Art. XX. Traité pratique du Gréement; i.e. A Practical Treatise on the Rigging of Ships, and other Sailing Vessels; published by Order of the King, for the Instruction of those who are intended for the Sea-service; by M. Lescallier, Commissary-general of the Colonies, &c. With Plates. 2 Vols. 4to. Paris. 1791.

Connected as this country is with the sea, and depending so much on its shipping for its strength and riches, every publication, which tends to increase the nautical science, becomes to us of importance. The industry, also, of our neighbours on the continent, should give activity to our own exertions; and while other European nations are striving which shall excel, it behoves us not to remain idle spectators of a contest, where we have so much at stake.

The treatise before us is merely practical: it enters on no speculative points; and no theory nor mathematical calculation is employed. The author apologizes for any imperfections which it may possess, and observes, that it was a task, not of his chóice, but imposed on him; and that it was written in a distant country, among the fatigues of the government of a colony in the torrid zone, and where he had no opportunity of examining the structure of the parts which he was describing. It requires, however, little apology: it seems both full and accurate; and the engravings, by which it is illustrated, are elegant, and apparently exact.

The subject is treated in three books; and though we have styled the work a treatise on the rigging (gréement) of ships, it contains an account of all that is necessary to furnish a ship for the purpose of navigation.

The first book give some general observations and preliminary explanations: it enumerates the different pullies, and describes their uses: it teaches the art of splicing, and of making various kinds of knots, &c. — In the second, the names, situations, uses, &c. of the ropes, are shewn: they are considered under different heads, as belonging to the masts, to the yards, to the sails, rudder, anchor, &c. This completes the description of the rigging proper for ships of the line.

The third book contains an account of the different modes of rigging vessels intended for peculiar service: it delineates also the various kinds of vessels in use among other nations, both at a distance from us, and in our neighbourhood.

This appears to be an useful elementary book, and will doubtless be acceptable to those for whom it is intended by the author.

The Monthly Review; or, Literary Journal. Vol. VI.
R. Griffiths, London, 1791. pp 578-579.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius.

The Maritime History Virtual Archives | Rigging | Search.