HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

J61

classes were most materially compressed : those which were styled frigates beingalmost without exception of the description just given, and the new sloops ofAvar which were projected by Sir Jacob Acworth, mounting 8 guns only*.The principal purpose which they were intended to be applied to, was merelythat of preventing injuries being effected against the revenue, by the unlawful im-portation of commodities liable to an heavy duty ; and, except in this very ignobleoccupation, were scarcely ever brought into service. They were rarely capableof being employed in time of war, except as advice-boats; but one of t cm, how-ever inadequate, as common sense might have considered her, to undertake sucha voyage, was attached to the squadron, sent at the most unprosperous season of theyear, under the orders of Commodore Anson, to encounter the storms and dangerswhich attend the passage round Cape Horn. Strange, however, as it may appear, thisvery inconsidcraDie vessel effected her passage without any very material difficultyor danger, when the proudest ships in the squadron were reduced to the utmost ex-tremity of distress, or compelled to abandon the project. The Happy, which was,perhaps, as great a favourite as any of the whole class, wdll be a sufficient exempli-fication of what might rather be considered as the w himsical effetfd of a sportiveimagination, than a serious attempt to contrive a class of vessels w hich should ren-der service, in time of war, to the necessities of their country.

* The following table may serve to shew the difference, in tonnage and dimensions, between boththe frigates and sloops of the new and old class—

The HYJF.NA of 24 Guns.

Length of the keel for tonnage -

Length on the gun deck -

Breadth extreme -

Burthen in tons - 522.

Quantity of timber, comprizing alt qualities used in her construction

The ZEBRA Sloop oflVar, mounting l-l carriage, and as many swivel Guns

Length of the keel for tonnage - - - -

Ditto on the gun deck -

Breadth extreme -

Burthen in tons - 306.

Quantity of timber, comprizing all qualities used in her construction

Feet. Inches.9 4 3

11 4

32 3

Toads. Feet.

13 1S 13

Feet. Inches.79 6

97 O

25 11

Loads. Feet.

7t4 13

HAPPY,