
offers the plans of his other two to yachtsmen. Both of them 
are of some public utility. The experimental yacht “ Problem,” 
twenty feet long aud six feet beam, was satisfactorily tested 
during all descriptions of weather. The Royal Scottish 
Society of Arts, Edinburgh, appointed a committee of their 
naval members to report on this vessel. They reported as 
their opinion — “ The idea was well adapted for yachts under 
forty tons, to train youth iu naval tactics, giving them an 
active notion of vessels in the fluid, aud the action of wind 
on sails.” The stem and stern posts of the “ Problem” meet 
at an angle below the centre of the vessel, thus forming a 
triangular keel. The apex of the keel being strong, withau 
incline direction, the vessel, whilst sailing at the rate of 
seven knots, struck a rock where there was one and a half 
feet less water than her extreme draught, and she went over 
it without sustaining the slightest damage. Another advan- 
tage of tliis formation of hull is — as the vessel lays over upon 
aboard, there is more length and body of the hull immersed 
in the fluid to leeward than there is to windward, and the 
hydraulic action of the fluid upon a weather helm tends to 
press the vessel up to windward of the course she looks. 
As a vessel of war, she can be made to perform the revolving 
manoeuvre, which is to keep her turning round and round, 
as if on a pivot, so that broadside after broadside, bow aud 
stern guns, can be discharged without ever having occasion 
to call a man from his gun to attend the braces. The advan- 
tage of the new rig chiefly rests in the fore-and-aft triangular 
sails. Booms (or yards) are secured at the middle in swivels 
fitted at the bow and stem of the vessel. These yards work 
clear of the mast, and can be made to perform a circle. By 
this it will be seen that when those two sails are set alone, a 
complete balance of power is obtained over the vessel. The 
possibility to trim those yards to any degree, or hundredth 
P R rt of a degree, upon a circle, gives them a double advantage 
over any other description of sails constructed. Under them 
alone set, tho vessel can be tacked, wore, aud boxlmuled 
stem ways as well as ahead. All the manoeuvres aud 
evolutions of a square-rigged ship or four-and-aft rigged 
craft, can be performed as the artist disposes. They are 
easily set, easily taken in, and, as the body of canvass is low, 
they are powerful iu the breeze. The mainmast of the vessel* 
is rigged as a square-rigged ship, where studding-sails, royals, 
nioourakers, and skyscrapers, can be set as required. 
Any one wishing to see the model from which the 
Problem" experimental yacht was built, and the swivel 
that fits over the fore aud mizeu mast-heads (a particular 
part of the machinery), may call at Messrs. Hunt and Son’s, 
Ni>, 6, New Church-street, Edgeware-road. 
Parties desirous to address Mr. Dempster sincerely on the 
subject, will see his address in the catalogue of the Great 
Industrial Exhibition of 1851, where he obtained a prize of 
£20 for his new equilateral triangular telegraph. 
“ Science of Naval Architecture.’’ We hope members will 
attend at the Club-house, Freemasons' Tavern, in a stron 
muster. The members of any royal yacht club, and navaf 
officers, will be admitted on presenting their cards. 
Anglesey Yacht Club. — On Tuesday next, the 12th 
iust., the monthly meeting will be held at Ashley's Hotel 
Henrietta-street, Coveut -garden. Several candidates are on’ 
the list for ballot. 
Tin: British Fleet in Olden Times. — The fleet 0 f 
Richard I, of Euglaud, when lie weighed anchor for the 
Holy War, from Messina, in Sicily, where he passed the 
winter, A.D. 1190-1, is said to have consisted of 13 drouione- 
or ships of the largest size ; 250 ships of second-rate ; 53 
galleys, aud a vast number of barques and other vessels used 
as transports. Edward III.'s fleet before Calais in 134* 
consisted of 738 ships, carrying 11,956 mariners, being an’ 
average of only about 20 iu each ship; 15 ships aud 495 
mariners from Bayonne, being 30 to each ship ; 7 ships and 
184 men from Spain ; 1 from Ireland, carrying 25 men; 14 
from Flanders, with 133 men, scarcely 10 to each ship ; j 
from Guelderland, with 24 mariners. Fifteen of these were 
called the King’s own ships, uud were manned by 419 
mariners. It would thus be seen that the British vessels of 
that period were of a small size. About the middle of the 
15th century ships of larger proportions began to be con- 
structed. William Canning, the eminent merchant, who was 
five timoB mayor of Bristol, a.d. 1474, having forfeited the 
King's pence, was condemned to pay 300 marks, in lieu of 
which sum, Edward VI, took of him 2470 tons of shipping 
amongst which there were ono sliip of 900 tons burden one 
of 500 tons, and one of 400 tons. Iu 1505, James IV. 0 f 
Scotland built a large ship, which was lost on her way to 
France. In tho fleet fitted out by Henry VIII. there was 
ono ship, the Regent, of 1000 tons. The Henri Grace de Dieu 
was of a still larger size, aud said to have been the first ves- 
sel which accomplished a voyage round tho world. At the 
present time, when so much attention is directed to naval 
affairs, it may not be without interest to give the following 
particulars of our navy of former days, and which in 1575 
consisted of only 24 ships, aud the number of merchant ships 
belonging to Euglaud amounted to no more than 135 vessels 
of above 100 tons, aud 656 bet ween 40 and 100 tons. At 
Queen Elizabeth’s death, iu 1603, there were not above four 
merchant ships of 400 tons each. The largest of Queen 
Elizabeth's 6hips of war was 1000 tous, and carried 340 men 
aud 40 guns, aud the smallest 600 tous, carrying 50 men and 
30 guns. The account given by Sir William Munsen, about 
the time of the death of Queen Elizabeth, is as follows ? — 
10 
800 
700 
600 
2 ships of 1000 tous, carrying each 500 men. 
