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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A 1737 letter in the Gentleman's Magazine proposes a remedy for ship leaks using an oakum-filled net, successfully tested on HMS Antelope over 20 years prior, to aid seafarers.
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Full Text
SIR;
Reading in your Magazine for July, the deplorable Condition of the Wretches who eat one another, and the first Cause, it induced me to write to you the following Remedy for a Leak in a Ship, not thinking it is known or practised; but can assure it was tried with Success on his Majesty's Ship Antelope, above 20 Years ago; viz. Let a small Net be made with the Meshes 4 or 5 Inches Diameter, and fill'd with Oakum, with proper Weights just enough to sink it; let it be gently hauled fore and aft the Outfides of the Ship, and it will quickly find out the Leak, by the Violence of the Suction, and the Oakum continually drawing thro' the Meshes of the Net, will stop it and stick fast, until proper Means can be used to do it more effectually. If you please to publish this for the Good of my Countrymen who use the Seas, you will oblige,
Your humble Servant,
L. T.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Foreign News Details
Event Date
Above 20 Years Ago
Key Persons
Outcome
tried with success on his majesty's ship antelope
Event Details
Let a small Net be made with the Meshes 4 or 5 Inches Diameter, and fill'd with Oakum, with proper Weights just enough to sink it; let it be gently hauled fore and aft the Outfides of the Ship, and it will quickly find out the Leak, by the Violence of the Suction, and the Oakum continually drawing thro' the Meshes of the Net, will stop it and stick fast, until proper Means can be used to do it more effectually.