scale than heretofore.

The stern frames were laid off and put up at once correctly, which before had been first shaped by full-sized wooden moulds.

I also contrived a mode of quickly and correctly laying off the frame-lines on a model, by laying it on a plane surface, and then, with a rectangular block traversing it--a pencil in a suitable holder being readily applied over the curved surface.

This method is now in general use.
Even at that time, competition as regards speed in the Clyde steamers was very keen.

Foremost among the competitors was the late Mr.David Hutchinson, who, though delighted with the Mountaineer, built by the Thomsons in 1853, did not hesitate to have her lengthened forward to make her sharper, so as to secure her ascendency in speed during the ensuing season.