Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That’s quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible.
P. 133: “Much interest has been created during the week amongst naval men at Portsmouth by the appearance of three of the largest of the noble clipper ships taken up for the conveyance of troops to India, equipped with Mr. Cunningham's admirable invention for reefing topsails, &c, from the deck, now so generally known as “Cunningham's Patent Self-reefing Topsail.” They consist of the Champion of the Seal, Golden Fleece, and Lady Jocelyn. The former ship has just returned from a voyage to Australia with the rig, and Captain M’Kinder speaks in the highest terms of its many advantages; and the Golden Fleece, after having gone a voyage to Brazil with two topsails, has now a third one fitted, which evidences the opinion of her commander, at whose request it has been done. It was the opinion of naval men that Mr. Cunningham's invention would not answer on large ships; but the perfect success of it on board the Champion of the Seas, whose topsail yards are heavier than those of a 90-gun ship, clearly proves that the application of it is unlimited, and that Mr. Cunningham has completed a work of innovation in navigation that must be considered as one of the greatest improvements of the age. It is pleasing to observe that the naval world is beginning to recognize the value of Mr. Cunningham’s labours. A practical and intelligent officer, who lately commanded one of H. M.’s screw steamfrigates, writes of it as “the most valuable invention of modern times, and may lift up its head even against the marine steam engine” and the lively interest which has been exhibited at Portsmouth on the occasion of the visit of these large ships with the “Cunningham system,” evince that the navy, although disinclined to adopt such a vast innovation itself, at least appreciates the value of it.”
Source
The Mechanic’s magazine, volume 67, Saturday 8 August 1857.
P. 133: “Much interest has been created during the week amongst naval men at Portsmouth by the appearance of three of the largest of the noble clipper ships taken up for the conveyance of troops to India, equipped with Mr. Cunningham's admirable invention for reefing topsails, &c, from the deck, now so generally known as “Cunningham's Patent Self-reefing Topsail.” They consist of the Champion of the Seal, Golden Fleece, and Lady Jocelyn. The former ship has just returned from a voyage to Australia with the rig, and Captain M’Kinder speaks in the highest terms of its many advantages; and the Golden Fleece, after having gone a voyage to Brazil with two topsails, has now a third one fitted, which evidences the opinion of her commander, at whose request it has been done. It was the opinion of naval men that Mr. Cunningham's invention would not answer on large ships; but the perfect success of it on board the Champion of the Seas, whose topsail yards are heavier than those of a 90-gun ship, clearly proves that the application of it is unlimited, and that Mr. Cunningham has completed a work of innovation in navigation that must be considered as one of the greatest improvements of the age. It is pleasing to observe that the naval world is beginning to recognize the value of Mr. Cunningham’s labours. A practical and intelligent officer, who lately commanded one of H. M.’s screw steamfrigates, writes of it as “the most valuable invention of modern times, and may lift up its head even against the marine steam engine” and the lively interest which has been exhibited at Portsmouth on the occasion of the visit of these large ships with the “Cunningham system,” evince that the navy, although disinclined to adopt such a vast innovation itself, at least appreciates the value of it.”
Source
The Mechanic’s magazine, volume 67, Saturday 8 August 1857.
