8 
Mr. Seppings on the great strength, &c. 
extract of a letter from Captain Ross of the Northumberland, 
to Sir George Cockburn, which was transmitted to the 
Admiralty : 
“ I have to state, that the fore and aft side required caulk- 
“ ing on the passage from England (which was partially 
“ done) when the diagonal side did not ; the fore and aft side 
“ now requires caulking all over, and the diagonal side very 
“ little ; being, in my opinion, and that of the carpenter, 
“ much in favour of the diagonal decks/' 
On the return of the Northumberland to Sheerness, the 
officers of the yard were directed very particularly to survey 
her decks. After speaking of the favourable report made to 
their enquiries by the officers of the ship, they stated as 
follows ; 
“ This report of the officers was confirmed by the general 
“ appearance of the ship on her arrival at this port, and 
“ having subsequently caulked and minutely examined the 
“ state of the decks and water-ways, we find the comparison 
“ so much in favour of the larboard side, as to determine, that 
“ the diagonal system of laying decks is preferable to the 
“ common system." 
