William Sutherland
(c1685-1740), English master caulker at Sheerness
'Tis the Product of 32 Years Study and Experience; for 'tis very well known
that I have been so long imploy'd in her Majesty's Service, and that of her
Royal Predecessors; so that I may say, I was in a manner born a Seaman, as
most of my Ancestors were. My Grandfather was Foreman to the Shipwright in her
Majesty's Yard at Deptford 30 Years, my Uncle Mr. Bagwell died
Master Builder of her Majesty's Yard at Portsmouth, my Father and
several of my Relations were Master Carpenters in the Royal Navy, and I myself
have had the Honour to act in the Quality of Master Carpenter of three of her
Majesty's Ships, and for 15 Years last past have served her Majesty, in the
Inspction and Direction of the Work done by part of the Shipwrights at
Portsmouth and Deptford Yards. During which time I have made it my
Study to forward Youth, and make them expert in the Art of Shipbuilding.
- c1685
- Born.
- 1740
- Died.
Printed Works
- 1711
- The Ship-Builders Assistant: or, some Essays
Towards Compleating the Art of Marine Architecture: viz.
I. A General Introduction, wherein is consider'd the Solid of
Least Resistance, so far as relates to the Formation of
a Ship's Body, &c.
II. Observations for Regulating the Price of Timber,
taken from the Proportion of its different Dimensions;
with Estimates of the Value of Oak Timber, and several other
Materials relating to Naval Stores.
III. Rules for Building the Hull of any Sort of Ships. To
which is added the Scantling or Measuring of Ship-Timbers,
and some Directions about Moulding them.
IV. A New Method for finding the Tunnage of any Ship.
V. Rules for Proportioning the Rigging.
To which is Annexed, an Explication of the Principal Terms
used in this Art.
The whole Illustrated with many Schemes
proper to each Part, most of them from Copper Plates.
Printed for R. Mount, A. Bell & R. Smith, London, 1711 (1st).
-4to, 16×11 cm, (12), 165 pp, ill., 13 fold. plates
(some coloured).
Facsimile: Jean Boudriot Publications, Rotherfield, 1989.
A cancellandum titlepage has the imprint: Printed for
A. Bell … and R. Smith …
Other editions 1721 (?), 1726 (2nd), 1740, 1755, 1766, 1784,
1794 and 1840.
References: Private Collection*; MaB*; PEM*; NMM;
RCA Bibl; NUC; Adams.
- 1717
- Britain's Glory: or, Shipbuilding Unvail'd
being a general Director for building and completing the said
Machines.
Printed for Tho. Norris, Eben. Tracy, Arthur Bettesworth, &
Benj. Pickard, London, 1717 (1st). Folio, 27×14.5 cm, fp,
xxvi, 134, (4), ill., 6 fold. plates.
The second part Prices of the Ship-Building Adjusted
printed the same year. See below.
Other editions 1722, 1725, 1726, 1729 and 1740.
References: Private Collection*; MaB*; NMM; Adams.
- 1717
- Prices of the Shipbuilding Adjusted:
or, the Mystery of Ship-Building Unveiled. Being a Brief
Explanation of the Value of the Labouring Part in Ship-Building;
from a Ship of the biggest Magnitude to a small boat.
First, Shewing the Working the whole Ship, according to the
Length, Breadth, Depth and Girth; and then by Sub-divisions
shews the value of every particular Part.
D.L., London, 1717. Folio, 27×14,5, 286 pp, ill.
Second part of Britain's Glory: or, Shipbuilding
Unvail'd, 1717.
References: Private Collection*; Adams.
- 1722
- Britain's Glory: or, Shipbuilding Unvail'
being a general Director for building and completing the said
Machines.
J. Clark, London, 1722. 35 cm, xxvi, 286 pp.
The 1717 edition reissued with a new titlepage pasted onto
the stubbs of the old one.
First edition 1717.
References: NMM; Library Company of Philadelphia/NUC;
RCA, MM 38 (1952), p 231.
- 1725
- Britain's Glory; or Ship-Building Unvail'd.
Mount and Page, London, 1725. 4to, ?? pp.
First edition 1717.
Possibly a misprint for 1726.
References: Sotheby's sale 9 July 1909. Lot 719 [MM 72, p 478].
- 1726
- Britain's Glory: or, Ship-Building
Unvail'd, being a General Director, for Building and
Compleating the said Machines.
John Clarke, London, 1726 (2nd). 4to, 29x18 cm, xxvi, 134 pp,
ill. & (4), 286 pp, ill.
Two parts in one volume, part one is second edition, part
two from 1717. First edition 1717.
References: KÖS*; NUC; Adams
- 1726
- The Shipbuilders Assistant: or, some
Essays towards completing the Art of Marine Architecture, viz.
