Page:The history of yachting.djvu/195

 Rh Several other vessels were wrecked at that time also. To this Evelyn thus refers, under date of March 22, 1675: "Sir William, amongst other invitations, was author of the double bottom's ship, which tho' it perished and he was censured for rashnesse, being lost in the Bay of Biscay in a storm, when, I think, 15 other vessels miscarried. The vessel was flat-bottomed, of exceeding use to put into shallow ports, and ride over small depths of water. It consisted of two distinct keeles crampt (clamped) together with huge timbers, etc., so as that a violent streame ran between. It bear a monstrous broad saile, and he still persists that it is practicable and of exceeding use; and he had often told me that he would adventure himself in such another, could he procure sailors, and his Majesty's permission to make a second Experiment, which name the King gave it at the launching."

About the year 1646, the Royal Society was formed. It was composed of "divers worthy persons, inquisitive into natural philosophy, and other parts of human learning." It met once a week; sometimes at Dr. Goddard's lodgings in Wood Street, London, or at the Bull Head Tavern, Cheapside; more often, however, at Gresham College. This is not only the oldest scientific society in Great Britain, but one of the oldest in Europe, being founded in 1660, and incorporated August 13, 1662, as recorded by Evelyn under that date: "Our Charter being now passed under the broad seal constituting us a corporation under the name of The Royal Society for the