A FOUR-CORNERED SHIP.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 723, 13 October 1870, Page 2

A FOUR-CORNERED SHIP.

A party of gentlemen went down to Gray's Station the other day, to inspect a new model floating on the Thames. From the high wharf, the white hull looked something like a huge star-fish with four rays, resting low on the surface of the water, with five main and mizen fore-and-aft sails, and jib, sunning themselves above the back of thecreature. Upon approaching the craft " Telegraph Station" was seen inscribed ; upon rounding her the words " Sea Refuge " appeared. The visitors walked gingerly over the upper shell of one of the star-fish's rays, and were formally welcomed on board Captain Moody's model of a proposed floating battery, electric telegraph station, and light-ship. This novel invention we will attempt to describe, leaving the reader to form his own opinion as to its merits. The four equal projections proceed from a circular deck in the centre, which is protected by iron bulwarks sloping outwards. By means of clearing valves and watertight comparttnents her buoyancy is said to be a] certainty, aud her capsizing or an utter impossibility. The vessel is constructed to deflect the waves as they strike, and the casting out of foul anchors is relied .upon as holding her against the worst tempest. A small model (12 feet from ray to ray) was placed at Southland last year, and Lloyd's agent'thcn reported,that it rode, out a heavy storm aud temcndous sea without shipping a pint of water, although it was fastened only by 1 a small piece of fisherman's bass. The model off Gray's is 89 feet from ray to ray. There is a light and unusually airy cabin below, 20 feet in diameter. The vessel draws twelve inches of water, and if she were 85 feet from ray to ray (which the inventor considers would be the proper dimen-l sions of a full-sized telegraph station), the draught would be only 2f feet. The strange beat sailed well, being fitted with a sliding keel and rudder, answered its helm to perfection, gaye comparatively little motion in a swell,' and stayed and weared as the helmsman required. The breeze, it should bo added, was very light, but the skipper stated the capacities of the craft would bo still better brought out in a stilT wind.