by John Marshall

“ In fact, the discovery of the true axis of rotation will be a complete key to the improvement of naval architecture, as all the forces, which are so constantly and variously acting, are estimated by the distances from the axis of rotation to the points where they are applied. ”

“ It is a new fact in science, and practically useful in a valuable art allied to our national glories, and is therefore doubly interesting. The axis of rotation has been fixed by Captain Pearse’s experiments at some distance above the centre of gravity of the ship, and in the point which is known by the name of the metacentre; and we understand he considers the complexity of the theory, and not having considered the subject in a sufficiently practical shape, to have led authors into the error of confounding the centre of gravity of the ship with the axis of rotation ”

“ It is not in the province of a newspaper to discuss scientifically points of mechanical interest, but the importance of a discovery of this nature will be easily understood by all nautical men, and especially by those who know any thing of naval architecture. ”