A Treatise on Navigation by Steam (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from A Treatise on Navigation by Steam

The' first remark is, that such a system will requlre a great numerical increase of officers, in the event of a future War, proportioned to' that of the men; whether the object be merely the protection of our commerce, 'or a national defence against invasion and active offensive warfare. Such Officers, must also be educated with the iowledge, not only of Steam Navigation, and of the construction and management of Steam Vessels, but of the very machinery and principles of the engine itself, Without which they Will rarely be efficient for their duties; much as the adequate management of a ship of this nature depends on an intimate knowledge of its moving power, and highly necessary as it is that they who command should be able to direct and controul every thing. It is indeed plain, that if it is necessary that a good officer should be intimate with every thing that appertains to the construction and'guidance of a ship on the present system, so that he may direct every thing and depend on no one, not less is it indispensible. That he should equally know every thing which relates to the new force which willthus be placed in'his hands.

It is moreover plain to a very slight reflection, that the adoption of this mode of motion, and these new inventions, will produce an entire revolution in the present system of attack and defence, and that an entire new method of tactics must be a necessary consequence; great differences innthe management and conduct of vessels, whether separately or in bodies, must. Follow from substituting the' present mechanical powers, ' utterly independent as they are of the wind, for those which depend solely On that force and hence, an entire'newcourse of study becomes opened to naval officers, no less indispensible; than' it is new. Must the ancient rule of forming the line of battle, be utterly changed.

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