DECK. 43 DECKEE. The half-deck then extended half the length of the ship or less, the quarter-deck being still shorter. The after pailial decks were connected with similar partial ones forward b3' gangways or narrow walks inside the ship's rail. As time went on, the forecastle became reduced in height and the partial decks became fewer in number, but the quarter-deck was only a partial one until after the beginning of the nineteentli century. For a long time the only partial decks above the upper, or spar, deck were those of the poop and topgallant forecastle, but the advent of the mod- ern ship with its high central superstructure changed this together with the entire deck nomenclature. In ships of the United Stjites Navy the highest deck which extends the full length of the ship is called the main deck; a partial deck above this is called the upper deck ; above this are the bridge decks, bridges, etc. The first deck below the main is called the gun deck if any of the main battery guns are mounted on it ; the next deck below the gun deck is the berth deck ; if there is no gun deck it is the next one below the main deck: the orlop deck is the next below the berth deck: and then the platform decks. The topgallant forecastle deck is the deck over a raised, or topgallant, forecastle: the poop deck, is the deck over the jjoop. The deck over superstructures is called the superstructure deck, hurricane deck, boat deck, texas, etc., ac- cording to the character of the vessel. A flush deck ii one that extends from bow to stern with- out a break. A protective deck (fitted in men- of-war only) is one designed to protect the vitals of a ship from being struck by a shell or injured by fragments of one which bursts on board. If flat and laid over the upper edges of an armor belt, it is frequently called the armor deck. The ordinary type of protective decks consists of a flat portion amidships and sloping parts at the sides. The side slope may be a curve, a straight slope, or two short straight slopes ; the inclina- tion downward is at an angle of 30° to 4.5° and the lower edge of the deck where it meets the ship's side is several feet under water, in order that a projectile shall not get underneath it when the ship is rolling. Both the flat and slop- ing parts of protective decks are armored, the latter much more heavily, reaching a thickness of six inches in large protected and armored cruisers. DECK, Theodore (182.'?-9I). A French cera- mist, born at Gebweiler. Alsace. After studying physics and chemistry, he made an extensive tour through central Europe, and subsequently be- came director of a factory of faience-ware in Paris, where he conducted independent experi- ments in ceramics. After several years he suc- ceeded in reproducing not only the famous faience of Oiron. but also fine specimens of Persian and Chinese ware, such as Celadon. During the last three years of his life he was director of the factory at Sevres. DECK'EN, ArcusTE vox dee (1828—). A German novelist, known under the pen-name of Auguste von der Elbe. She was born at Blcckede. Her novels, several of which enjoy great popu- larity, include: Chronika eines fahrendcn Schiilers, which has passed through seven edi- tions (latest edition, 1894) ; Onkel Wilhelms Gdste (1899); and Seekonigs Tochter (1900). Vol. VI —4. DECKIIN, Kabl Klaus von deb (1833-65). A German African explorer, born at Kotzen, Brandenburg. He was for a time in the military seriee of Hanover, and in 1801, in company with Thornton, an English geologist, undertook a journey of African exploration from ^Mombasa to the volcanic mountain of Kilimanjaro. In 1802 he ascended the mountain to a height of over 14,000 feet, and in the following year made an extended voyage about the African coast. His final explorations were begun in February, 1865. Aith a large and well-equipped expedi- tion he attempted the ascent of the Juba River, but by reason of unnavigable rapids, was forced to take the land, and on October 2d, was mur- dered by the Somali at Berbera. Despite the hostility of the natives, most of his companions succeeded in reaching Zanzibar. The .scientific collections of the expedition were presented to the University of Berlin, and its results were described by Kersten and others in Karl Klaus von der Deckens Reisen in Ostafrika lSo9-6.5 (4 vols., 1SG9-T9). DECK'ER, I^^BL vox (1784-1844). A Prus- sian general and author, born in Berlin. He took a prominent part in the campaigns of 1813- 15. He was a director in the Prussian Topo- graphical Bureau, and for many years a lecturer at the General Jlilitary Academy. By his in- cessant activity and his numerous works, he greatly stimulated the interest in, and the ex- tension of, a scientific military education, and this he accomplished in the face of serious oppo- sition. His theories on artiller.v were attacked by his countrymen, but the principle of the of- fensive which he strongly advocated found ef- fective illustration in the campaign of 1870-71. His works include Der kleine Krieg (4th ed. 1844) and Taktik der drei Waff en (3d ed. 1851-54). DECKER, Sir iM^TTHEW (1679-1749). A political economist and free-trader, born in Am- sterdam, Holland. He went to London in 1702, vas naturalized as an English subject in the fol- lowing year, and having embarked in commerce, attained the greatest success; received a baro- netcy in 1716, and three years afterwards took his seat in Parliament as member for Bishop's Castle. He sat in the House, however, only four years. His death took place Jlarch 18. 1749; the baronetcy then became extinct, and his daughters succeeded to his estates. Decker was the reputed author of two pam- phlets which appeared anonymously during his lifetime, and which ran through several editions, and provoked much acrimonious controversy. In one he proposed to raise all the public supplies from one single tax — namely, a tax upon houses. According to Decker's calculation, there were then in England, exclusive of Wales. 1,200.000 hotises; of these he meant to tax only one-half, counting off 500.000 as inhabited by the working classes, and 100,000 as being uninhabited. By this means he proposed to raise an annual reve- nue of £6,000.000. which sum was £1.000.000 more than the expenses of the Government of that day required. The surplus was to be ap- plied as a sinking fund for the purpose of dis- charging debt. The same idea is found in the second essay, which discussed England's foreign trade and the means of improving it.
