HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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per harbour or road where they may meet with shelter; while those in which thenew system is adopted, will scarcely pass a single creek or inlet where they mayexperience the sought-for protection and refuge. Nor does the inconvenience of

the

also the different qualities of the vessel, according to the best accounts they may be able to collect fromher officers in the various trials they have made of her : and you will also direct them t« consider, and reportto you whether the repairing of vessels so constructed will be attended with great difficulty, and whetherthey will be more or less expensive than vessels of the old construction ; and when you have receivedand maturely considered the said reports, and received such explanations from Captain Schank as youmay think necessary, you are to transmit to us copies thereof, with your opinion of the advantages thatmay be derived to his Majesty’s service from the invention above mentioned. We are,

Your affectionate friends,

(Signed) Chatham,

Hood,

J, M, Townshend.

According to this order, the Trial Cutter was taken into Woolwich dock-yard, and there inspected ;and the officers belonging to her were distinctly and separately examined also. After which, thefollowing report was made to the Navy Board, by the persons empowered to inspect the vessel andexamine the officers.

Honourable Sirs, Woolwich Yard, 15th April, 1792.

In obedience to your order of the 16th inst. we have taken his Majesty’s armed vessel into a dock,on blocks five feet high, and have very carefully inspected the vessel, wells, and sliding keels, andcannot discover the least defect in either.

We are of opinion vessels so constructed vs ill be a little more expensive than Others; but may be re-paired without any difficulty.

Inclosed you will receive the questions with their answers. And remain,

Honourable Sirs,

Your most obedient servants,

* (Signed) J. Gilbert,

J. Dann,

Richard Provvsc,

M. Ware,

J. Fiankland,

William Rule,

Honourable Navy Board. Henry Peake.

Questions put separately to Lieutenant Malbon, and Mr. William Milne, of the Trial Cutler, withtheir answers, being the inclosure alluded to by the foregoing letter.

Question 1. How long have you belonged to the Trial Cutter ? ! -

Lieutenant. Sixteen months.

Master* Sixteen months. - ■ . * ;

5 . What