The New York herald., 1870-11-07
Y Ac TIN g !.

| To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD:-
| La consequence OF the dissatisfaction prevailing
| with members OF the New York Yacht Club as "a
| the correctness OF the rule under which the com
| petng capacities Of their yachts are computed,
| have been asked by many OF them to present the
! subject OF measurement or OF capacity, In shape
to submit 1t to the consideration OF the club; and
am also asked to give the elements OF other methods,
| coupled with my views, ana any recommendation
| calculated TO meet the conditions required which
! may deem proper.
! The cause that renders any rule necessary arises
from the operation OF the physical law that c9terS
payf0us, large vessels have greater proporslonate
stability, easier water lines ana less proportionate
surface Of friction and by their greater te'Tsa are
less disturbed by rough water than small vessels;
and hence all yacht ubs have adopted o system Of
! measurement whercupon IS based an allowance OF
time or distance by larger vessel to the lesser
| one.
Stability In vessel Is the determining element OF
capacity TO sustain sails-that Is. her capacity TO
| carry and maintain her power OF progression.
A vessel which has snlcient degree OF stability
from her dimensions viii sail faster than one which.
In order TO bear like area of SAIL requires to be
ballasted with greater weight as she Will roll easier;
added 10 which one that has great proportionate
beam and little depth has more stability than
one that is narrow and deep unless Ike de-
gree OF stability attained By ballastng), which IN
ours an increase OF displacement involving an
increase of resistance, and. consequently. loss OF
power 10 meet 1t.
Tne gctual STABILITY In the case OF individual ves
sels depends upol the exact position OF Tie centres
OF gravity and displacement IN each case. BY the
operation Of these rules IL appears that length tone Oi
the elements ia the rule under consderalion) gives
stability in homogeneous noating bodies under llko
circumstances IN direct ratio, and SO lar as II IS
ayaied OF III the rule, lts use u proper; aau that
width OF beam lthc remaining elelnent becomes IN
",
cube; hence, under the application Of tne rule IN
force an element that should be cnbed Is applied In
q direct raio, while volume Of hull weight, rea-
tive immersion ana depth, are wholly ignored.
II Is held by many tnat the proper basis OF mea-
surement Is that OF displacement, ana by others that
IL is amidslip Section both OF these systems al 10
meet the requirements OF the case and Tor the fol-
lowing reasens:-Vessels OF different dimensions,
with varying stability may have equal displacement
weight, like amidShlp sections, thus, a short
long one with great rise to her floors; and vessel
with great depth may have ike section with one OF
greater beam anu less depth; and nence IN neither
OF these conditions could they compete upon equal
terms as the one with the greater stability would DO
able TO bear sails IN excess Of the Other
II an allowance OF time was given by one yacht
TO another for the purpose OF putting them, when OF
different constructions capacities, lines sails and
trim, upon an equal roofing and Il was estimated
with exacness, the competition between yachts IN
these points would be eliminated or negatved and
1t tAen would be restricted 10 The proficiency OF the
sailing master, poL and crew; dnerence in models,
lines, &c as elements Of competition. would DO
ignored. and yachts built alike 10 bowl, or OF the
would be placed upon the same footing as yacht
having the most efficient m0del &C., yet known 10
naval architecture. lG occurs, however, thai such
absurd condition Is not the case, but that charac
ter Of model and lines. IMMERSION ballasting spar
RUG and rig are essayed 10 be the elements 0f COM
petition.
The point essayed IS for two or more parties, with
like elements, to produce the best results alike
two parLles constructing steamers or ike external
dimensions OF hull dimensions OF engines and capa-
city OF boiler, and competing TO ascertain which
could produce the highest speed, bear the greatest
lnah fhn n tHu.a
the lines OF the hull and the conformation OF the
boiler and engine.
The arbitrary ecments-the physical being equal
or duy estlmaied-are depth, character OF lines,
outline OF cross secuon, sparrlng rig, SAILS trim,
&C. and upon these points alone should competition
be based.
II Is upon the physical elements alone then, that
an allowance OF time should be computed, and to
their operation must the elements of relative cana.
cities be confined
In illustration OF the operation OF such elements
submit the following well known cases as fair ex-