commencing with the Princessa in 1740,-the Invincible, the Commerce de Marseilles, and many others, formed models for the construction of several vessels which were, nevertheless, sometimes inferior to their originals. One of the principal advantages derived from this system was an increase in the size of our ships, which gave better accommodation and fighting quarters, more stability and greater speed, while it afforded scope for the builder to make improvements in his design, from which he would otherwise have been debarred. Indeed, until Sir Wm. Symonds became Surveyor of the Navy, the tonnage of ships was restricted according to the number of their guns; and the relaxation of these pernicious and shortsighted regulations enabled him and future designers to follow out their ideas with more freedom than their predecessors, and thus to make great advances in the construction of ships-of-war. The great desideratum of a line-ofbattle ship without ballast has been accomplished,—the length has been considerably increased; and White has introduced his long bows with as much success as Sir Robert Seppings did his circular sterns. These last, and the still later elliptical sterns, however, demand further notice from us, as involving important alterations in the actual putting together of the timbers, which now form as compact and well-fitted a frame about the stern-post as at the stem. In the old sterns the whole stress was borne by the transoms, especially the wing transom, which alone connected the two sides of the ship, and sustained the upright timbers. Now, the whole system of framing is adjusted accurately, with each part in mutual dependence on the rest; not subject to the severe strains which a rectangular form occasioned, and was unable to resist, but bound together as a strong arch and not to be disturbed by any pressure. Guided by the same principles, Sir Robert substituted everywhere the triangle for the rectangle, and thus strengthened his ships by a diagonal RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. 351 system of trussing, applied inside the planking, and bolted through to the timbers, so as to divide the inner surface into a series of triangles; but this trussed frame has since been superseded by iron riders, which do not so greatly increase the weight of the ship, nor so much diminish the space for stowage. The introduction of steam-vessels has materially modified the relative dimensions given to the various parts of vessels, particularly increasing their length so as to diminish the resistance to onward pressure, and frequently giving extremely sharp bows, with flat bottoms or "floors." The imperfections of theory, and the difficulties of experiment, have long retarded naval architecture; but of late years it has made unparalleled strides, and we trust it will continue to advance rapidly towards perfection. This desirable end would be greatly furthered by systematically recording the results of all experiments, and by a digest of the qualities of vessels, so that we might the more easily profit by past failures or successes. While, however, we cannot but lament that so many valuable facts as have no doubt been allowed to pass unnoticed should not have been treasured up for our benefit, we must rejoice at the efficient state in which the signal to " prepare for action" has found the "Wooden Walls of Old England." Our Dockyards, notwithstanding the number of experiments made to test new principles, scarcely ever turn out a ship which is not a credit to the nation, and there is every reason to hope that efficient vessels will be produced with increased certainty and facility every year. G. W. S. THE ROYAL ALBERT. THIS noble ship, undoubtedly the most perfect specimen. of a first-class three-decker hitherto constructed, was built at Woolwich by the late Mr. Oliver Lang, for many years the respected master-shipwright of that dockyard. Of stupendous size, but elegant proportions, she is an example of the improved construction of the present day, uniting extraordinary strength with beauty of form and roominess of quarters. The use of iron is daily becoming more general in the royal navy. Hempen cables, which were apt to chafe and cut upon a rocky or coral bottom, have been superseded by chain cables, each about 150 fathoms long. The iron tanks which contain the water, and preserve it pure, were not in use during the late war; and the still greater improvement of distilling fresh water from the sea, first adopted by the French, is a prodigious economy of space. It saves the principal part of the main hold, formerly filled by perhaps 500 tons of water, and, with a small additional length to the vessel, leaves room sufficient to hold the engine, stoke-hole, and boilers. By an improved disposition of the various hatchways in the Royal Albert large numbers of her crew will be able to repair instantly on deck, on any sudden emergency, or to board an enemy. Provision is also made for the rapid passage of powder from the magazine, and for conveying, without confusion, during the heat of an engagement, the various ammunition requisite for the different decks armed with guns of dissimilar calibre; and every facility is afforded for the prompt removal of the wounded to the fore and after cockpits. The Royal Albert is 220 feet long on her lower deck, and 60 feet 10 inches wide in her greatest breadth. Her length of keel is 180 feet; her depth of hold, 25 feet; and her height from keel to taffrail, 65 feet. She is pierced for 140 guns, and carries 131, placed as follows:-32 sixtyeight pounders on her lower or gun-deck, each gun weighing 65 cwt., and measuring 9 feet long; 34 thirty-two pounders on her middle-deck; 34 thirty-two pounders on her maindeck; and on the quarter-deck 16 thirty-two pounders. The forecastle is furnished with 14 thirty-two pounders, and one large gun, weighing 95 cwt., and measuring 10 feet in length, on a traversing carriage, shifting on fighting centres, and throwing a shot of 68 pounds. The Royal Albert is thus able to discharge a broadside weight of 4000 lbs. Her crew, including officers, seamen, and marines, will consist of a thousand men. For the sustenance of this company, she will stow for six months of the following articles, viz., bread, beef, pork, flour, suet, raisins, butter, cheese, sugar, cocoa, tea, lime-juice, tobacco, barley, peas, oatmeal, rum, wine, vinegar, oil, candles, soap, and slops (¿. e. seamen's clothing), a total weight of 296 tons 4 cwt. For warlike purposes she will carry 125 tons 15 cwt. of shot and cases, and 32 tons 5 cwt. of gunpowder. To these must be added the weight of guns and carriages, amounting to upwards of 300 tons. And yet, so vast is the space, that this enormous bulk is hardly apparent, and everywhere we find abundant air, daylight, and room. A thousand men can live with comfort on board; and, should the necessity arise, her 131 guns will be manned as efficiently and as easily as the like number of fieldpieces would be handled on shore. Besides her crew, she has accommodation for five or six hundred troops. Her main-mast is 124 feet 8 inches long, by 40 inches in diameter. The main-topmast is 75 feet 6 inches, and the main-topgallant, with the pole above, rises 55 feet :-a total height from keel to truck of 256 feet 2 inches, or a |