HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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If, nevertheless, it should be thought proper to allot a larger space to each ofthe rowers, it may be done by deducting somewhat from the vacancy betweenthe first rower and the side, retaining still the number of rowers and seatsoriginally stationed to the first oar, which, from its immense length and sizeit appears to demand. In the five inferior tiers, less difficulty will occur withregard to them, on account of the decreasing size of the oars, the number ofseats required on each bench, ending at last in unity, will very manifestlypoint out the number of persons that were employed on each. The annexedFigure will well explain the disposition of them : the lower tier having one,the second two, the third four, the fourth six, the fifth eight, and the sixth,which is the highest of those placed under the deck, ten seats ; so that the wholeof the six tiers contain thirty-one ranks, the vacant space, marked a , left betweenthe ends of the different benches, was destined for the reception of the provisions,and such stores as were necessary. It also served for the lodging of those mari-ners, or rowers, when off duty, who were employed in working the vessels.

As in conformity with the foregoing system, it is concluded the tiers of oarswere not ranged perpendicularly over each other, but according to such a dis-position as has been already described, it follows, that they were placed in adoubly oblique direction, one with regard to the head and stern of the vessel,the other relating; to the breadth. As to what some authors have thoughtproper to add, relative to the under props, it seems immaterial to the purpose*and is therefore passed over.

The seventh and highest tier, or rank of oars, being those which it is to besupposed were worked above the transtra , or beams, passing from one side ofthe vessel to the other, is next to be considered. Although the situation ofthese may at the first glance be thought to have been higher than those whichwere under the beams, the fact will be found to turn out otherwise, the oars ofthe sixth and seventh tiers being both at an equal distance from the seat, and therow-ports of both preserving one uniform line; but that this position may bethe more clearly understood, it will be necessary to give a short description ofthe beams themselves, and also of the upper deck. The nature and position of thebeams have been already briefly given, but it must be remembered, that although,in the strictly classical and literal sense, the word transtra implies the upper seatsof the rowers which were so called, while those beneath them were, as beforementioned, stiled guyu, or juga \ yet as those beams while they on one hand served

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