3 •• 900 •• •• 1 480 ;; 
400 „ 
(•353 „ 
1 400 „ 
(360 „ 
(300 „ 
4 „ 600 „ „ 250 „ 
2 „ 400 „ „ 200 „ 
350 „ „ 100 „ 
, 200 „ „ 100 „ 
9 smaller vessels; 39 in the whole. — The Builder. 
Ancient Ships of War. — Among the most celebrated 
ships of antiquity is that of Ptolemy Philopater, which is 
said to have been 280 cubits long, 38 cubits broad, and 4S 
high ; it carried 4,000 rowers, 400 sailors, aud 3,000 sold'ers 
— in all, 7,400. That which the same prince made to sail on 
the Nile, we are told, was also of large proportions. Yet 
these ships were nothing in comparison with Hiero's ship, 
built under the direction of Archimedes, on the structure of 
which, Moschian wrote a whole volume. There was wood 
enough used in it to make sixty galleys. It had all the 
variety of apartments of a palace — banqueting-rooms, 
galleries, gardens, fish-ponds, stables, mills, baths, a temple 
of Venus, &c. It was encompassed with an iron rampart 
and eight towers, with walls and bulwarks, furnished with 
machines of war, particularly one, which threw a stone of 
3001b., or a dart 12 cubits long, the space of half a mile. It 
was as late as B.C. 261 before the Romans had seriously 
determined on building a fleet of ships of war ; and when 
this resolution was formed so ignorant were they in all that 
concerned naval architecture that the thing would not have 
been very speedily accomplished but by an accident. A 
Carthagenian galley being on a cruise off the coast of Italy, 
and venturing too near the shore, she grounded aud stuck 
fast. The Romans, availing themselves of this accident, 
seized the vessel before the crew had time to got her off; 
and it was on the model of this galley that their first fleet of 
ships of war was constructed. The Roman ships of war 
were long iu proportion to their breadth, and received 
different names, according to the number of tiors of oars 
they were calculated to employ. The Danish vessels of war 
were richly ornamented with gold and other objects of great 
value. The boats which until lately had been used on the 
River Tyne for some centuries, are said to have been of the 
same model as those of the rapacious uorthmeu. These 
were clumsy-looking vessels, round at each end, and rather 
flat-bottomed, with a mast and single square-sail . — The 
Builder. 
B 0 W 1 W®. 
♦ 
1 We shall feel obliged by the Secretaries of “Bowing Clubs," and others, 
forwarding their Appointments of Matches or Notices of Meetings to 
come, at their early convenience. 
OXFORD. 
Foun-oAn Races for Challenge Cup and Medals. 
These races came off Monday and Tuesday. Much disap- 
pointment was felt in consequence of Balliol having been 
obliged to take off through the indisposition of their stroke. 
Owing to tho low state of tho river, time races wore substi- 
tuted for the usual level heats. On the first day the race 
was between Worcester and University. The following 
were the crews : — 
WOBCKSTEB. 
?eler (stroke) 
!ey (3) 
Wheeler ( 
S. Ke , 
Cole (2) 
Woolnougli (bow) 
Yapp (coxswain) 
rNIVlUlSIXY. 
Denne (stroke) 
Crastor (3) 
Booth (2) 
Glvn (bow) 
bias (coxswain) 
Prince of Wales Yacht Club.— O n Friday next, the 
15th last., Mr. Ditchbura will continue his lecture on the 
... * » ' • L'HW rtUASWHIIl) 
Worcester took the first placo, and aftor a capital start, drew 
slightly away from their antagonists up to the Gut : here 
they lost ground by careless steering, but again recovered 
their position. At tho top of the Willows, University seemed 
to awake, aud their great strength beginning to tell, drew 
on Worcester, aud finally won by five seconds. 
On Tuesday, University rowed against Exeter — the crew 
of the latter being Marshall (stroke), Gildea (3), Salmon (2), 
Stocker (bow), H. Stone (coxswain). The river being lower 
thou on tho previous day, much, difficulty was experienced 
