Chapter I: Preface

The following work has engaged my utmost application for some years. Several performances on the same subject have already appeared; as Sir H. Manwaring’s _Seaman’s Dictionary_; Boteler’s _Sea Dialogues_; Guillet’s _Gentleman’s Dictionary_, and Blanckley’s _Naval Expositor_, &c. Far from exhibiting an enlarged and comprehensive view of naval affairs, these productions are extremely imperfect, according to the very circumscribed plan which their authors have adopted. There are besides, the _Dictionaire de Marine_ of M. Aubin, published in Holland; and that of M. Saverien, published in France. These are indeed voluminous, but very deficient in the most necessary articles. Besides a circumstantial detail of the local oeconomy of different marine departments, they are swelled out with astronomy, navigation, hydrography, natural history, &c. all of which are abundantly better treated in other compositions. Of the machinery of a ship; the disposition of the rigging on her masts and yards; and the comparative force of her different mechanical powers, their accounts however are often vague, perplexed, and unintelligible.

With regard to her internal government in action; to the general regulations of the line of battle; and to the principal movements in sailing, they are almost totally silent. Had any of these works been executed with tolerable success, it might have rendered mine unnecessary; or probably have introduced it in the form of a translation.

I acknowledge with great pleasure the advantages I have derived in the prosecution of this work, from several authors of distinguished reputation: in reality however none of those above-mentioned are of the number. In that part which is dedicated to the theory and art of ship-building, I owe considerable obligations to the ingenious M. Du Hamel. The principal pieces used in the construction of a ship, together with their combination and disposition, are copiously and accurately described in his _Elements of Naval Architecture_: and his general account of the art itself is perspicuous and comprehensive. Many of his explanations I have therefore implicitly adopted.

In treating of the artillery, I have occasionally consulted _Le Blond_, _Muller_, and _Robins_, besides selecting some valuable materials from the manuscripts of officers of long experience and established reputation in that service. Whatever relates to the rigging, sails, machinery, and movements of a ship; or to the practice of naval war, is generally drawn from my own observations; unless where the author is quoted.

As there are abundance of books professedly written on astronomy, and the theory of navigation, I have totally omitted the terms of the former, as foreign to my plan; and slightly passed over the latter: because no reader could acquire a sufficient idea of those sciences from so partial a description. Many of the least important parts of a ship, as well as of her rigging, are very generally defined. To explain the track of every particular rope, through its different channels, would be equally useless and unintelligible to a land reader: to mariners it were superfluous: and even the youths who are trained to the sea, would reap little advantage from it; because their situation affords them much better opportunities of making these minute discoveries.

I have in general endeavoured to give the etymology of the most material expressions, unless when their evident analogy to common words rendered this unnecessary. Many reasons may be alledged for introducing the French sea-terms and phrases; particularly that obvious one, of understanding their pilots, when we may have occasion for their assistance. Wherever it was found necessary to explain one technical term by another, the latter is usually printed in italics the first time it is mentioned; so that the reader may refer to it for a further explanation.

As the plates of this publication were intended to illustrate the various objects to which they refer, they are little ornamented; but have in general the recommendation of simplicity and geometrical truth. In this part I have been particularly favoured with many original drawings, which are usually considered amongst the inaccessible _arcana_ of ship-building. They are much more numerous, useful, and correct, than what has hitherto appeared in any work of the kind. In fine, I have endeavoured, to the best of my judgment, to retrench the superfluities, and supply the deficiences of former writers on the same subject, as well as to digest and methodise whatever appeared loose or inaccurate therein.

This undertaking was first suggested to me by my worthy and ingenious friend George Lewis Scott, Esq; who considered it as a work of extensive utility, Indeed, in a country whose principal sources of strength are derived from the superiority of her marine, it is evidently wanted. I have the pleasure also to know that Sir Edward Hawke, and several officers of respectable abilities in our navy, are of the same opinion. To this may be added, what the celebrated M. Du Hamel lately observed, in a letter to me, _s_. I mention this expressly, because some sea-officers have considered the work unnecessary. It is however submitted, with all possible deference, to superior judges; to men of science and letters, who know the difficulty of explaining the parts of a mechanical system, when the readers are unacquainted with the subject.

