OF
Painting SHIP-WORK.

BEFORE I begin on this Subject, I shall give a few necesary Cautions which ought to be minded in fitting and preparing the Parts that are designed to be Painted, otherwise your Paint, (which undeniably is a very good Preservative, if rightly apply'd) will be of little Use or Service.

And first, you are to take very particular Notice, that the Timber which is to be painted be full dry, and well season'd, otherwise the Paint will not be soke or penetrate into the Pores of the Timber; for the Pores being fill'd with the Sap or Water, the Oyl and other Ingredients, (which are drawn or drove in by the Heat of the Sun in dry and well season'd Timber,) will in a small Time peel off again, and so become Useless.

And this so very material and ncesseary Caution well minded, might put us in Mind of that pernicious and disorderly Custom, that's upheld amongst us, and generally practised; which is in felling our principal Timber at an unseasonable Time in the Year, when the Sap is up in the Body of the Tree, and also in the Branches.

And this destructive Faculty is really advanced through a wrong Notion, that the Bark of Trees cannot be as well taken off when the Trees are standing, as it can afterwards, when in Truth, and in Reason there will be found but very little Difference, or none at all, if rightly consider'd; since some Part of the Bark on the under Side must be left on at stripping the Tree after it is cut down, and that I presume might pay the Charge of that little Trouble which would be in raising a Ladder, or making a small moveable Scaffold; but was the Charge one Day's Work for two Men, at 18 d. a Day Difference, or let it be 18 d. in every Load of Timber Difference, I am positive that every Load of Timber that is seasonably cut would be of double Value to that which is fell'd at a wrong Time of the Year; and that in some Timber would be 3 or 4 Pound in every Load, or 50 Foot of Timber, since the Duration would be thrice as long as the Timber that is cut in stripping Time, as I have more fully explain'd in another Place of this Volume.

The second Caution is, That special Regard ought to be had in Painting Ships at their fitting and various Reparations, since such Vicissitudes oftenest happen to Publick Ships in the Winter Season, and then according to the Time it is observed to be very uncertain, wet and dirty Weather; since our Men of War, which in the Summer Season are more or less upon the Cruise, and hunting after the Enemy, are more at leisure in the Winter, when such Roving Times are past, and the Service not so much requiring such a large Number of Ships in Action; and then the greater Part may all, by Turns, be ordered in to clean and fit against the next Summer Service.

You may observe, that the Charge of Painting a Ship of the biggest Magnitude measuring 1700 or 1800 Tuns, is upwards of 48 Pound; the Charge of the second Size, being 1400 Tuns, is upwards of 40 Pound; the third Size of 1000 Tuns is upwards of 28 Pound; the fourth Size of 600 Tuns, upwards of 20 Pound; the fifth Size of 350 Tuns, upwards of 12 Pound, and the sixth of 250 Tuns, upwards of 5 Pound. Now if the smallest of these Sums that I have mentioned was to be our own Loss, I am positive most Men would endeavour by all possible Caution to prevent the Miscarriage, I shall therefore proceed to give some necessary Directions how such Faults may be prevented, that have been generally commited in refreshing the Paint of the Weather Work on Shipping at the Winter, and then consider and give my Opinion of the Necessity there is to Paint Ships at Set Times, tho' the Weather be really contrary to the drying or hardening of the Work[.]

When I was employ'd to measure the Painter's Work in Her Majesty's Yard at Portsmouth, I have often observ'd, that rather than the Painter would lose the painting of the Ship, he would actually paint the Work, when it rain'd upon the Part that his Brush mov'd on. As to the Appearance of Rain, or to have all imaginable Symptoms of dirty Weather, the Painter regarded that but little, and would proceed; but as to his Indulgence, or who gave him such a Toleration, I know not, but shall refer my Reader to guess when I come to explain the Nature of the Painter's Contract, and who is generally the Director in such Cases.

Nay, somewhat farther I shall mention, that I have often observed the Paint to be washed off again with the Rain, and become of little Account: Nay, what with the Dirt that was on before the Paint began, and the Wet that came after, the ship has been so strangely besmear[']d, that she really look'd unseemly, and much worse for Ornament, than if she had not been touch'd with a Painter's Brush; when upon the other Hand, had the Ship been well clean'd, and all the dirty Paint scrap'd off, and the Plank or Board near bare, then Painting would be highly Serviceable, and the Charge of doing it paid treble, by the well tempering and using the Material.

However, in case there is Necessity to paint a Ship in the Winter Season, and the Case cannot be otherwise bore with, but such a Faculty must be prosecuted in rainy dirty Weather, then let the Ship be cover'd with Sail-Cloth, which would be done for a very slender Charge, in Consideration of that vast Difference which will be between Paint that is well laid on, and harden'd in, and such that is only dawb'd on to increase a Charge.

But in the next Place I will mention what Necessity there is in painting Ships at Set Times, and by a Master Painter and his Crew, that are kept purely for that purpose.

I say, provided a Ship was going a long Voyage, as to the West Indies or Streights of Gibraltar, or into some other hot scoring Countrys, where undeniably will be found more Necessity to paint, and fill the Chaps that are caused by the Sun's excessive Heat, than can be in our Country, or when Ships are only cruising in the Channel; and in such hot Climates, perhaps a Ship may be continued two or three Years, and yet never painted, neither a Master Painter nor any of his Crew to attend the engrossing of Trade, or exerting their Faculties to make out a large Bill against the End of the Quarter.

