I will endeavour to explain myself thus. Were it possible that as the ship passes through the water, the moment that it reached the step of the mizen mast, you could make it ice; the ship would leave as it were a dock, a lengthening space of hollow. That in fact while the bow cuts its way through and displaces the water, the stern part leaves a vacuum or space to be filled up. This will of course occasion a rush of the water there, and send it with an increased velocity to the rudder. Say the ship is going eight knots an hour through the water, what additional force this rush may give to the action of the rudder I cannot say; but as it is perpetual, continues so long, and in proportion to the ship's way, it must produce some effect.
Perhaps this may be one cause of the difference of steerage, between ships with extraordinary fine runs, and those with full ones. Reflect also on the different angle with which the water comes to the rudder, in a fine and in a full run. In the former it points to the rudder from before the mizem mast, in the latter many feet further aft.
In drawing attention to this theory, the object in view has been to suggest, that in fine weather, and tolerable way through the water, it is not necessary in ships constructed as to answer their helms readily, when in stays, ever to put the helm hard down.
In stays the moment the officer sees the ship will come round, he should give the order to stop the helm, to leave it as it then is. If after certain of her staying you put it still more down, you only deaden her way, prevent her shooting, and assist thereby to promote stern way.
Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius
Sjöhistoriska Samfundet | The Maritime History Virtual Archives.
Copyright © 1998 Lars Bruzelius.