Page:The history of yachting.djvu/193

 Rh presumption in attempting the "art or mystery" of yacht-building, was pleasant to them.

December 22, 1662, Pepys writes: "I went to the launching of a new ship with two bottoms invented by Sir William Petty, on which were various opinions: his Majesty being present gave her the name of The Experiment." Pepys further writes of this vessel, under date of July 13, 1663: "Mr. Grant showed me letters of Sir William Petty's wherein he says, that this vessel which he hath built upon two keels, (a model where of, built for the King, he showed me) hath this month won a wager of; £50 in sailing between Dublin and Holyhead with the pacquett-boat, the best ship or vessel the King hath there; and he offers to lay with any vessel in the world. It is about 30 tons burden, and carries 30 men, with good accommodation (as much more as any ship of her burden), and so any vessel of this figure shall carry more men, with better accommodation by half, than any other ship. This carries also ten guns, of about five tons weigh. In their coming back from Holyhead they started together, and this vessel come to Dublin by five at night, and the pacquett-boat not before eight the next morning; and when they come they did believe this vessel had been drowned, or at least behind, not thinking she could have lived in that sea. Strange things are told of this vessel." Petty concludes his letter with this remark: "I only affirm that the perfection of sayling lies in my principle, finde it out who can."