Canvas

American Canvas is of two kinds — Phenix Mill and Cotton Duck.

1st The Phenix Mill Canvas is made from flax into bolts, 40 yards long, 20 inches wide; and the different qualities weigh as follows, viz:

No. 1, . . . 47 1-2 lbs.  Avoirdupois>No. 5, . . . 30 lbs.  Avoirdupois
No. 2, . . . 42 1-2 lbs.  Avoirdupois>No. 6, . . . 25 lbs.  Avoirdupois
No. 3, . . . 35     lbs.  Avoirdupois>No. 7, . . . 22 lbs.  Avoirdupois
No. 4, . . . 32 1-2 lbs.  Avoirdupois>No. 8, . . . 20 lbs.  Avoirdupois

The experiments of the Navy go to establish that 20 inches wide makes the strongest seam and the best sail, every way.

Vessels-of-war, according to their class, take as follows for a single suit of sails, viz:

A three-decker,>18,805 running Y'ds.>Frigate, 2d class>12,080 running Y'ds.
Ship of the line, 1st class,>18,479  "  ">Sloop, 1st ">9,637  " "
         "        2d    "   >17,171    "  ">   "   2d  ">8,275  "  "
Frigate,       1st  ">14,603    "     ">Schooner, 1st  ">3,102     "  "

2d. &'upper("Cotton Duck"), which is 22 inches wide, and numbers from one to eight; number one being the heaviest. There are several manufactories of this article. This is used mostly for fore-and-aft vessels. Occasionally, square rigged vessels have sails made of it; and lately, some East-Indiamen out of this port, have had whole suits of sails made of it.

&'upper("Holland Duck"). — Of this canvas there are two widths, 24 inch and 31 inch. This duck is now mostly used for square rigged vessels, for top-sails and courses. It was formerly much used on coasting vessels; (that is, sloops and schooners); but Cotton Duck being a closer canvas, holds the wind better, and coming something cheaper, now takes the precedence.

English Canvas. — Of which there are many kinds. The first order is the

Leith Duck. — It is 24 inches wide, and generally considered the best duck in use for square sails. Second to that is the &'upper("Navy Duck"). — This is also 24 inches wide, and for weight, (number one being the heaviest), numbers from that to eight. The number one is suitable for fore and main top-sails, fore courses, fore and main stay-sails, spencers, and brigs- trysails. No. two, for square main-sails, and mizen top-sails, for the largest size ships. No. three, for smaller class of vessels' square main-sails and mizen top-sails, and fore and main top-gallant sails, jibs and spankers of the largest size ships. No. four, for smaller class vessels' top-gallant sails and jibs. No's five and six, for flying jibs, top-mast and lower studding-sails, and mizen top-gallant sails. No's seven and eight, for top-gallant studding-sails, royals, and top-mast and top-gallant stay-sails.

&'upper("Russia Ducks"). — These are numerous. The three best which are put in the order of quality, and are suitable for the heavy sails of ships, brigs, &c., are D. Brusgins, I. Brusgins, and M. Zotoff. Next comes the Heavy Ravens Duck, which is used for mizen top-gallant sails, top-mast, and lower studding-sails; and, sometimes, for fore and main top-gallant sails and flying jibs of small brigs and schooners. The last is Ravens Duck; which is used for royals and top-gallant studding-sails. Most of the Russia Canvas is used for small vessels. It is not as much used as formerly.

Darcy Lever: The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor, 1863.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius

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