Narratives of two excursions to the ports of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in 1816, 1817, and 1818 : together with a description of the Breakwater at Plymouth, and also of the Caledonian Canal / translated from the French of Charles Dupin ... and illustrated by notes, critical and explanatory, by the translator.

  • Dupin, Charles, baron, 1784-1873.
Date:
Between 1800 and 1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Narratives of two excursions to the ports of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in 1816, 1817, and 1818 : together with a description of the Breakwater at Plymouth, and also of the Caledonian Canal / translated from the French of Charles Dupin ... and illustrated by notes, critical and explanatory, by the translator. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    vl Inirodticiion, has been manifested in many objects of great utility and im¬ provement, such as the construction of docks, harbours, canals, bridges, roads, &c., as well as in many highly-useful inventions 5 while the energies of the government have been exerted to keep pace with that public spirit by various improvements made or introduced in our arsenals, in the construction of our ships of war, and of other works of real national importance. In fact, the public mind received an extraordinary impulse from passing events, and the result, in all the respects before-mentioned, has been highly advantageous and striking. Attracted by these improvements, M. Dupin came, as a sci¬ entific observer, to ascertain their advantages, and the particulars of their execution, and, above all, to collect information relative to ship-building, and every thing connected with the maritime arts, as practised in this country. Whoever, then, regards the object of his visits to England, as a matter of little moment, will certainly _ * not have considered them in their true light. For, as has been most justly observed, in a maritime and commercial country, like Great Britain, the art of ship-building, and the most effectual management of its naval strength, are objects of the first mag¬ nitude and importance. The fleets of a kingdom so circum¬ stanced, are the foundation and the bulwark of its pre-eminence and superior consequence among neighbouring nations; they are also the safeguard of its commerce in time of war. The prosperity of that very commerce, and the safety with which our merchants are enabled to carry it on, depend very much on the excellent construction of our ships.”* * It may here suffice to add, that the greater the general improvements in the present mode of construction, so, in proportion, the strength, the safety, and the durability of merchant-vessels would be increased. Hence great benefits would accrue to the mercantile world; 6rst, by a reduction in the charges of freight, proportioned to the diminution of expence occasioned by the less frequent re¬ pairs, and the comparative soundness of the vessel; secondly, by the better preservation and greater security of the cargo; and lastly, by the reduced rate of insurance.