The Hollanders, and several other Country Ships, carry Paint with them, (and as Mr. Evelyn recommends in Sylva) make Use of it themselves by some one or other belonging to the Ship's Crew; nay, several of our Merchant-ships do the same, they paint when Necessity requires, and when the Paint is likely to do Service to the Part they apply it to, as well for Ornament, as for preserving the Stuff they cover; and such seasonable Painting will be found extremely Wholesome and Refreshing both to the Ship, and also to the Ship's Crew; preserving the Timber; adding a greater Lustre, than what three time Painting will do at unseasonable Times.

The Accommodations within-side ought also to be done in very dry Weather, when the Oyl will soak in, and not cause dampness, from which a Sickness may flow, and by Caution may be prevented. But I proceed to shew you the Nature of the Master Painter's Contract, which I copy'd from the Master Painter in the Year 170½ [sic], when I measured the Work for the Service; not that I design to give you the Preamble that is made in form by the Clerks, but only the Heads of all the Prices for Painting the Ship within Board and without Board, either by the Piece, or by the Superficial Yard, or 3 Foot Square; also how the Painter is bound and obliged to comply.

This Copy was taken from Madam Harrison's Contract in 170½, when she officiated the Painting of her Majesty's Ships refitting at Portsmouth. The Contract bore Date the 18th of December 1695.

First for new Works, and three times Primings and once Painting a fair Colour, the Head, the Stern and the two Galleries. Memorandum, These Prices were set for before the Carved Work was reduced, or taken from the Publick Ships.

Size. Tunnage. For Painting the Head, Stern and Galleries. For each Carved Port. For each Red Port within-side.
    New Refreshing. New. Refreshed New. Refreshed.
    l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d.
First 1700 17 0 0 8 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 3
Second 1400 14 0 0 7 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 3
Third 1000 9 0 0 4 10 0 0 0 8 0 0 4 9 0 6 0 0 3
Fourth 600 5 0 0 2 10 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 3
Fifth 350 3 5 0 1 12 6 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
Sixth 250 1 10 0 0 17 6 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

Size. Tunnage. For every Yard of Rail Running Measure. For every Bulkhead Bracket.
    New. Refreshed. New. Refreshed.
    l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d. l. s. d.
First 1700 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0
Second 1400 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 6
Third 1000 0 0 0 0 0 7/8 0 0 0 0
Fourth 600 0 0 0 0 0 1/8 0 0 0 0 3
Fifth 350 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
Sixth 250 0 0 0 9 0 1/8 0 0 0 0

For new Painting of all Frized Work (which in this Place is meant of all Carved Work that is not otherwise specified) either in Ships or Boat Work, measuring the same Mathematically with a Ruler, and not with a Line; the Allowance is for every Square Yard 14 Pence, and for Refreshing the same the Allowance is 7 d. a Yard.

For three times Priming and once Painting either Stone or Wood Colour, Graining or Reveling the same, for the Repairing of such Ships as are already done, intimating that such a Trivial Charge is forbid, since all new Work for the future is directed to be done with Plain Colours; the Revel'd Work is valued at 9 d. per Yard.

For three times Priming and once Painting, all usual Colours, Green excepted, at 7 d. ½ per Yard.

So that there is 1 d. ½ Difference between the flourish'd Work and the plain in every Yard.

For three times Priming and once Painting all flat Work. the black Work under the Frizes included, at 7 d. per Yard.

For Priming and Painting all Barges and Pinnaces, and Jolly-boats; the Upper Strakes, Rails and Gunnels, Fore and Aft; the Stern, Rudder, and Tiller; the Stern Sheets, Thwarts, and Gang-Boards; the Timbers and the Work within-board down to the Floor, and Ceiling of Barges for Flag Ships; but the Water Boats only to Paint the Upper Strakes, Stern Rails, and Gunnels Fore and Aft, to Paint the Timber Heads down to the Twharts [sic]; also the Benches, Thwarts and Stern.

The Value for Painting each, one with another, once Painting is 4 s. twice 7 s. and for three times Painting 9 s. For Refreshing all plain Colours, Green excepted, 2 d. ½ per Yard, and for Refreshing all Grain'd and Revell'd Work, if any is done 4 d. ½ per Yard.

For Painting Sash Lights and Window Bars, 9 d. per Yard Square. For Painting of Poop Lanterns, for every Foot in Height, for one Painting 7 d. and twice Painting 11 d.

For Barge Oars from 14 to 19 Foot long, once Painting 5 d. twice 6 d. ½, thrice 8 d. ½ each.

And farther, if at any time there shall be Directions given for the doing thereof, for Painting Canvas wither Old or New, for Windows, and the like, the Painter is to be allowed the same Price with other plain Colours.

Here follows an Addition to the Painter's Contract, which I also copy'd out of a Contract made between the Principal Officers and Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy and the said Madam Harrison, dated the 19th of July, 1698.

That at the Painter's Charge, seasonable shall be done to her Majesty's Ships and Houses the several Works hereafter mentioned; that is to say, for to serve in Colours as shall be demanded by the Master Shipwright of her Majesty's Yard at Portsmouth.

