1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class VIII.: Introduction

INTRODUCTION.

THE present Class will be regarded with much interest by those who are concerned in the maritime and military position of this country. The objects it includes, and which are fully exhibited in many instances by models, present a favourable picture of the resources of Britain, particularly in her marine. They also represent her means of defence and general military equipment.

The classification of objects here included comprises the following subdivisions:—

• A. Illustrations by Models of Shipbuilding for the purposes of Commerce, such as Ships, Boats, Brigs, Schooners, Luggers, etc.

• B. Illustrations by Models of Shipbuilding for the purposes of war, such as Ships of the Line, Frigates, Corvettes, etc.

• C. Illustrations by Models of Shipbuilding for the application of Steam or other Powers, such as great War Steamers, Steam Vessels for long passages, Steam Vessels for Inland Navigation.

• D. Vessels used for Amusement, and small Vessels generally, such as Sea-going and River Yachts, Bowing-Boats, Fishing-Boats, Life- Boats, etc.

• E. Comprises Rigging, Anchors, Windlasses, Capstans, and other articles connected with Practical Seamanship, and saving of Life from Shipwreck.

• F. and G. relate to Army Clothing and Accoutrements.

• H. To Camp Equipage.

• I. Naval Gunnery.

• J. Artillery Equipments for the Garrison and Field, and Machinery for Transporting Ordnance.

• K. Includes Ordnance and Projectiles.

• H. Small Arms; and

• M. Military Engineering generally.

The Class is not confined in the Building to one locality. Objects comprised by it are found in the South Gallery West, where some models of fortifications, together with a variety of guns, pistols, and swords are dispersed. The interspace between the South and North Galleries contains some costly and beautiful models exhibited by the Lords of the Admiralty. North of the Great Organ, a variety of models illustrating methods of rigging, capstans, windlasses, etc., are placed; and a space extending along the North Gallery eastward, contains models of ships, rafts, etc. On the Ground-floor, at the eastern extremity of the space devoted to machinery in motion, are also some objects related to Class 8. The remainder of this Class is to be sought in the Southern Galleries, on the foreign side of the Building, in Avenues P. and Q., extending from 62 to 70.

The progress of naval architecture forms an interesting study in the objects included in this Class. The transition from the inconvenient and unsightly forms of antiquity to the graceful outlines and imposing contour of a modern first-class ship is no less remarkable as an indication of progress in this science, than instructive as a practical evidence of the consistency of beauty of form with those qualities deemed essential in these structures. The beautiful discoveries of the laws and forms of wave-movement in fluids—a study at first without apparent direct practical application—have been successfully reduced to practice, and have led to the adoption, in a few instances, of that form of construction which theory indicated to be the most suitable. A prolonged experience will probably justify this application. The beautiful models of frigates, and other ships, showing the bow, stern, and transverse section, will receive much attention.

A very large collection of models of boats for saving life at sea is exhibited: so large a number of ingenious methods of constructing life-boats, assumed to be incapable of being upset or swamped, was probably never previously brought together. Some of these are on the twin principle, some are of caoutchouc, and some of gutta-percha.

Ordnance and projectiles for purposes of war are sparingly exhibited. It appears to have been felt that this was an institution of peace. But of small arms, adapted chiefly for field and forest purposes, a great display is made at the end of the South Gallery West. Rifles, fowling-pieces, pistols, swords, etc., some of which exhibit skill in their construction, coupled with elaborateness of ornament. Several of them indicate the application of new principles for prevention of accidental discharge, and some of new propulsive power. The remarkable properties of vulcanized caoutchouc, coupled with the discovery of the cumulating power of bands of this material, have been applied with success to various projectiles, and appear to promise new and important results.

Out of the miscellaneous collection of objects grouped together in this Class, some adapted for recreation — some for utility — some for offence and defence—a selection for particular study may well be made by the visitor to the Building. But probably no part of this Class will be regarded with more interest than that which illustrates the early, progressive, and present application of the steam-engine to navigation. The models illustrative of this subject form a most instructive part of the collection.— R. E.

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