of the wave system, and by others; and the writer has observed of steam boats generally that they are fast or slow in proportion, as their form approximates to the wave form, or deviates from it.*

In sailing vessels also, and vessels of war, the writer has observed that other good qualities combined with speed have been exhibited in proportion as they have approached to, or receded from, the wave system of construction. This application, however, is still in its infancy, and it is therefore treated of more fully in the last lecture.

Since these remarks were written, a strong confirmation of the soundness of those views has been received from the complete success of the Enchantress, a yacht of 45 tons, built expressly on the wave lines, for the purpose of testing their applicability to vessels under canvass; not only did she prove herself in a heavy gale, between Cork and Dublin, to be an easy, weatherly, and dry vessel, when her companion was, in the same sea, thoroughly disabled; but, in a keen competition, with nine yachts, the best of their class, she carried away the hundred guinea cup from them all; thus proving that speed may be obtained without the sacrifice of the other good qualities of a ship. This is the second experiment of the system under canvass.† The appended extract gives the particulars of the trial.

*The remarks on the Great Britain have reference to her performance before she was altered; her speed is much greater now. (See Mechanic's Magazine.)

+ The Enchantress is the largest and the second sailing vessel of any importance,constructed on the wave principle; former applications having been chiefly made to steam vessels. She is a cutter-yacht of fortyfive tons, the property of S. Hodder, Esq. of Ringa Bella, County Cork. She was built at West Passage, near Cork, by Mr. Peasley, from the draft of Dr. Phipps, on the wave lines of Mr. Scott Russell. Her seagoing qualities were first tested in the end of 1845 by several cruizes in

Such are the views with which this collection of facts and principles is laid before the profession. Experience

the English Channel during rough weather, and all the unfavourable opinions to which the novelty of her form gave rise, were speedily corrected; as it was found that she pitched, scended, and rolled far less, and was drier than others of her class.

The

She was also found to steer and work with remarkable ease and quickness, which, from her full after-body and fine fore-body, was not generally expected. These facts are of importance, as illustrating the remarks of the author of these papers on the greater facility in turning, manifested by the wave vessel, even when of greater length. superior speed of the Enchantress was first fully displayed in the great match at Kingstown, in July, 1846, where she had to compete with a large number of the best yachts of England, Scotland, and Ireland,-for the Hundred Guinea Cup; offered by the Dublin and Kingstown Railway Company. Sixteen yachts entered for the race, nine of which started, and after a course of forty miles, she won the race by beating the Sultana of 100 tons, by 21 minutes; the Vision, of 45 tons, by 6 minutes; the Rose, of 40 tons, by 2 minutes. The Comet, of 60 tons, was disabled; and both the Enchantress and Vision met with casualties, which however did not prevent the former of these two, making up her lost time and winning. At the end of the race, as the wind freshened, it was observed, that she was gaining fast upon the yacht of 100 tons. The superior power of the Enchantress, during the race, was so manifest, that doubts were raised as to her real size, which was said to be much beyond her entered tonnage, but on measurement by the arbiters, her tonnage was found to be only 44 8 tons; so that the prize was at once awarded.

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In order to appreciate this victory, it is necessary to notice the character of the competing vessels. The Sultana, of 100 tons, was built by Mr. Ratsey, of Cowes, an eminent builder for the Royal Yacht Squadron, and this was one of his best. The Vision, 45 tons, is by Mr. Wanhill, of Poole, celebrated for his fast yachts in the Royal Thames Yacht Club, of which the Secret, Cygnet, and Heroine are good examples. This same Vision has since taken the Challenge Cup at Liverpool. The Rose, of 40 tons, is the last and best of Mr. Fife, of Fairley in the Clyde, and well known as the constructor of the finest yachts of Scotland.

Thus, it appears, good qualities as a sea-boat, may be combined with fast sailing in a high degree, and that, by aid of the wave principle, they have been so combined in actual practice.

ment.

has shewn that it is to the members of the profession themselves that we must mainly look for its advanceThe architect is dependant upon them for facts and experiments. If the author has shewn that there are no sufficient grounds for the complacency which exists in the minds of so many about the present state of Naval Construction, he will consider that he has not wasted his time in writing. The absolute necessity for the application of science once established, discussion within and without the profession would follow. The profession of the naval architect would cease to be almost the only one in which ignorance and empiricism are more highly prized than science and correct principles. Facts would be carefully observed. The defects with their causes in our present ships would be discovered; then when widely known, and thoroughly understood, it will be impossible for us to remain longer behind the rest of Europe in the formation of our ships; giving to the best crews in the world some of the worst instruments for the display of their bravery or the application of their skill.

LECTURE I.

SIR,

I LABOUR under peculiar difficulties in having to follow a member of the late school of Naval Architecture, and therefore hope for your indulgence, and further would beg to remind you that you cannot expect from me that facility of expression which belongs to long familiarity with the subject, as it is comparatively new to me, except indeed, as a sailor.

As Mr. Chatfield had the use of the models from Somerset House, I had hoped to have had that advantage also, but Sir Wm. Symonds "declined furnishing the models I required for private purposes."

I do not pretend to have discovered a new system of construction, but have been called on to explain one which has been proposed by another. From a conviction of its value I have endeavoured to get it introduced into Her Majesty's service, and it is for that reason I have been selected to explain it.

To Mr. John Scott Russell belongs the merit of the discovery of the system, generally known as the "wave system of construction," which I now propose to explain.

In order to make it intelligible, and shew how far it accords with known principles, it is necessary to shew how the several properties of ships are obtained, or at least to shew how far they are dependent upon form, and how far upon the disposition of weights.

Hydrostatic Stability. — Stability being the most important property in a vessel of war, I may proceed first to shew how this is effected by Form.

B