And if it shall happen for a Ship to sail before her Painting Works be compleated, the Painter is to be allow'd for the first Priming 2 d. ½ per Yard, and for the finishing Colour 2 d. ½ per Yard; and for the second Priming 2 d. ½ per Yard; so that if he cannot lay on the third Priming, he is only to be abated 1 d. per Yard, out of the 7 d. ½ Penny, his common Allowance: Also for Graining and Revelling all sorts of Stone and Timber Colour, referring to the Cases aforesaid; if the Painter finishes his Work upon the first Colour, he is to have 6 d. ¾ per Yard, and if he Primes it twice, and finishes upon the second Priming, 8 d. per Yard.

For Window Lights in Houses within-side or without side, once doing to have 1 d. ½ Penny per Yard, twice doing at 3 d. and thrice doing at 4 d. per Yard.

For Painting Casements he is to have 2 d. ½ Penny for each time.

To provide Red Colour for the Mast-makers Use to mark Masts with, at 4 d. per Pound.

To provide Whiting for the Masons, to White House with, at 3 d. per Pound.

To provide Putty on several Occasions, at 5 d. per Pound.

For marking of Doors, Guns, Talleys, &c. with Letters or Figures, at 3 d. per Dozen Letters.

For Painting of Boats a bright Port red Colour, at 5 s. each.

For Painting of Oars, and Waveing them, at 6 d. each.

For Painting of Leather Buckets, at 4 d. each.

For Gilding of Carved Work 4 s. 5 d. per Yard Square, and for Gilding of Flat Work 3 s. and to measure as before recited.

And every Part of the said Work shall be performed with good Colours, well Ground, and laid with Linseed Oyl, and the Red Colour, Whiting, and Putty, shall in every respect be fitting for the Service.

And by way of Caution, I observed an Order directed, that no Ship-work within-board shall be Refreshed, except at the Rebuilding, or at very great Repairs. The Weather-work to be done once in Twelve-Months, if need require, for the Preservation of the Carved and the Quick-work.

I shall proceed now to make some useful Observations, and shew how these Allowances agree with Reason, and the Superficial Content of the Species to be painted; but first shall set down the Measurement of one particular Ship of the six Sizes before mention'd, which will make my Observations the more Conspicuous.

The Measurements of the first Sized Ship of 1700 Tuns will be as follows.

The Plain-Work without Board and Decks.

l. s. d.
All the Weather Work within and without — containing 840 at 7 d. ½ per Yard is 150 10 5
The Lower Gun Deck 2397
The Middle Gun Deck 1580
The Imbossed Rails on the Outside, one with another, at 2 d. ½ per Yard, containing 530 Yards 4 19
Red Ports for the Gun holes, 100 at 6 d. ½ each, leaving out the Carved Ports 2 14 6
For Painting the Head, Stern, and 2 Galleries, new as aforesaid 16 00 0

All the Work within-side out of the Weather.

Yards
For Painting the Great Cabbin, it containing 330 In all it is 1565 Yards at 9 d. per Yard, which amounts to 58 13 3
For the Lower Coach 270
For the Upper Cabbin and Coach 280
For the Gunners Cabbin 65
For the Boatswain and Carpenter's Cabbin 75
For 2 Cabbins at the Bulk-head of the Lower Coach 75
For the Ward-Room 250
For the Surgeon and Pursers Cabbin 75
For the Lieutenant's Cabbin at the Bulkhead of the Gun-Room 45
For three other Cabbins for the Lieutenants and the Chaplain 100
Total 1565

Sash Frames 660 Feet at 1 d. per Foot 2 15 0
Poop Lanterns three, at 10 d. per Foot 1 06
Canvas 120 Yards at 7 d.½ per Yard 3 15 0
Boats three, at 9 s. each Boat 1 07 0
Oars 50, at 8 d.½ each Oar 1 15 5
Total 244 16 5

The whole Sum for Painting such a Ship, her Boats, and all what belongs to her Furniture, new off from the Stocks, as its term'd, will be 244 l. 10 s. 5 d.

Ft. Inch.
Memorandums of the Dimensions of her Ports Ports Lower Fore and Aft 3
Up and Down 2 8
Middle Fore and Aft 3 2
Up and Down 2 7
Upper Fore and Aft 2 9
Up and Down 2 6

Then the Area in the Medium will be 8 Ft. 1/10, which is 9/10 of a Ft. less than 1 Yard Square, and so such a Ship's Ports may be recon'd, one Port with another.

The Sheer Rail is 7 Inches up and down; so that the Content of the Rail in Square Yards will be 162 Yards, measured as the half of a Cylinder, making the Depth the Diameter of such a Cylinder; and also I take the biggest Rail for the Measure of all which will be advantagious to the Painter; and for every Square Yard I allow 7d.½, and after that Computation the Rail will come to 5l. 1s, 3d. which is 1s. 10d.½ more than the common Allowance.

The Poop Lanterns will be one of 9 Ft. 3 In. and two of 7 Ft. 8 Inches, which put together is 24 Ft. 7 Inches.

I proceed now to the Measure of the Painting-Work of the second sized Ship of 1400 Tuns, which will be as follows.

