HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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so flexible, that the frame was formed of one piece only. This secret, however,appears to have been nothing more than bringing it by force into its properproposed curve, and confining it either till time had, in a great measure, subduedits elastic efforts to regain its original and naturally straight form, or as a moreexpeditious method, by adding cross pieces, now called beams, and bolting themstrongly to the timbers, completed the vessel by one uninterrupted operation.This practice being soon found extremely laborious and inconvenient, was quicklydiscontinued with regard to vessels of burthen, and the keel universally andindiscriminately applied to them, as well as to vessels of war. To the keel, im-provement and subsequent experience suggested the addition of the q>xX kiit, orkeelson, which confining the heads of the floor timbers, then in two parts,jointed into and divided by the keel, very materially contributed to the strengthand safety of the vessel. Close to the keelson was the well, contrived asthe receptacle of all that bilge water, which the working of the vessel throughthe rough sea caused the admission of, added to the impossibility of closing thejoints or seams so completely by caulking, but that under such circumstances somemust find its way. The part immediately above the keelson was called theor hold, and from thence is derived the English word keel, which forms thebottom of it. Aloft, beams were fixed, as already stated, which served tostrengthen the vessel, and support that necessary covering well known bythe name of deck. The frame, consisting of such timbers as formed the prin-cipal strength of the vessel, might now be considered as complete; but if it befair to give any pre-eminence where two distinct parts mutually contribute tothe support and perfection of each other, that which may be deemed the mostmaterial still remains to be described : this is the side or exterior planking ofthe vessel, which was termed by the Greeks ohrogafta, in allusion to the vest, orgarment, with which it was customary to cover the human body.

As the frame, especially in the midships, rose at right angles from the keel, sowas the planking in former times, as now, put on, in a line nearly parellel to it,allowing, as was necessary, for the curve, or sheer of the frame : it completelyenclosed it, being closely, as well as firmly attached and fastened to it by meansof large nails, or bolts, formed of iron, some of which, as necessity required,passing through both, were bent or clenched, thereby rendering the wholestructure firm and compact. As it was found impossible, particularly in vesselsof large dimensions, to procure planks of sufficient length to extend from thestem to the stern, the danger or inconvenience that might otherwise have

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arisen