A
LIST of the SUBSCRIBERS.

His Royal Highness the DUKE of GLOUCESTER.

His Royal Highness the DUKE of CUMBERLAND.

Right Hon. Lords Commissioners of the ADMIRALTY, as a Board.

A

Capt. Abdy, of the Navy

John Adam, Esq;

Robert Adam, Esq;

James Adam, Esq;

William Adam, Esq;

Alex. Anderson, Esq;

Capt. Alwright, of the Navy

Capt. Antrobus, ditto

Mr. Richard Atkinson, _2 copies_

London Assurance Office

Royal Exchange Assurance Office

B

His Grace the Duke of Beaufort

Right Hon. Earl of Berkeley

Right Hon. Lord Bottetourt

Right Hon. John Buller, Lord of the Admiralty.

Col. Bendyshe

Hon. George Berkeley

The Rev. Dr. Blair

Capt. Bentinck, of the Navy

Capt. George Bowyer, of ditto

Mr. Robert Baynes

Edward Hugh Boscawen, Esq;

William Glanville Boscawen, Esq;

John Boddington, Esq;

John Blair, Esq; Calcutta

Lieut. Henry Baynes

Lieut. T. P. Braithwaite

Lieut. James Bradley

Mr. J. Bourgh

Lieut. Geo. Baker

Capt. Brisac

Mr. Robert Bogle

Mr. William Brymer

Mr. James Barwell

Mr. William Berry

Mr. Burrel

Mr. Thomas Barwis

Charles Boddam, Esq;

Mr. Burgh

Mr. Robert Brown

John Bullock, Esq;

Theobal Burke, Esq;

C

Right Hon. Lord Cochran

Hon. H. S. Conway, Lieut. Gen. of the Ordnance, &c.

John Campbell, Esq; F.R.S. Capt. in the Navy

John Carter, Esq; Deal

John Cartwright, Esq;

Charles Cartwright, Esq;

Capt. Collin

Alexander Craufurd, Esq;

Lieut. R. P. Cooper

Mr. Henry Crawford

John Henry Cochran, Esq;

Henry Cort, Esq;

William Crighton, Esq;

General Clerk

Mr. Thomas Clerk

Mr. Duncan Clerk

Capt. John Campbell

D

Rear Admiral Sir James Douglas

Mr. Dalrymple

Mr. Robert Dallas, _2 copies_

George Dempster, Esq; _2 copies_

Lieut. George Dawson

Lieut. Richard Douglas

Mr. Duncan Davidson

Major Deaker

Mr. Edward Downes

Mr. John Delaton

Thomas Dunkerley, Esq;

Stillingfleet Durnford, Esq;

E

Right Hon. Earl of Edgcumbe

Right Hon. Earl of Egmont

Right Hon. Lord Elibank

Sir John Elwill

General Ellison

Arthur Edie, Esq;

Mr. John Ewer

F

Sir Thomas Frankland, Bart. Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron

Capt. Fanshaw

Sir Robert Fletcher, Kt.

Charles Ferguson, Esq;

Sir Adam Ferguson

Mr. John Finch

Mr. Francis Farrar

G

Right Hon. Earl of Gainsborough

Charles Gore, Esq;

Mr. John Gathorne

James Gordon, Esq; _2 copies_

Mr. Arch. Gairdner

John Gray, Esq;

Alexander Geddes, Esq;

Mr. William Gemmell

H

Right Hon. Earl of Home

Right Hon. Lord Viscount Howe

Right Hon. Sir Edw. Hawke, K. B. first Lord of the Admiralty, &c. &c.

Thomas Hanway, Esq; Commissioner of the Navy

Capt. John Hay, of the Navy

Mr. Samuel Hannay, _4 copies_

Sir Thomas Hesketh, Bart.

