HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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Hlthertb descriptive argument has but very trivially extended beyond thoseproperties which peculiarly relate to ships or vessels adapted to the purposes ofwar; but they will be found no less productive of advantage when applied to such

as

strain the vessel, the wells, decks, beams, or sides, or are in the least attended with any bad consequence ;but on the contrary, when down, make the vessel much easier and prevent her rolling so quick : and wedo further certify, that we never weie in any vessel of her size and draft of water that sailed faster orcarried a greater press of sail, or made better weather: and we also certify, that such of the seamen whohave sailed in cutters, say, that they never were in one so dry, or that made such good weather: wefurther certify, it is our opinion, that if the four bulkheads in the hold were taken away, andher mast and sails were in proportion to her tonnage, and that she was coppered, notwithstanding her un-common strength, sf\e would sail much faster than she now does : and we also certify, that from the thirdinstant to the date hereof, we have never been in company with any vessel (the Alarm Custom-houselugger excepted), that we can with justice say has beaten theTrial: we further certify, that we came intoTeignmouth in order to satisfv ourselves with respect to the condition of the wells, and keels, before wereported the vessel to their Lordships ; and having cleared the hold near them, do not find that they arein the least degree affected or do leak, or are even damp : and lastly we certify, that we have attendedstrictly to the instructions given us by Captain Schank, and have found them, with his observations, toprove the utility of the keels, and their effects on the vessels working and sailing, all which we hope willmeet with their Lordships approbation.

(Signed) Micajah Malbon, Lieutenant and Commander.

William Milne, Master.

Trial, Teignmouth, William Mallet, Midshipman.

2lst Feb. 1791. J°hn Wright, Midshipman.

Questions put by Captain Scliank to Mr. William Milne, Master of his Majesty’s Cutter Trial, with

his Answers thereto, 15th April, 1791.

How long have you been at sea in the Trial ?

A. Two months and a half.

Did you understand the nature or effect of the keels before I explained them to you ?

A. I had very little idea of them.

What opinion had you of them before you sailed and made trial of them ?

A. My opinion was, after having heard you explain the nature of them, that they would have thedesired effect.

Ch Does the Trial steer, as well as any other vessel you have been in, with her keels down ?

A. She steers preferable to any vessel I ever sailed in when her keels are down.

Q. Does she steer equally well with them all up ?

A. She does.

Q. What do you observe to be the effect of the fore keel ?

A. It makes her veiy quick in stays.

What do you observe to be the effect of the after keel ?

A. Witk