I. A General Introduction, wherein is considered the Solid of
least Resistance, so far as relates to the Formation of a
Ship's, Body &c.
II. Observations for regulating the Price of Timber taken
from the Proportion of its different Dimensions; with
Estimates of the Value of Oak Timber, and several other
Materials relating to Naval Stores.
III. Rules for building the Hull of any Sort of Ships. To
which is added, the Scantling or Measuring of Ship-Timbers,
and some Directions about Moulding them.
IV. A New Method for finding the Tunnage of any Ship.
V. Rules for Proportioning the Rigging. To which is Annexed,
An Explication of the Pricipal Terms used in this Art.
The Whole Illustrated with many Schemes proper to each Part,
most of them from Copper Plates.
Thomas Page, William & Fisher Mount, London, 1726 (2nd). 4to,
17,5×11 cm, (8), 164 pp, ill., 13 fold. plates (some col.).
Adams record the publishers as: T. Page & F. Mount.
Identical to the first edition of 1711 except for the
dedication which have been deleted.
References: MaB*; &tmm.; NMM; RCA Bibl; Adams.
- 1729
- Britain's Glory: or, Shipbuilding
Unvail'd, being a general Director, for building and
completing the said Machines.
A. Bettesworth & S. Fitzer & E. Midwinter, London, 1729 (2nd).
34,5 cm, xxvi, 134 pp, ill & 286 pp.
Two parts in one volume, part two printed 1717.
Reissue of first edition from 1717, except for title page and
frontispice.
References: &ph.; NMM; NUC.
- 1740
- Britain's Glory, or Shipbuilding Unvail'd
being a general Director for building and completing the said
Machines.
W. Mount and Thos. Page, London, 1740 (3rd). ?? pp,
? plates.
First edition 1717, other editions 1726, and 1729.
Part II dated 1717 and page numbered as first edition.
References: &tmm.; RUSI/RCA Bibl.; Adams.
- 1740
- The Ship-Builders Assistant: or, some Essays
Towards Compleating the Art of Marine Architecture: viz.
I. A General Introduction, wherein is consider'd the Solid of
Least Resistance, so far as relates to the Formation of
a Ship's Body, &c.
II. Observations for Regulating the Price of Timber,
taken from the Proportion of its different Dimensions;
with Estimates of the Value of Oak Timber, and several other
Materials relating to Naval Stores.
III. Rules for Building the Hull of any sort of Ships. To
which is added, the Scantling or Measuring of Ship-Timbers,
and some Directions about Moulding them.
IV. A New Method for finding the Tunnage of any Ship.
V. Rules for Proportioning the Rigging.
To which is Annexed, an Explication of the Principal Terms
used in this Art.
The whole Illustrated with many Schemes
proper to each Part, most of them from Copper Plates.
By William Sutherland, Shipwright and Mariner.
Printed for William Mount and Thomas Page, London, 1740. 8vo, (6), 164 pp, 13 fold. plates.
First edition 1711.
References: Ten Pound Island Cat. 105:179.
- 1755
- The Ship Builder's Assistant; or, Marine
Architecture. Containing
I. The method of Extracting the
Square and Cube Roots, Geometry and Mensuration: Wherein all
the Rules necessary for measuring Plank, Timber, and finding
the Tunnage of Ships, are laid down in a very plain and
conspicuous Manner; and illustrated by proper Examples.
II. Observations on the Nature and Value of Timber;
with a New Method of procuring it in the necessary Forms for
Ship-Building.
III. The method of Drawing the Plans of Ships, and moulding
their Timbers; together with all the practical Rules
necessary to be observed in Building the Hulls of all Sorts
of Ships. To which is added, the Scantling or Mensuration
of Ships Timbers.
IV. Directions for making the Masts and Yards of a just
Proportion to the Ship, and also to one another, both with
regard to Length and Thickness. With Tables of the Weights
and Sizes of Anchors and Cables, according to the New
Establishment.
V. The Boatswains Art: Shewing the Method of finding exactly
the Length and Thickness of every Rope; Also Cable and
Cordage Tables, shewing by Inspection the Weight of any Rope,
whose Length and Thickness are given.
With some Directions for Cutting out Sails.
The Whole
Illustrated with a great Variety of Figures and Draughts,
Engraven on Copper-Plates.
Printed for W. & J. Mount, T. Page & Son, London, 1755 (3rd).
4to, 17,5×10.5 cm, viii, 150 pp, 8 fold. plates.
An explanation of the principle terms used in this
treatise on pp 140-150.
First edition 1711.
References: MaB*; PEM*; Francis Edwards 786;
RCA Bibl.; NUC; Adams.
