154 
REPORT — 1854. 
' Himalaya,' built on the Thames by Mr. Mare, for the Peninsular and Oriental 
Company, measuring 3528 tons, and haviug a ratio of length to breadth of 7'41 j 
her length is 341 feet, and her breadth 46 feet. Although of great length, the water 
lines at bow and stern are so sharp and fine, that the buoyancy or resistance to the 
sea is thrown nearer the centre than in shorter or fuller ships. 
It will be.seen by the midship section that her rise of floor is very great, with a 
straight side of moderate depth; and she 1ms realized the highest speed between 
England and the Mediterranean. The * Bengal,' ‘ Argo,' and ' Victoria,’ are three 
large screw steamers, of recent construction ; they measure respectively 2180, 1840, 
and 1834 tons; their ratio uf length to hreadth is 7‘6l, fi’20, and G'85, ami were 
built by Messrs. Tod and M'Gregor, Messrs. Mure, and Messrs. Scott Russell and 
Co. respectively. 
A return of the services and voyages of vessels will give the only true account of 
speed realized ; but if accompanied by the dimensions, proportions, displacements, 
&c., in the tabular form, and diagram of midship section, much valuable information 
will be diffused, bearing on the more important, questions of relative strength and 
seaworthiness. 
The term "clipper ship” is applicable to all vessels in which speed is made the 
primary object. Acting on this principle, in 1831 Mr. Henderson built the clipper 
* Wutcrwitch’ (a model was placed on the table) so sharp and shallow, as to Btow a 
cargo of only one-half the 380 tous registered ; while carrying the sails of a 500 ton 
Bhip, having a numerous crew to man her efficiently, experience proved her very long 
masts and square yards were within the limits of safety. The ship being still em¬ 
ployed in the China trade, though twice twelve years old, is evidence of her being 
Bafoly built, rigged, and well-proportioned ns a sailing clipper, her length being 375 
times her breadth. In 1842 he built the ‘ Kelpie,’ of the sumo tonnage register, hut 
increased the length to four breadths, with less rise of floor, as shown in model ana 
diagram of midship section. 
There being some thirty English clippers between India and China, several Ame¬ 
rican clippers were built to compete with them, of much larger tonnage and greater 
length. I heir success induced the extension of the clipper principle into the China, 
* j l ^-' rnin ' and trade, for which the iron shipbuilders of Englan 
andthe timber shipbuilders of America are alike competitors. 
I he Americans have very large ships; the ' Great Republic' may be cited as an 
instance : her tonnage was 4535 tons, length 325 feet, and her breadth 53 teet; Iter 
ratio to length C - 13 breadths. She was unfortunately burnt when ready for sea, 
that no practical experience has resulted from this enterprise. The sides of tnc 
Great Republic' are three times as thick as those of the ' Bengal.’ an iron steamer 
Very large vessels—their seaworthiness.-Thc Report of the Directors °f tl * 
Eastern Steam Navigation Company states the dimensions and power of tbf> r 
intended ship to be ns follows length, 680 feet; breadth. 83 feet ; depth.,58 ***** 
7, -IV m p0(J , d , l 7 ; t,lc engines of a nominal horse-power of 26 °° bo _ 
Calculated by the old law, the tonnage of this vessel would be 22,912 tons, 
twice the length of the ' Himalaya/ and nearly a furlong or cable in length- 
Holy \\ nt records that Noah’s Ark, launched on the waters of the flood 
years before Christ, was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits broad, and 30 cubits deep, » 
proportional length being six times the breadth, and the depth 6 - 10 ths of the bread! • 
Hy oid law, the tonnage of Noah’s Ark was 11,905 tons, and calculated on 
mate, her external bulk would be about 1,580,277 cubic feet ; the ship t> ullt 2 . 
« Alexandria, bv Ptolemmus Philopater, 6445 tons ; while that of 
de ?'£ nCd by Mr - Bn *nel» and building by Mr. Scott Russell, wottW 
K.t’wtff 11 raUc tolk - '*<“ 8 ' 19 - ° r e ‘ 6ht Md 
Comfort Promised in this vessel building on the ljgj 
. l- f ♦ •/ g ° ^“/ Cofpubl ‘ c attention, but little consideration has been P “ . 
the subject of tts seeunty heavy seas, its capabilities for navigation, and the effect 