The Plain-Work without Board, and the Decks.

l. s. d.
All the Weather Work within and without — containing 702 at 7 d.½ per Yard is 143 17 6
The Lower Gun-Deck 2198
Middle Gun-Deck 1712
The Imbossed Rail on the Outside one with another at 2 d.½ per Yard, containing 505 Yards 4 14
Red Ports for the Gun-holes 90, at 6 d.½ each, leaving out the Carved Ports 2 08 9
For Painting the Head, Stern and 2 Galleries, new as aforesaid 14 00 0

All the Work within-side out of the Weather.

Yards
For Painting the Great Cabbin, it containing 320 In all it is 1485 Yards at 9 d. per Yard, which amounts to 55 13 9
For the lower Coach 262
For the upper Cabbin and Coach 278
For the Gunner's Cabbin 60
For the Boatswain and Carpenter's Cabbin 70
For 2 Cabbins at the Bulk-head of the Lower Coach 70
For the Ward Room 228
For the Surgeon and Purser's Cabbin 65
For the Lieutenant's Cabbin at the Bulkhead of the Gun-Room 32
For the 3 other Lieutenants Cabbin, and for the Chaplain's Cabbin 100
Total is 1485

Sash Frame 560 Feet at 1 d. per Foot 2 06 7
Poop Lanterns three, at 10 d. per Foot for twice Painting 0 17
Canvass 100 Yards at 7 d.½ per Yard is 3 02 6
Boats three at 9 s. each Boat 1 07 0
Oars 50, at 8 d.½ each Oar 1 14 5
Total 230 02 11¾

The whole Sum for Painting such a Ship, her Boats, and all what belongs to her Furniture, new from the Stocks, will be 230 l. 2 s. 11 ¾.

Feet.. Inch.
Memorandum of the Dimensions of her Ports, Ports. Lower Up and Down 2 7
Fore and Aft 3 6
Middle Fore and Aft 3
Up and Down 2 6
Upper Fore and Aft 2 7
Up and Down 2 4

Then the Area in the Medium will be 7 Ft. 6/10, which is 1 Ft. 4/10 short of a Square Yard, and so such a Ship's Ports may be reckon'd one with another.

The sheer Rail is 6 Inches and a half up and down, that the Content of the Rail in Square Yards will be 141 Yards, measured as a Cylinder, by making the Depth the Diameter of the Cylinder, and continuing the Custom of making the biggest Rail the Measure for all, then allowing 7d.½, for every Square Yard, the Sum will be 4l. 8s, 1d. but the Sum as Custom being 4 l 14s. 8d.¼ the Allowance for every Square Yard is 8 d. and also making the biggest Rail the Gauge.

The Poop-Lanterns will be one of 8 Ft. and a half long and 2 of 6 Ft. 7/12, which put together is 21 Foot 4 Inches.

I proceed now to the Measure of the third sized Ship of 1000 Tuns, which will be as follows.

The Plain Work without Board, &c.

l. s. d.
All the Weather Work within side and without the Decks in these Ships are not Painted, containing 579 Yards at 7 d.½ per Yard is 16 17 9
The Imbossed Rail on the Outside one with another at 1 d.¾ per Yard, containing 400 Yards 2 18 1
Red Ports for Gun-holes 70, at 6 d.½ each, leaving out the Carved Ports 1 17 11
For Painting the Head, Stern and Galleries, new as aforesaid 9 00 0

All the Work within-side out of the Weather.

Yards
For Painting the Great Cabbin, it containing 289 In all it is 963 Yards at 9 d. per Yard, which amounts to 36 13 6
The lower Coach in this Ship is called a Steerage 260
For the upper Cabbin and Coach 200
The Gunner's Cabbin 40
The Boatswain and Carpenter's Cabbin 55
Two Cabbins at the Bulkhead of the Steerage 55
For the Surgeon and Purser's Cabbin 54
Lieutenants Cabbin at the Bulk-head of the Gun-Room 25
963

Sash Frame 350 Foot, at 1 d. per Foot 1 09 2
Poop Lanterns 3, at 10 d. per Foot for twice Painting 0 13 4
Canvas 80 Yards, at 7 d.½ per Yard 2 05 2
Boats 2, at 9 s. each Boat 0 18 0
Oars 35, at 8 d.½ each Oar 1 04
73 17

The whole Sum for Painting such a Ship, her Boats and all what belongs to her Furniture, new off from the Stocks, will be 73 l. 17 s. 8 d.½.

Feet. Inch.
Memorandums of the Dimensions of the Ports Ports Lower Fore and Aft3 4
Up and Down 2 7
Upper Fore and Aft 2 7
Up and Down 2 4

Then the Area in the Medium of her Ports will be 7 Ft. 3/10, which is 1 Foot. 7/10 less than a Square Yard, and so such a Ship's Ports may be reckon'd one Port with another.

The Sheer Rail is 6 Inches up and down, that the Content of the Rail in Square Yards is 106 Yards measur'd as a Cylinder, by making the Depth of the Rail the Diameter of such a Cylinder, and continuing the Custom of making the biggest Rail the Measure for all. Then allowing 7d.½ for Painting every Square Yard, the Sum will be 3l. 6s, 3d. but the Sum as Custom is but 2l 18s. 1d. so that allowing for Painting, every Square Yard is but 6d.½ per Yard, and allowing the biggest Rail for the Gauge.

