234
HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.
magnitude and dimensions, but to the weaknefs of its frame, and the care-less manner in which it was originally constructed, or put together. It must,however, be admitted, that had those dimensions been more contracted, the in-conveniences complained of, would certainly have been lefs felt ; for, as isshrewdly remarked by Mr. Willet himself, in the memoir before mentioned ;“ The size of our ships seems now to have reached its ultimatum, for natureitself in some measure fixes its limits: it is man who is to navigate and managethem ; and unless our bodily strength could be increased likewise, every ma-noeuvre on board them must be conducted with difficulty and delay ; for thoughthe mechanic powers are almost boundless, the application of them for the pur-poses of navigation is more confined. The cordage, when made larger, will berendered difficult to pass through the pulleys, and so large at last, as not topass at all. Timber, the growth of nature as much as man, cannot be made togrow larger, and the very element (in harbours at least) in which they are tonavigate, hath only certain depths that cannot be increased. Let it also beremembered, as a certain axiom in mechanics, that what we gain in power,we must be contented to lose in time. Every operation on board will thereforebecome laborious, dilatory, and even uncertain.” Apparently enormous as thefize of the ship just mentioned certainly is, as may be seen by referringto the succeeding Chapter, it is said to have been materially exceeded by aSpanish first rate called the Santissima Trinidada, concerning which ship, Mr.
Particulars of the Weight of the different Articles composing the Equipment of French Frigates, Corvettes ,and Advice Boats, twhen stored for six Months Service in Time of War, according to the French Re-
gulations established 1786.
Weight of the ordnance,
Frirttes carrying
IS Founders.
tons.
131
Fr:?ates carrying
12 Founder*.
tons.
86
Corvettes
tons.
39
Advice ficats.
tons.
3
Weight of the cordage and rigging, in-dependent of the masts,
| 128
92
48
24
Water for three months,
90
73
34
19
Weight of the butts or casks,
15
12
5
3
Provisions for six months,
167|
137
44
261-
Weight of the equipage,
39
32
15
Stores of the captain and officers,
20
18
9
6
Clothing of the men, and weight of theboats,
} 18
15
13
9
Iron ballast,
146
90
55
20
Shingle or stone ballast,
60
24
18
10
Total weight of equipment,
814
579
280
12 6
Total weight of hull, &c.
1479
1162
546
266
Willet,