Note 27 — Chapter IV · PROGRESS IN THE SCIENCE OF SHIPBUILDING.

Following the methods laid down in the Treatise on Shipbuilding, edited by Prof. Rankine, Mr John Inglis, Pointhouse, instituted calculations in 1873 of the longitudinal strains of two steamers built by his firm, the form of the waves being assumed trochoidal. The result of these calculations—which, under Mr Inglis’ directions, were got out by Mr G. L. Watson, subsequently distinguished as a yacht designer, and then in the employ of Messrs Inglis—appeared in the form of curves of hogging moments in Engineering for 1st May, 1874. Mr Inglis found that entering upon the work of calculation had a very decided effect in giving him clearer ideas of how distribution of weight and buoyancy affected the structure of a vessel.