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204 trial was made on the Thames, in presence of the Commissioners of the Navy. Both boats carried the same quantity of sail, and although the boat of the old type had lee boards, and two Thames pilots on board, the boat fitted with sliding keels out-sailed her one-half the distance. This experiment was so satisfactory that the Lords of the Admiralty immediately ordered a cutter of 120 tons to be built under the direction of Schank. This vessel was the Trial, launched at Plymouth in 1791. Subsequently, the sloop of war Cynthia, and brig Lady Nelson, of 60 tons, was built by the Government. All these vessels were fitted with sliding keels, and, according to the evidence of their officers and crews, were in every way satisfactory.

The Lady Nelson, under command of Lieutenant James Grant, made a successful voyage of discovery to New South Wales in the year 1800. In 1799 there were 43 gun-vessels in the Royal Navy fitted with sliding keels, mounting ten 18-pound carronades, two long 24-pounders, carrying crews of 50 men each, and commanded by lieutenants.