however, be remedied in a simple and effectual manner, by proportionally augmenting the depth of the keel, or as so large a keel would be inconvenient on many accounts, proportionally increasing their number, &c. Thus then it appears that a vessel drawing eight feet water only, keels and all, may be made to keep as good a wind, or be as little liable to being driven to leeward, as the sharpest-built vessel of the same length, drawing fourteen, nay twenty, or upwards; and if a few more keels are added at the same time, that she would be little more resisted in moving the line of the keels than a vessel drawing six feet water only. These keels besides would strengthen the vessel considerably, would render her more steady, and less liable to be overset, and thereby enable her to carry more sail."

Such were the principles on which the Trial cutter was constructed. After making a number of experiments with her, all her officers certified, on the 21st Feb. 1791:

"That with her three sliding keels she did tack, wear, and steer upon a wind, sail fast to windward, and hold a good wind. They also certified, that they never were in any vessel of her size or draught of water, that sailed faster, or carried a greater press of sail, or made such good weather."

She was inspected again, in 1792, by orders from the Admiralty Board; and the report, which was very favorable, stated, that that she had outsailed the Resolution, Sprightly, and Nimble cutters, as well as the Salisbury, Nautilus, and Hyæna sloops.

The Cynthia sloop of war, and the Lady Nelson, were built on the same principle. The latter, although only sixty two tons burden, and called by the sailors, in derision, "His Majesty's Tinder-box," made a voyage to New South Wales in 1800, under the command of Lieutenant Grant, and weathered some most severe storms in perfect safety.

After the commencement of hostilities with France, consequent to the French Revolution, Captain Schanck's abilities were considered far too valuable to be neglected; and he was accordingly appointed to be principal agent of transports in

the expedition sent to the West Indies, under the orders of Admiral Sir John Jervis, and General Sir Charles Grey. This fatiguing and important service he executed, not only with the strictest diligence, but with an attention to the national finances, uncommon, and perhaps unprecedented. * He remained some time at Martinico, after the capture of that valuable island.

So conspicuous was his assiduity in the preceding service, that when the reverses of war compelled the British troops to quit Flanders, and retire into Holland, whither they were followed by the armies of the French Convention, Captain Schanck was appointed superintendant of all the vessels employed in the various services of conveying either troops, stores, or property, from one country to the other; and his exertions tended at least to reduce disaster within its narrowest possible limits.

The acquisition of coast gained by the enemy, and the general complexion of public affairs, causing an apprehension that an attempt might be made to invade Britain, a new and formidable system of defence was, by the orders of the Admiralty Board projected, arranged, and completely carried into execution, under the direction of Captain Schanck. In short, the defence of the whole coast, from Portsmouth to Berwick-upon-Tweed, was confided to him; and few commands have ever been bestowed of more magnitude and importance, or requiring more extensive abilities. The objects he had to attain were infinitely more multifarious than generally fall to the lot either of a land or of a naval officer; for he was not only under the necessity of contriving and constructing a variety of rafts, and vessels of different descriptions, capable of receiving cannon, but he was also compelled to fit and adapt for the same purpose, the greater part even of the small boats which he found employed in different occupations

* During the West India campaign, in 1794, 46 masters of transports, and 1100 of their men, died of the yellow fever. On board one vessel the disease raged with such violence, that the mate, the only survivor, was obliged to scull his boat on shore, to fetch off negroes to throw the dead overboard; and he himself died soon after.

on the coast.

When even these difficulties were overcome, he had still to undergo the task of teaching the inhabitants throughout the several districts, the art of fighting and managing this heterogeneous, though highly serviceable flotilla, in case the necessity of the country should be such as to require their personal exertions. To have overcome these multiplied difficulties would, in itself, be a matter of sufficient praise to entitle a man to the highest tribute public gratitude could bestow, were every other occasion that could call for it wanting.

In 1799, Captain Schanck was again appointed to superintend the transport service connected with the expedition to Holland; and on the formation of the Transport Board, he was nominated one of the Commissioners; a station he continued to hold with the highest credit and honour to himself, till the year 1802; when, in consequence of an ophthalmic complaint, he was under the necessity of retiring from the fatigues of public service.

On the promotion of Flag-Officers, which took place Nov. 9. 1805, Commissioner Schanck was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral. He became a Vice-Admiral, July 31. 1810; and an Admiral of the Blue, July 19. 1821.

Admiral Schanck was one of the original members of the Society for improving Naval Architecture, set on foot by the late eccentric John Sewell, the bookseller; and some of the papers published by that Institution were the productions of this ingenious officer. He appears also to have been the inventor of gun-boats with moveable slides, for firing guns in any direction. He likewise fitted the Wolverine sloop with the inclined plane in her gun-carriages, which is justly considered as the greatest modern invention in gunnery.

Admiral Schanck married Miss Grant, the sister of the late Master of the Rolls, by whom he had a daughter, who married, in 1800, Capt. John Wright, R. N. and who died May 6. 1812, leaving a young family.

On the 6th of March, 1823, Admiral Schanck died, at Dawlish, in Devonshire, in the 83d year of his age. We

cannot close this memoir of him more satisfactorily than with the following just eulogium on his character, which appeared in several of the public prints soon after his decease.

"All to whom Admiral Schanck was personally known, have lost a friend not likely to be replaced; the middle class for miles round his abode, a kind adviser in all their difficulties; the poor a hospitable benefactor, who never heard their tale of woe without administering to their wants. Like a great philanthropist, the late Doctor Jenner, he spurned at private aggrandisement, and, without ostentation, gave the results of his mechanical genius and fertile mind for the public good. From his loss of sight, he had for some years retired from public life; but nature appeared to have compensated for this privation by a pre-eminent extension of his other faculties. His mechanical inventions have been long before the world, and entitle him to rank with the ingenious of his day; while his character as an officer and a man gave him a claim to the respect and esteem of society at large.”

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

OF DEATHS,

FOR 1823.

COMPILED IN PART FROM ORIGINAL PAPERS, AND IN PART FROM CONTEMPORARY PUBLICATIONS.