The Poop Lanterns will be one of 6 Ft. long, and 2 of 5 Ft. which together is 16 Ft.

I proceed now to the Measure of the fourth sized Ship of 600 Tuns, which will be as follows.

The Plain Work without Board, &c.

l. s. d.
All the Weather Work within and without, the Decks in these Ships not being Painted, containing 450 Yards at 7 d.½ per Yard is 14 01 0
The Imbossed Rail on the Outside one with another at 1 d.¼ per Yard, containing 350 Yards 1 16 5
Red Ports for Gun-holes 50, at 6 d. each, leaving out the Carved Ports 1 05 0
For Painting the Head, Stern and Galleries, new as aforesaid 5 00 0

All the Work within-side out of the Weather.

Yards
For Painting the Great Cabbin, it containing 210 In all it is 652 Yards at 9 d. per Yard, which amounts to 24 09 0
For the Steerage 165
For the Round-House, or 2 Cabbins in that Room 62
The Gunner's Cabbin 37
The Boatswain and Carpenter's Cabbin 53
For 2 Cabbins at the Bulk head of the Steerage 53
For the Surgeon and Purser's Cabbin 52
Lieutenants Cabbin at the Bulk-head of the Gun-Room 25
Total 652

Sash Frame 152 Feet at 1 d. per Foot 0 12 8
Poop Lantern 1, at 10 d. per Foot for twice Painting 0 04 7
Canvas 63 Yards, at 7d.½ per Yard is 2 04 6
Boats 2, at 9 s. each Boat 0 18 0
Oars 35, at 8 d.½ each Oar 1 04 9
55 15 11

The whole Sum for Painting such a Ship, her Boats and all what belongs to her Furniture, new off from the Stocks, will be 55 l. 15 s. 11 d.

Feet. Inch.
Memorandums of the Dimensions of her Ports Ports Lower Up and Down2 5
Fore and Aft 2 10
Upper Fore and Aft 2
Up and Down 2 2

Then the Area of these Ports in the Medium will be 6 Ft. or 2/3 of one Square Yard, and so such a Ship's Ports may be reckon'd one Port with another.

The Sheer Rail is 5 Inches ½ up and down, so that the Content of the Rails in Square Yards is 83 Yards, measur'd as a Cylinder, by making the Depth of the Rail the Diameter of such a Cylinder, and continuing the Custom of making the biggest Rail the Measure for all. Then allowing 7d.½ for Painting every Square Yard, the Sum will be 2l. 11s, 10d.½, but the Sum as Custom is but 1l 16s. 5d. so that the Allowance for Painting, every Square Yard is but 5d.2/10 per Yard, and allowing the biggest Rail for the Gauge.

The Poop-Lanterns will be but one of 5 Ft.½ long.

I proceed now to the Measure of the fifth sized Ships Painting, (whose Magnitude is 350 Tuns) which will be as follows.

The Plain-Work without Board, &c.

l. s. d.
All the Weather Work within and without, the Decks in this Ship, not being Painted, containing 280 Yards at 7 d.½ per Yard is 7 19 10
The Imbossed Rail on the Outside one with another at 1 d. per Yard, containing 270 Yards 1 02 6
Red Ports for Gun-holes 36, at 5 d. each, leaving out the Carved Ports 0 15 0
For Painting the Head, Stern and Galleries, new as aforesaid 3 05 0

All the Work within-side out of the Weather.

Yards.
For Painting the Great Cabbin, it containing 150 In all it is 477 Yards at 9 d. per Yard, which amounts to 17 17 9
For the Steerage 120
For 2 Cabbins on the Quarter-Deck 44
For the Gunner's Cabbin 23
For the Boatswain and Carpenter's Cabbin 40
For 2 Cabbins at the Bulk-head of the Steerage 40
For the Surgeon and Purser's Cabbin 40
For one Cabbin at the Bulk-head of the Gun-Room 20
Total is 477

Sash Frame 70 Foot at 1 d. per Foot 0 05 10
Poop Lantern one, at 10 d. per Foot for twice Painting 0 03 9
Canvass 30 Yards at 7d.½ per Yard is 2 18 9
Boats two at 9 s. each Boat 0 18 0
Oars 30, at 8 d.½ each Oar 1 01 3
Total 36 08 5

The whole Sum for Painting such a Ship, her Boats, and all what belongs to her Furniture, new from the Stocks, will be 36 l. 8 s. 5 d.

Feet. Inch.
Memorandum of the Dimensions of her Ports, Ports. Lower Fore and Aft2
Up and Down 2 3
Upper Fore and Aft 2
Up and Down 2 0

Then the Area of these Ports in the Medium will be 5 Ft. 35/100, near 2/3 of a Square Yard, and so such a Ship's Ports may be reckon'd to be one Port with another.

The sheer Rail is 5 Inches up and down, that the Content of the Rails in Square Yards will be 57 Yards, measured as a Cylinder, by making the Depth of the Rail the Diameter of such a Cylinder, and continuing the Custom of making the biggest Rail the Measure for all, then allowing 7d.½ per Yard for Painting every Square Yard, the Sum will be 1l. 15s, 7d.½. but the Sum as Custom is 1l 2s. 6d. so that the Allowance for Painting, every Square Yard is 4d.¾ per Yard, and allowing the biggest Rail to be the Gauge.

