V N T R O D U C T I O N.
pofition in the water (ufually ftyled her Trim-), and the dilpofition
o f her fails in the moil advantageous manner, are- articles, wherein
the knowledge o f mechanics cannot but be greatly afliftant.
And, perhaps, the application o f this kind o f knowledge to naval
fubje&s may produce as great improvements in failing, and working
a Ihip, as it has already done in many other matters conducive
to the eafe and convenience of human life ; lince, when the fabric
o f a Ihip and the variety of her fails are confidered, together with
the artificial contrivances for adapting them to her different motion
«, as it cannot, be doubted but thefe things have been brought
about b y more than ordinary fagacity- and invention; fo neither
can it be doubted but that, in fome conjunctures, a fpeculative
and fcientific turn o f mind may find out the means of directing
and difpofing this complicated mechanifm much more advantage-
oufly than can be done by mere habit, or by a fervile copying of
what others may perhaps have erron.eoully pradtifed in limilar
emergencies. But it is time to finilh this digreflion, and to leave
the reader to the perufal o f the enfuing work ; which, with how
little art foever it may be executed, will yet, from the importance
o f the fubjedt, and the utility and excellence of the materials, merit
fome (hare o f the Public attention.
A VO Y A G E
A
V O Y A G E
R O U N D T H E
W O R L D .
B O O K I .
C H A P I.
Of the equipment o f the fquadron : The incidents
relating thereto, from its firft appointment, to its
fetting fail from S t. Helens.
THE fquadron under the command o f Mr. A n fo n (of which
I here propole to recite the mod material proceedings)
having undergone many changes. in its deification,
its force, and its equipment, during the ten months between
its original appointment and its final failing from St. H e le n s ;
I conceive the hiftory o f thefe alterations is a detail necelfary to
be made public, both for the honour o f thofe who firft planned
and promoted this enterprize, and for the juftification o f thofe
who have been entrufted with its execution : lince it will from
B hence