“This is to certify, that I have made several sails the patent way, and the method is much approved by those who have tried them. It is their opinion, that they will be a great deal stronger with the seams horizontal, and stand nearer the wind ; and it is also my opinion, as I have made some for our own ship (the Barbara and Ann) the patent way.
“Having had a jib and top-gallant-sail made on your patent plan (with horizontal cloths) for the Hero, I find it will be a great saving, from their longer duration, than the former mode of making sails.
“I would recommend the patent mode of making to every ship-owner, for their interest.
“To Captain Cowan.”
“The sails that were made for the Lark brig and Lochneil sloop (with horizontal cloths) answer my most sanguine expectations, and I have no doubt but they will last much longer than those made in the old way.
“To Captain Cowan.”
“This is to certify, that the John and Hero, both of Sunderland, have had several patent sails (with horizontal cloths) in constant wear for several months, and we so far approve of the mode of making them, that we intend for the future to have all the new sails that we get made after the patent mode, as they stand nearer the wind, and we think them much stronger.
(Signed)“T. Stafford, Master of the Hero.
(Signed)“J. Brown, Master of the John.”
“Mr. Cuthbert Vaux, owner of the brig Durham, ordered a patent fore-sail of Mr. Todd, sail-maker. Captain Ditchbourn, of the said ship, finds it.to answer, both for reefing and standing upon a wind, much better than the former way of making.
The 20th volume of the “Naval Chronicle” contains “an examination of the notion generally entertained by seamen, that the weakness or looseness of a vessel's frame makes her sail the faster.” This paper was written by Commander Cowan, and some pertinent remarks on it appeared in the “Athanaeum” for Feb. 1809[1]. He also suggested to the
- ↑ See Nav. Chron. vol. 21, pp. 138—143.
