EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
483 
packet for the Ionian Islands; all which are built on the same mode of security as 
the Medea, and have proved to be excellent sea boats, possessing speed, ease, and 
comfort combined with superior strength of fabric. 
PLATES CIV. to CVIL 
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NILE STEAM SHIP, BUILT FOR THE 
BASHAW OF EGYPT. 
That steam vessels will become of more and more importance, as well in a 
commercial point of view as in warfare, is a point now generally admitted; and 
though they may never entirely supersede the vessel impelled with sails, it is likely 
they will ultimately be employed in all services for which sailing vessels are now 
used—except that of the service for which ships of the line are employed. In 
carrying on experiments for the general improvement of steam navigation, there 
must necessarily be failures; but the advantages and particular interest the intro 
duction of an extensive steam navigation involves, must ultimately engage the 
energies of every nation at all interested in maritime pursuits, and desirous of the 
benefits that an extensive application offers. 
The use that these vessels are found to be in towing ships in and out of harbours, 
and carrying mails, is now evident; and the advantages proposed by them in 
warfare are too great to suffer the neglect of any experiment that may bear any 
evidence of improvement. With a proper rig, they may be rendered effective for 
almost every purpose for which sailing vessels are employed; while their dis 
advantages on comparison are small. The liability of their machinery to be 
destroyed by shot, and the space and weight of machinery required for impelling 
the vessel, are the greatest objections that can be urged against them:—and may 
be particular objects for the attention of engineers. 
In the construction of the Nile these were subjects particularly attended to, 
without speculating beyond what was warranted by experiment: to reduce the 
consumption of fuel by her engines, bad conductors of heat were placed over her 
boilers, &c., such as felt and cement; and from their construction and position, a 
greater space than common was obtained for the coals. To ensure, as far as 
possible, the protection of the engines in the event of her being engaged in warfare,