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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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of each class or rate, down to a sloop, inclusive; as well with respect to theirprincipal dimensions, as to their malts and yards, and whatsoever else might, intheir opinion, contribute to make them complete ships of war. But, as thepresent ships of 80 guns, with three decks, are, in general, ill approved, theywere directed to propose ships carrying 74 guns, with two decks and half, in theirroom. They were likewise directed to take into their consideration, and give theiropinion, concerning such a disposition of the cabin rooms, platforms, awnings,as well as of all other parts of the ship, that may improve them lor the several usesthey are allotted to, by a fit placing, as well as proportioning the same ; and like-wise to consider whether any reasonable saving can be made in the presentmethod of finishing his majesty’s ships: or whether any superfluous or unneces-sary expence might be retrenched. They have accordingly taken this im-portant affair into their separate considerations, and severally made their report tous, their lordships, upon the several points referred to them; but their lordshipsthinking it necessary to have the said reports examined and considered by theflag officers of the navy, as well as by such of the senior captains as shall bethought proper, their lordfhips command me to signify to you their desire, thatyou will appoint a convenient day for your coming to town, and their lordshipsknowing the time you shall fix for that purpose, will order the flag officers, andsome of the senior captains, who shall be in the way, to meet you at a place tobe appointed for that purpose, in order to take the reports and proposals of theseveral persons above mentioned into your consideration ; also that you may be at-tended by the said persons, for demonstrating and explaining to you their respec-tive schemes; and enable you, by consulting or advising together, to form ajudgment upon the best rules and methods of building the ships of the royal navy,so that you may report the same to their lordships. I am, &c.

This order, or rather invitation, accompanied by various documents alreadyalluded to, tended very materially to elucidate the point in question ; among themost consequential were those which immediately follow ; which are renderedparticularly interesting, as they form a plain, concise, and interestingly progres-sive account of the expences attendant upon the equipment of a ship or vessel ineach class, at four distinct periods. To this is added, a short but very curiouscomparison of the various proposals made by the different master shipwrights, withrespect to the two former establishments and proportions which had been receivedin the royal navy, at different aeras, as the most proper for adoption,

VOL. III.

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