Page:The history of yachting.djvu/197

 Rh were satisfied by their own observations of her keeping a good wind, feeling her helm, staying well, round and quick, without loosing way. The chief objections were these which follow: 1st. The danger of divulsion and separation of the two cylinders, by the irruition of the water; for as much as the same is received by two heads, which stand diverging as in the wind end of a tunnel. 2nd: The falling in of the water between the two heads obliquely. 3rd: The danger of being over run, and submerged by a head sea, the vessel sailing swiftly against it, especially when her stern is raised, and consequently the head depressed in a wave. 4th: The danger of her platform being blown up, either with the rising of the sea between the cylinders, or rather by the seas coming in by her broad windward side, and cuffing her under the platform.

"We might here insert the report that several of the gentlemen then present made of this vessel's sailing upon several occasions; as that it had outsailed several good vessels half in half in stiff winds and grown seas, thwart tides, and that it steered and sailed extraordinary well. But the company, for the fuller satisfaction both of themselves and the Royal Society that intrusted them, caused a flag to be made, and offered it to any that could win it at a sailing to be made for that purpose on Twelfth day, and committed to the seamen and shipwrights to give general notice thereof throughout the harbor; of which contest be pleased to take the following account":