322 An Account of the Tranfit,&c.[Nov.

create only a dead weight; and the fore-and-aft fails ſtand at the ſame angle with the wind, both below and aloft, which cannot be effected by the ordinary fore-and-aft fails. For inſtance, to make a cutter’s main-fail fand upon a wind, it is neceſſary to haul the boom in, almoſt fore-and-aft; thus, in effÆ@, rendering the foot of the fail nearly uſeleſs, in order to maké the- head of the fail ſerviceable. Moreover, a2 great degree of uniformity 18 produced in the preſlure of the wind upon the hull; and the fails fand ſo open, as not to take from each other's power. In ſhips upon the common conſtruction, there is ſuch a lapping of ftay-ſail over fſtay-ſail, that the one freguently deſtroys the efe of the other, in back and eddy winds. When fails are placed upon a greater number of maſts, the advantage not only confiſts in ſmall and commodious fails, that may be gybed with ſafety; but the ma- terials which ſupport them are comparatively cheaper, and þro- curable within the kingdom*."From a full view of all.the cir- cumſtances colleted, it will be ſeen, how eaſily and quickly the ſhip may be manœuvred; for to ſay, it is merely to put the helm down, and brace down the head-yards at the proper time, as is now done in a ſhip: this is the whole duty that is to be performed, as the after ſails muſt of neceſſity ſwing over of themſelves to their proper angle, for the other tack. Again, to veer, let fly the: ſheets of the three after-maſts; then proceed with the head fails, as is now done in a hip, gathering in the after-ſheets as the wind gets round upon the oppoſe guarter. Care ſhould be taken in veering, if it biow freſh, to brail up the after top-ſails, and to take in the mizén and guarter courſes. Laying-to is as readily performed, by juſt bracing aback the head-fails, and hauling in flat the after ſheets: and, at all times, the proper balance of helm may be produced, by taking in one or other of the after-fails. Reduction of fail in an eaſy and ſafe manner, is a matter of material moment in ſqually weather, In ſuch a caſe, the merely letting fly the maſt-ſheets of the fore- and-aft ſails, is an inſtant relief to all the after-maſts; the head- ſails only requiring particular aid and attention. As the maſts do not depend upon each other, nor upon the bowſprit, for their ſupport, ore maft may fall, without endangering or deſtroying the effec of the reſt. The capfern is brought forward, which ad- mits of much ſnugnefßs about the anchor geer, and much quicker heaving up than a windlaſs. j

No inconſfiderable ſhare of the ſucceſs of her firſt voyage from

* The large quantity of Larch,(a timber particularly well calculated for the maſts of the TRANSIT) which has been planted both in England and Scotland ot late years, will ſoon begin to produce an immenſe profit to the kingdom.‘There are ſeveral larches growing in front of the green-houſe in Kenſington gardens, which were planted by the hands oſ the preſent King, and are large enough for the purpoſes of maſts, y

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