The Poop-Lantern is but one of 4 Ft. and a half long.

I proceed now to the Measure of the sixth Sized Ships Painting, (whose Magnitude is 250 Tuns) which will be as follows.

The Plain-Work without Board, &c.

l. s. d.
All the Weather Work within and without, the Decks in this Ship not being Painted, containing 138 Yards at 7 d.½ per Yard is 4 06
The Imbossed Rails on the Outside, one with another, at 3 Farthings a Yard, containing 135 Yards 0 08 5
Red Ports for Gun-holes 24, at 3 d.½ each, leaving out the Carved Ports 0 07 0
For Painting the Head, Stern, and Galleries, new as aforesaid 1 09 0

All the Work within-side out of the Weather.

Yards.
For Painting the Great Cabbin, it containing 103 In all it is 287 Yards at 9 d. per Yard, which amounts to 11 01 3
For the Steerage 85
For the Gunner's Cabbin 17
For the Boatswain and Carpenter's Cabbin 28
For the Surgeon and Pursers Cabbin 28
For the Master's and Lieutenant's Cabbin 34
Total 287

Sash Frames 35 Feet at 1 d. per Foot 0 02 11
Poop Lantern one, at 10 d. per Foot 0 02 6
Canvas 15 Yards at 7d.½ per Yard 0 09 4
Boats one, at 9 s. 0 09 0
Oars 16, at 8 d.½ each Oar 1 11 4
Total 24 07

The whole Sum for Painting such a Ship, her Boats, and all what belongs to her Furniture, new off from the Stocks, will be 24 l. 7 s. 0 d¾.

Ft. Inch.
Memorandums of the Dimensions of her Ports Ports Fore and Aft2 5
Up and Down 2 0

Then the Area of these Parts will be 4 Ft. 2/10 which is near ½ a Yard Square, and so these Ports may be reckon'd to be.

The Sheer Rail is 4 Inches and a half deep; so that the Content of the Superficies in Square Yards will be 26 Yards, measured as a Cylinder, by making the Depth of the Rail the Diameter of such a Cylinder; and continuing the Custom of making the Measure of the biggest Rail serve for all; then allowing 7d.½ for Painting every Square Yard, they so measure, the Sum will be 16s, 3d. but the Sum as Custom is 8s. 5d. so that the Allowance for Painting, every Square Yard is but 3d. and 88/100, not quite 4 d. per Yard, or little above half Price.

The Poop-Lantern is but one of 3 Ft. long.

And now I shall proceed to make some useful Observations of the Prices and Measures in Ship-Painting; and also shall make some general Calculations for suiting and making the Prices agreeable, according as the Magnitudes of the Ships, and Superficial Content of their several and respective Parts one to another.

And in the first Place it's said, that for painting Sash Frames, (without Exception to their various Figure) the Value is 1 d. per Foot, or 9 d. per Yard Square, so that there is allowed the whole Superficial Area of the Glass, as well as the Wood, for a Pretence of an over Trouble, or some unusual Labour, to prevent the Pains from being slabber'd, which, in my Opinion, ought as well to be allow'd in Painting the Rails on the Sides, or several other projecting Parts in a Ship, so that this Branch would be much better adjusted by exactly Measuring the Wood according to its different Size, since the Work will be more or less, according to the Variety of its Dimensions, and bigness of the Sash Pains; as for Instance, let one sort of Sash Glass be one Foot Square, every Pain or Quarry, and the other Sort but 6 Inches Square accordingly; then let the Framing in the biggest Glass be 1 Inch and a half Square, and if it is made of suitable Strength in Proportion to the different Lengths, between 12 Inches and 6 Inches; then the Frames of the small Glass will be but 1 Inch and 6/100 Parts of an Inch, and the Superficial Area of the biggest Frame, according to a Proportion drawn from a direct Cylinder will be 2 Inches and 35/100; and according to the same Proportion in the least it will be 1 Inch and 65/100, so that the whole Superficies contain'd in the yard of large Glass will be 4 Foot and 7/10, and in the small Glass it will 5 Foot and 74/100, the Difference in the Painting will be 1 Foot Square in every 9 Foot, or a Square Superficial Yard of Work, and therefore besides allowing the Painter 7, 8 or 9 d. for every half Yard of Painting on the Superficies, according to the Variety of the Prices your plain Colour is allowed at, my former Hints will be again verfied, that one Ship's Property will most certainly be lost to make up the Property or Advantage of the other, and of which I shall proceed to calculate some Tables, to adjust that Part in every Particular.