Col. Hale

Warren Hastings, Esq;

The Rev. Wm. Hirst, A.M. F.R.S. _2 copies_

John Hope, Esq;

Lieut. Charles Hope

Capt. Horne, of the East India Company

Capt. Hume, of ditto

John Hume, Esq;

Mr. John Hunter, of Lisbon

Lieut. Edmond Hawker

Lieut. Harry Harmood

Adam Hayes, Esq;

Dr. Harris

Mr. Hall

Mr. Hutton

Lieut. Harris

I

The Court of Directors of the East India Company

William Innis, Esq;

George Johnstone, Esq; _4 copies_

John Johnstone, Esq;

Mr. James Johnston

Lieut. Judd

K

Hon. Augustus Keppel, Rear Admiral of the blue squadron

Mr. Daniel Kemp

Mr. John Kendrick

L

Hon. Capt. Leveson

Sir John Lindsay, Capt. in the Navy

Lieut. Charles Logie

Francis Lucas, Esq;

William Lascelles, Esq; of the Inner Temple

Mr. S. Cousgarne Lloyd

Dr. Lawrence

Capt. Lauder, of the East India Company

Mr. Liddel

Mr. Lennox

M

Capt. Macbride, of the Navy

Mr. Colin Mackenzie, _2 copies_

Mr. Majendie

Major Mills

Richard Maitland, Esq;

Lieut. David Maitland

Lieut. James Macnamara

Lieut. Thomas Montagu, _2 copies_

Edward Meadows, Esq;

James Montresor, Esq;

Robert Mure, Esq;

Mr. James Mason

Mr. Mackworth

Mr. Robert Man

Mr. James Mather

Mr. William Myrtle

Mr. Money

James Mill, Esq;

Mr. John Mackintosh

N

The principal Officers and Commissioners of his Majesty’s Navy

Valentine Neville, Esq;

Mr. Francis Newton

Mrs. Sarah Norton

O

Charles Ogilvie, Esq;

Capt. Ommanney, of the Navy

Mr. Ousnam

P

Right Hon. Earl of Plymouth

Right Hon. Lord Palmerston, Lord of the Admiralty

Right Hon. Lord Pigot

Capt. Hugh Pigot, of the Navy

Mr. Simon Parry

Edward Payne, Esq;

The Rev. Hugh Panton, L. L. B.

Lieut. Henry Gibson Panton

Mr. Thomas Poynting

Mr. Paterson

Mr. John Perriman

Mr. Pitchford

Q

His Grace the Duke of Queensbury and Dover

R

Capt. Lockhart Ross, of the Navy

Capt. Joseph Rowley, of ditto

Capt. Reynolds, of the Navy

Dr. Charles Richardson

Capt. George Richardson, of the East India Company

S

Hon. Sir Charles Saunders, K. B. Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron

George Lewis Scott, Esq; F.R.S. _2 copies_

Robert Stewart, Esq;

Edward Salway, Esq;

Gordon Skelly, Esq;

Capt. Stott

Lieut. Patrick Stewart

Henry Smith, Esq;

Capt. Peter Stokes, of the East India Company

T

The Corporation of Trinity House

Capt. Tonyn, of the Navy

Lieut. Henry Tuite

Mr. William Trotter

Mr. Tais

Mr. Taulbert

Mr. William Tennant

Mr. Thomas Trower

Thomas Townshend, Esq;

V

The Commissioners for Victualling his Majesty’s Navy, as a Board

Hon. Capt. Raby Vane

His Excellency Count San-Vincent, Rear Admiral of Portugal

Henry Vansittart, Esq;

George Vandeput, Esq; Capt. in the Navy

W

Mr. Thomas Walker

Mr. John Way

Andrew Wilkinson, Esq;

Capt. Williams

Mr. William Wigginton, of Bristol

Capt. John Waddell, of the East India Company

Lieut. George Robinson Walters

Y

Rear Admiral Young

TABLE OF CONTENTS