344

HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

the limits of that individual and particular division in the hold, so that the water whichwould be admitted, even were it suffered to remain, would not sensibly affect theworking of the vessel in any way whatever. The peculiar form of the hull,” addsits ingenious inventor, “ prevents it from oversetting at sea in a gale of wind ja misfortune which, though happily not very common, yet sometimes occasionsthe loss of a sharp-built ship. To the advantages just mentioned, may be addedthat almost inestimable one which a vessel requiring little water possesses overone of superior draught, in being enabled to pass in safety over those very rockaand shoals which would prove fatal to the other; and to draw, without fear,so near to the shore in shallow water, that the lessened violence and weightof the sea can effect little or no injury against it.”

The reasons already given in support of the opinion why flat-floored vessels,fitted with bulk heads as before described, would be infinitely less liable tototal loss, in case of their being stranded or wrecked, than those of a sharperform or mould, may be applied with equal success to the case of springing aleak at sea, notwithstanding the situations are so materially different. In thefirst-stated species of misfortune, a ship is supposed to be forced on the shoreby the sea, the wind, or the tide. In the latter, it is considered to be pro-ceeding on its voyage, in the center perhaps of the ocean, and at a veryconsiderable distance from the land: in such a situation no disaster can bemore terrifying and alarming, than a leak in any degree violent. Frequent in-stances h ve occurred where the crews of ships, overtaken by a sudden despon-dency, in consequence of the intervention of so fatal an accident, have refusedto make any further efforts for the preservation of the ship, or even of their ownlives. “ If, however,” says Captain Schank, “ a vessel be fitted with bulkheads rendered water-tight, the division in which the leak has taken place mayeasily be discovered; and when, on trial, the pumps shall be found incapableof clearing it without such'continued labour as the crew is incapable of sus-taining, means must be taken to remove such part of the cargo as will enablethe carpenter and his people to get at the leak ; when, by keeping the ship dryfor a very short time only, as may be done in almost every accident of thissort that takes place, the leak may, in general* be at least very considerably re-duced, if not completely stopped.”

On the other hand, in vessels built according to the common mode of con-struction, the situation of the leak may remain for a long time undiscovered ; andeven when found out, is rarely to be stopped, either within board or at- sea. “ Sup-posing,