Inch. Inch. Inch. Inch. Inch. Inch.
9 The Square of the Sash Pains, or Quarrys, in Inches. 1 1/16 The Side or Diameter of the Wood in each Frame in Inches and Parts. 87 The Superficial Area of one Pain or Quarry of Glass, according to the Variety of Size in each. 4 1/10 The whole Circumference of the Wood in Inches and Parts. 2 1/20 The half of the Circumference of the Wood in Inches and Parts. 5 12/100 The Superficial Area that is contain'd in the Painting. Work, according to the Variety of the Size in Feet and Parts of Feet.
10 1 3/8 100 4 3/10 2 3/20 4 35/100
11 1 7/16 121 4 5/10 2 5/20 4 5/10
12 1 ½ 144 4 7/10 2 7/20 4 7/10
13 1 9/16 169 4 9/10 2 9/20 3 6/10
14 1 5/8 196 5 3 75/100
15 1 11/16 225 5 3/10 2 13/20 3 97/100
16 1 23/32 256 5 4/10 2 7/10 4 5/100
17 1 25/32 289 5 5/10 4 12/100
18 1 27/32 324 5 6/10 2 16/20 2 53/100

You may observe, that the Variety in the Size of the Sash Quarrys, makes a great deal of Difference in the Superficial Area of the Painting-Work in each Particular, as well from the Square of the Glass, as the Bigness of the Frameing Timber.

The next Observation will be towards the Prices of the Lanterns, which you may observe, according to the established Custom, is equal, without having any manner of regard to the Variety of the Size, so that 10 d. for every Foot that any Lantern is on a Perpendicular Height, is as well given for a Lantern of 4 Foot Diameter, as one of 2 Foot Diameter, which will most certainly appear very Preposterous.

The Length or Heighth in Lanterns is very near as 2 to 1 to the Diameter of the same, and that a Ship of the largest Size, or 1700 Tun, has a Lantern of 9 Foot 3 Inches high, but the smallest sized Ship, or one of 250 Tun, has a Lantern of 3 Foot high, which Difference is more than as 3 to 1; and being the Circumference of the large Ship's Lantern is 13 Foot, one with another, that one Foot high in such a Lantern near the Middle will be 4 Foot of Painting; so that the Painter is allowed but 6 d. ¾ per Yard for twice painting the middle Part; but then he fetches it up in painting the Extreams, since the Middle and Extreames are all of one Price, and perhaps 4 to 1 Difference in the Superficial Area. However, that's not all, since there is four third and fourth Rates for one first Rate, and there are also as many fifth and sixth Rates, as there are third or fourth Rates, if you take the third or fourth Rates single; besides the small Rates being more generally used, and of Consequence the Lanterns oftener painted, from whence the Fault will appear more blameable, in making such a wild Allowance for such Work; and therefore I shall proceed to make a Calculation, according to the carious Superficial Area's contain'd in each, which will make the Error more conspicuous.

Feet. Inch. Feet. Inch. Feet. Inch. Feet. Inch.
4 2 Diameter of the Lanterns in Feet and Inches. 8 2 Length of the Lanterns in Feet and Inches. 13 Circumference of the Lanterns in Feet and Inches. 8 3/10 The Number of Inches and Parts (in Height) of the Middle that will make one Yard on the Superficies, according to the Size of each Lantern. 2 1 Half the Diameter of each Lantern.
3 6 6 7 11 8 86/100 1 9
3 8 6 6 11½ 8 39/100 1 10
3 0 8 2 12 6/10 8 58/100 2 0
3 0 5 6 9 9/10 11 42/100 1 6
2 10½ 6 0 9 11 1
2 5 4 8 7 17/20 13 65/100 1
Feet. Feet. Pence.
Half the Circumference of each Lantern. 13 60/100 The Area of the Bottom and the Top put together in each Lantern. The Price of Painting a Superficial Yard in each Lantern, with the Proviso that they were equal to a Cylinder, according to the Proportion of their several and respective Diameters which I believe them very nearly to be considering their Bottom and Top and the Superficial Work in Tapering.
9 4/10
10½
6 3/10 12 6/10
4 29/40 7 3/20
6 4/20 10
3 27/40 4 19/20 11½

It appears in these Calculations that the Value of painting these Lanterns in each perpendicular Height is near as 2 to 1, that is, between the largest Lantern and the smallest Lantern; but the Area's of the Top and Bottom are near as 3 to 1, and of Course the Work in Tapering of the Bottom and Top, (provided the Figures are agreeable in the great and small Lanterns) will be as 3 to 1 also, notwithstanding I will not inforce these Calculations to be as exact as if they were measured by the nicest Mathematical Rules; but I am positive they will be exact enough for common Practice, and that a very little Pains, from the Direction of such a Rule, will leave no room for Sticklers.

Neither will I pretend to correct the Painter, and let him know that twice painting of Tin will be less Trouble than to paint four Times on Plank or Board; but still I cannot but remind him of this, that great Part of the Lanterns are Glass, and not to be covered with Paint, and that the Cubical Area's of the Middle, will not in any manner answer the Superficial Area's of the Tapering upwards and downwards, although he may pretend to extreme Labour and loss of Paint in working his Paint into the Coopings, and parted Work, and therefore the Price per Yard to paint the several sized Lanterns must of Necessity stand as I have set it: and so I proceed to make a Calculation for the Oars.

The Oars will be nearly adjusted, by making 9 Inches and a half the Circumference throughout, from an Oar of 14 Foot long, to one of 19 Foot long, and then the Painting-Work will be as follows.

