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The Use of the Table.-The first column, marked for inches, is the thickness or circumference of the cable to every d inch, from 3 to 24. The second, marked cwt. qrs. for hundred weights and quarters that it will weigh, if 120 fathoms long.

As, for instance, suppose it be a cable of 14 inches and a l; look against 14, and you will find in the other column 52 cwt. 2 qrs. which shows that 120 fathoms of 14 inch cable will weigh 52 cwt. 2 qrs. ; and so in others. And any quantity of less length will weigh in proportion.

Cables, of what thickness soever, are generally formed of three ropes twisted together, which are then called strands; each of these is composed of three smaller strands, and those last of a certain number of rope-yarns: this number is therefore greater or smaller in pro portion to the size of the cable required.

All cables ought to be 120 fathoms in length; for which purpose, the threads or yarns must be 180 fathoms, inasmuch as they are diminished one-third in length by twisting.

The number of threads also of which each cable is composed being always proportioned to its length and thickness, the weight and value of it are determined by this number. Thus a cable of 10 inches in circumference ought to consist of 485 threads, and weigh 1940 lbs. and on this foundation is calculated the following table.

A TABLE of the NUMBER of THREADS and WEIGHT of CABLES of different Circumferences.

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TABLE showing the Comparative strength of COMMON and PATENT CORDAGE.

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The preceding table is deduced from experiments made by the breaking of ropes of various sizes, with one of their ends attached to a frame suspended to a strong iron beam, moving on steel pivots; to the other end of which beam weights were progressively suspended until the ropes broke. By these means the patent shroud-laid ropes, made of Petersburgh clean hemp, were found almost uniformly to break with a stress fluctuating between 63 and 74 cwt. per inch of their girt, in inches squared; thus a patent rope of 5 inches girt would, on an average, require 175 cwt. to break it. Common made ropes of the same hemp, and of 25 threads in each strand, broke with 5 cwt. per inch, and kept a progressive decrease, so as with about 130 threads to fall off to 4 cwt. per inch. The threads were of the common size; and the latter rope rather exceeded 8 inches girt. When strands were broken separately, the disparity between those of the common and the improved methods was much greater than in the ropes themselves. These experiments being made in the manner before stated, no deduction from the strength given has to be made for friction, which otherwise would have been requisite.

The duration of patent ropes in drawing coals, &c. from mines, or for other purposes where they are subject to be worn, is still greater than their superiority of strength over common rope; because, when the outside shell or coat of yarns of the latter is much worn, the whole of it gives way; the rope then lengthens suitably to the next coat, loses its form, and becomes unfit for use.

Whale lines are generally of 21 inches girt and 28 threads to the strand, and made from finely dressed hemp of the best quality; these lines have been found to break under resistances of between 25 and 32 cwt., equal to between 5 and 6 cwt. per inch rope; whilst lines made from the same yarns, patent laid, and only 2 inches girt, have carried considerably above two tons; so that the latter are much stronger and lighter, and of course worthy of general preference.

The WEIGHT of each PIECE or BOLT of BRITISH SAIL CLOTH, as required by Law; the Length being 38 Yards and Breadth 24 Inches.

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PROPORTIONS of one SPECIES of PROVISIONS to another, as allowed by Government.

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And vice versa. The above are the only useful and proper substitutes. 1 quart of calavances....

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1 qrt. of peas, or 3 pints oatmeal. Where turtle is issued, the proportion is 2lb. of turtle to 1lb. of beef.

In case of issuing stock fish,

4 lb. are computed equal to 1 gallon of oatmeal.

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1 lb. bread.

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do.

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Cocoa in the West Indies, when issued for butter, pound for pound. When there appears, on passing a transport's account, any debt in this article, the Victualling Board have generally charged 3s. per lb.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE ADMIRALTY.

By the Admiralty is understood the Office and Jurisdiction of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, or of the Lords Commissioners for executing that office.

The first title of Admiral of England was granted by a patent of Richard II. to Richard Fitz-Allen, Earl of Arundel and Surrey; for those who before enjoyed this office were simply termed Admirals, though their jurisdiction seems to have been as large; especially in the reign of Edward III., when the Court of Admiralty was first erected.

The LORD HIGH ADMIRAL has the management of all maritime affairs in, and the government of the Royal Navy, in its various departments; with power of decision in maritime cases, both civil and criminal. He judges of all things done, in British shipping, upon or beyond the sea, in every part of the world; upon the sea-coasts, &c. By him the FlagOfficers, Captains, and Lieutenants of the Navy, are commissioned; all Deputies for particular coasts; and Coroners to view dead bodies found on the sea-coasts, or at sea, are appointed. He also appoints the Judges for his Court of Admiralty, and may imprison, release, &c.

But in Ports and Havens, being within the body of a County, the Admiral has no jurisdiction, excepting that, between high and low water-mark, the common law and the high Admiral have jurisdiction by turns, one upon the water, and the other upon the land, according to the tide.

By a statute of Richard II. the Admiralty hath cognizance of the death or maiming a man committed in any ship riding in great rivers, below the bridges thereof, near the sea.

But if a man be killed on any arm of the sea where the land is seen on both sides, the Coroner is, by common law, to inquire of it, and not the Admiral; for where the county may inquire, the lord admiral. has no jurisdiction.

The Lord High Admiral has power, not only over the seamen serving in his Majesty's ships of war, but over all other seamen, to arrest or impress them for the service of the state; and if any of them run away without leave, he hath power to make a record thereof, and certify the same to the Sheriffs and other Magistrates, who may cause them to be taken and imprisoned. The Admiral has also power to arrest ships for the service of the state.

To the Lord High Admiral formerly belonged all penalties for transgressions at sea, on the sea-shore, in ports and havens, and all rivers below the first bridge from the sea; the goods of pirates and felons condemned or enslaved, sea-wrecks, goods floating on the sea, or cast

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