This reprint follows the same size and format of the original. The paper used has been chosen to produce a close match to the original. Naval Architecture comprises of two volumes, one of text and the other an elephant sized folio of ship draughts. Today, the original folio of ship draughts is excessively rare. This is due to the individual draughts being taken from the folio, so that the actual delineation for the ship to be built could be drawn on the mould-loft floor.
Summary of the main contents:
Text volume: Quarto (10.6" x 9.2" / 270mm x 235mm)
Book the first: Explaining the First Elementary and Theoretic Principles.
Chapter I: An explanation of the terms and of some elementary principles requisite to be understood in the theory and practice of shipbuilding.
Chapter II: Of fluids and their action on floating bodies as investigated by actual experiment.
Chapter III: On the figure and construction of ships and vessels in general, and on the means of giving them the most desirable qualities: with remarks on the different classes of British shipping.
Book the Second: Containing the practical rules for the construction of ships and vessels; with all requisite tables, etc.
Chapter I: General observations and definitions.
Chapter II: Practical methods of finding the gravity, displacement and tonnage of a vessel; including the centres of gravity and displacement; with the point of stability or meta-centre.
Chapter III: Instructions for delineating the several draughts and plans of ships.
Chapter IV: Explanation of the methods of laying off all parts of a ship on the mould -loft floor, preparations to the actual construction or building.
Chapter V: Of the method of construction called whole moulding.
Chapter VI: Practical directions for the actual building, progressively arranged.
Chapter VII: Miscellaneous observations of improvements and projected improvements; including some instructions and remarks upon the subjects immediately connected with naval architecture.
Tables for forming the bodies of ships and vessels of each class.
Tables of the principal dimensions and scantlings of ships and vessels of each class.
Folio of Draughts: Elephant folio (19.6" x 20" / 492mm x 508mm).
The following is a selection of the thirty eight large draughts. Draught measurements range from 4' 3.5" x 1' 5.5" to 2' 7.75" x 11.75".
Draughts I - IV: The following draughts contain the Sheer-draught, Body Plan, Disposition of the Frames, Planking, Inboard Works, Plans of the Gun Deck and Orlop, Plans of the Upper Deck, Quarterdeck and Forecastle of an 80-Gun Ship upon two decks.
Draught VIII: Midship Sections of a 74-Gun Ship and a Frigate.
Draught IX: Sheer-draught, Half-Breadth and Body Plan of a 40-Gun Frigate etc.
Draught XII: Sheer-draught, Half-Breadth and Body Plan of the Brigs of War, of 18-Guns, constructed in the year of 1804.
Draught XVII: Plans and Sections of the interior of a Fire Ship.
Draught XVIII: Plans and Section of a Bomb Vessel.
Draught XX: Sheer-draught, Half-Breadth and Body Plan of an East Indiaman of 1,257 tons.
Draught XXIII: A Brig Collier, of improved construction, burthen 170 tons.
Draught XXX: A Man of War's Launch, Pinnace, Cutter and Yawl.
Draught XXXIII - XXXVIII: A series of plates showing the Laying Off of the Fore Body and Moulds, After Body, Fore and After Cant Bodies, Transoms, Square Tuck, and Round-aft Tuck, Hawse Pieces, Harpins and several Parts of the Head and Stern of an 80-Gun Ship.