Feet. Feet. Pence. Pence.
14 The Length of an Oar from 14 to 19 Ft. long. 11 The Superficial Area in Feet and Parts of Feet contain'd in each that is to be painted. 7 The Price per Yard for painting each according to the accustomary Allowance tho the Price shou'd be 7 d. p. Yard 9 The Price for Painting each Oar should be according to their different Lengths.
15 12
16 12¾ 6 10½
17 13½ 11
18 14¼ 12
19 15 5 12¾

And so have I gone through the most Material Cases, that will happen in painting most Ships, I shall, to finish this Observation, make some general Calculations, and set down what the Price should be for the Ports, Rails, Head, Stern, and Galleries, according to what the Allowance is for painting a Yard of Work on a plain Superficies, believing there can be no better Guide to adjust this Branch of the Painter's Work.

The Price of the Red Ports, agreeable to their different Area's one with another should be For the first Rate
For the second Size 8
For the third Size 7
For the fourth Size
For the fifth Size
For the sizth Size

These are the Prices that should be given the Painter to make them equal to 7 d. ½ per Yard for plain Colours.

The Price of the imbossed Rail, agreeable to their different Area's ought to be one with another, as aforesaid. For the first Rate 2 3/10
For the second Size 2 1/10
For the third Size 2
For the fourth Size 1 8/10
For the fifth Size 1 44/100
For the sizth Size 1 46/100

These are the Prices that should be given the Painter, for every Yard in Length, as it's term'd Running Measure to make the Price agreeable to 7 d. ½ per Yard for plain Colours.

I proceed now to shew the Prices for the Head, Stern and Galleries, and that I shall do from the Measure of the Ship, either from the Length of the Head, Depth of the Ship's Side in the Midships, or the Breadth of the Ship Extreme, believing that such Dimensions will be the most agreeable to obtain such Proportions.

Feet. Fett. l. s.
24 Height of the side in the first sized Ship 576 Square of the Height. 17 00 Price of the Head, Stern, and Gallery as custom.
21 Ditto in the second sized Ship 441 14 00
14 Ditto in the third sized Ship 196 9 00
13 Ditto in the fourth sized Ship 169 5 00
11 Ditto in the fifth sized Ship 121 3 05
9 Ditto in the sixth sized Ship 81 1 10
l. s. d. l. s. d. Feet. In.
17 00 0 Price according to the Proportion of the Square Number, reducing it from the large Size. 10 06 2 Price in bringing the large Size to the Price of the Small, according to the Square Number. 17 2 Length of each Ship's Head.
13 00 0 8 02 6 16 1
15 18 0 3 14 0 12 3
4 19 6 3 02 6 10 7
3 10 9 2 05 0 8 10
2 08 0 1 10 0 6 5
Feet. In. l. s. d. l. s. d.
295 4 The Square of the Length of the Head. 17 0 0 Price of the Heads, Stern, and Galleries, agreeing the Small Ships to the great. 13 5 0 Price of the Head, Stern, and Galleries, agreeing the great Ships with the small.
259 2 15 0 0 9 5 0
151 2 8 15 0 5 8 0
114 4 6 12 0 4 2 0
65 6 3 16 0 2 6 4
41 2 2 8 3 1 10 0

Feet. Feet. Feet. Feet. l. s.
48 Breadth of the six Ships, which multiply'd by the Depth is 24 × by 48 is 1152 Then to bring the Price of the small Ships to the greatest, according to this Proportion it will be 17 0
45 21 45 945 13 9
40 14 40 560 8 5
34 13 34 442 6 10
29 11 29 319 4 14
24 9 24 216 3 3

l. s. d.
And to bring the Price of the large Ships to the small, according to such a Proportion it will be 7 17 0
6 10 0
3 16 9
3 01 0
2 04 0
1 10 0

And these Proportions will be suitable, and the Value of one will undeniable be exactly in Proportion to the Value if the other, according to their various Superficies on the Head, Stern and Galleries, provided the Figures´that are to be explain'd, correspond, and are agreeable one to another, according to the different Bulk: However, such Similitudes seldom happen, by reason of the Curiosity and Niceness which is required, in setting off and adorning a large Ship, to what it is in a small Ship, excepting our Pleasure Boats and Yatchs, which are purely built for Sight and Comeliness, and therefore the exact Value of Painting Sterns, Galleries, and Heads, should be adjusted by measuring every Individual Figure that is placed on such Parts; and yet I am really apt to believe, that first, second, and third Rate Ship's Heads, &c. may be adjusted according to their Superficial Area's, as aforesaid; and also all fourth, fifth and sixth Rates may be likewise put together, and adjusted by their Superficial Area's, as of one set forth, since they are generally set out and adorn'd agreeable in every respect.

And having finished the Hull of the Ship, I shall proceed to consider of the Value of the Equipping, and first of the Masts, which are most Material, as well in Price as being the first Movers in Rigging the Machine. The customary Prices are as follows.


Sutherland, William: Prices of the Shipbuilding Adjusted: or, the Mystery of Ship-Building Unveiled. Being a Brief Explanation of the Value of the Labouring Part in Ship-Building; from a Ship of the biggest Magnitude to a small boat. First, Shewing the Working the whole Ship, according to the Length, Breadth, Depth and Girth; and then by Sub-divisions shews the value of every particular Part.
D.L., London, 1717. pp 190-203.
Second part of Britain's Glory: or, Shipbuilding Unvail'd, 1717.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius


Sjöhistoriska Samfundet | The Maritime History Virtual Archives | Shipbuilding.

Copyright © 2000 Lars Bruzelius.