- 1766
- The Ship-Builder's Assistant; or, Marine
Architecture. Containing
I. The Method of Extracting the
Square and Cube Roots, Geometry and Mensuration: …
II. Observations on the Nature and Value of Timber; …
III. The Method of drawing the Plans of Ships, and moulding
their Timbers …
IV. Directions for making the Masts and Yards of a just
Proportion to the Ship, …
V. The Boatswains Art: …
With some Directions for Cutting out the Sails.
The Whole illustrated with Figures and Draughts, Engraven on
Copper-Plates.
By William Sutherland, shipwright and mariner.
J. Mount & T. Page, London, 1766 (4th rev). 4to, 16×10,5 cm,
viii, 156 pp, 3 fold. plates.!
All eight plates present in the 1755 edition have been
deleted and all references to them in the text have been
replaced. Instead three folding plates, of a longboat, a
merchant ship, and a 64-gun ship have been introduced.
In addition to other minor changes from the 1755 edition most
of the chapter Of Beauty has been replaced with
instructions on how to lay down a 64-gun ship.
Pp 146-156: An explanation on the principal terms used in
this treatise.
First edition 1711.
References: KÖS*; NSM*; PEM*; &ph.;
NUC; RCA Bibl; Adams.
- 1784
- The Ship-Builder's Assistant; or, Marine
Architecture. Containing,
I. Decimals, the Extraction of the
Square and Cube Roots, also, Geometry and Mensuration: With
Rules for finding the Content of Plank and Timber, also, the
Tunnage of Ships; illustrated by proper Examples.
II. Observations
on the Nature and Value of Timber, and how to procure it in
necessary Forms for Ship-Building.
III. The Method of drawing Plans
of Ships, and moulding their Timbers; with the practical Rules
to be observed in building the Hulls of different Ships: To
which is added, the Scantling or Dimensions of Ships
Timbers.
IV. Directions for making Masts and Yards in just
Proportion to the Ship, and to each other. Also Tables of
the Weights and Sizes of Anchors and Cables, according to the
New Establishment.
V. The Boatswains Art: Shewing the Method
of finding the Length and Thickness of every Rope. Also
Cable and Cordage Tables, shewing by Inspection the weight of
any Rope. With Directions for Cutting Out Sails.
The Whole
revised, corrected, and illustrated with many Copper-Plates.
Mount and Page, London, 1784 (5th). -4to, 18×12 cm,
iv, 156 pp, 11 fold. plates.
Caravan and Francis Edwards records 10 plates.
First edition 1711.
The IX chapter Of Beauty which was deleted in the
1766 edition has been included again. Most of the text on
laying down a 64-gun ship has been deleted as has the chapter
on Measuring of Ships.
Pp 148-156: An explanation of the principle Terms, used
in this Treatise.
References: PEM*; RCA Bibl; Adams; Caravan 240;
Francis Edwards 839:1055.
- 1794
- The Ship Builder's Assistant, or Marine
Architecture: (Revised and Improved) Containing
I. The Method of extracting the Square and Cube Roots,
Geometry and Mensuration; …
II. Observations on the Nature and Value of Timber; with
a new method of procuring it in the necessary Forms for Ship
Building.
III. The Method of Drawing the Plans of Ships, and moulding
their Timbers; …
IV. Directions for making the Masts and Yards of a just
Proportions to the Ship, …
V. The Boatswains Art: … With some directions for
cutting out Sails.
The Whole illustrated with a great Variety of Figures and
Draughts, engraven on Copper Plates.
Mount & Davidson, London, 1794 (6th rev). 8vo, 17,5×12 cm,
viii, 152 pp, 10 fold. plates.
With the exception of preliminaries a reprint of 1784
edition.
The 1794 edition in the Peabody Essex Museum is not identical to
1784 edition in the same museum.
First edition 1711.
Pp 143-152 is a dictionary.
References: Private Collection* [text only]; NSM*; SMG*; PEM*;
RCA 11 plates; Francis Edwards 732:1135 has 12 plates;
NUC records only 8 plates; SSHM; Adams.
- 1840
- The Shipbuilder's Assistant, or Marine
Architecture (Revised and Improved) ….
C. Wilson, London, 1840. 4to, diagrams.
First edition 1711.
Reprint of the 1784 edition. Still retaining the rigging
tables from the first edition and which were taken from
Miller's The Complete Modellist first published in
1660.
References: Scott 3426/RCA Bibl; Caravan 156:273;
References:
W. Salisbury: Some Notes on Sutherland's "Shipbuilder's
Assistant" , MM 49 (1963), pp 146-147.
Updated 1996-10-29 by
Lars Bruzelius
Sjöhistoriska Samfundet |
The Maritime History Virtual Archives.
Copyright © 1996 Lars Bruzelius.