retaining the existing position of her three present masts, I so arranged the canvas that the new mast might step in the stoke-hole, midway, or nearly so, between the funnels.

As in the "Warrior," however, there is a margin of seven feet as to the position of the mainmast, without interfering with the other existing arrangements, I have here shown the "Warrior's" mainmast where I propose to place it-namely, 7 feet abaft its present position. The mizenmast and bowmast" would occupy the position of the present mizen. mast and foremast respectively, while I should propose that, all the available space being interposed between the funnels, they might then stand about 50 feet apart, with the new foremast just midway between them.*

This I propose as a starting-point; but, if calculation should determine some other position to be more desirable for the foremast, it would be valuable in any part of the stoke-hole as a ready and powerful means of ventilation, being an iron tube of great length and diameter.

I might here enlarge upon the very great advantages offered by the construction of iron masts and lower and topsail yards for these large ships, as long since proved and established in practice among many of the finest sailing clippers and steam-packets belonging to the ports of Liverpool and Southampton; but I am informed that they are about to be adopted in the "Defence" and "Resistance;" and, when once the first step shall have been taken, I feel confident they will so recommend themselves for their durability, strength, economy, and superior resistance to shot and shell, that their general adoption throughout Her Majesty's fleet cannot be long deferred.

With respect to the rig, however, which I was describing as my proposal for the "Warrior" class, I have there endeavoured, by way of compensation for the increased number of the spars and sails, to have as many of them alike as possible; and in this attempt I have succeeded as far as follows:

The three lower yards are exactly alike, being each 18 feet shorter than those of the 80-gun ship, and they are at the same height above the water as the crossjack yard, whose dimensions, with those of the sails above it, remain almost exactly as before. The six topsail yards on the bow, fore, and main masts are exactly like the crossjack yard, and all the other spars and sails on those three masts exactly correspond.

* Of course a change in the position of the foremast, to place it conveniently with respect to the funnels, would affect the centre of effort of the sails. But, as the memory of most officers would recall many and considerable alterations made in the position of masts adopted by those whose only guide should be science, it would ill become me to predict the sailing qualities of the "Warrior" with reference to the position of her masts; but a ship rigged with four masts would admit of more simple and less expensive alteration in the effect of her sails, in accordance with the dictates of experiment, than is . the case when rigged with three masts. E.g. if in the present instance too great a preponderance of sail were applied to the fore body of the ship, the introduction of a crossjack course, followed by the removal of the flying jib, and then doing away with the bow and mizen royals, would all be means available for effecting the needful change in a moderate degree, while a slight increase in the spread of yards on either of the masts of the after body would produce a still greater effect without requiring any alteration in the position of the masts; whereas, in a ship with three masts, the yards have already attained their full development, and recourse must be had to more serious alterations in order to affect the balance of canvas on the ship.