The swan’s head is reserved for the captain’s quarters.  His rooms are spacious and well suited to his work; his windows are, some plane, some concave, some convex, so that he can see both near and distant objects.  As the swan’s head is high above the body of the swan, the captain occupies a very commanding position.  Outside the head there is a terrace for his use.

Our ships are very large, that each passenger may have the utmost accommodation, for we do not like to imprison our people in a narrow space; and an ordinary vessel holds several hundred passengers, besides merchandise.

To propel our vessels we use electric power, and they move as fast as your quickest railway trains; but nevertheless can be stopped almost instantaneously.  The wheels outside the body of the swan, set in motion by internal electric machinery, revolve with extraordinary rapidity.  To set the machinery in motion it is necessary to wind up powerful chains, and a strong horse is used for the purpose.  One horse is sufficient for the longest voyage, but four are kept on board in case of accidents.  The machinery could be so constructed that the horse would not be necessary; but for this arrangement much more space would be required.  If even all the horses were disabled—­a thing which hitherto has never occurred—­the machinery could be kept in motion by manual power and leverage.

Though the propelling power is great, it can be reversed, moderated, or entirely suspended with the greatest ease.  As soon as the ship is stopped, the two large “web-feet” attached to the keel fall down and assist in checking her headway.

To steer our vessels we use a winch or rudder, which runs from stem to stern underneath the swan’s belly, and is connected with a wheel below the water.  This rudder, which is made of metal and covered with hippopotamus hide, is sharp and slightly rounded.  The mode in which it is fixed gives the steersman great control over the vessel, the more so as it moves the swan’s head as well as the tail by direct action.

TIMBER FOR SHIPS.

Before timber is employed for ships, or indeed for constructions of any kind, it is thoroughly seasoned by being exposed to the sun at particular hours of the day.  Timbers that have passed through this process never shrink or warp.

In accordance with my directions, wood cannot be used in shipbuilding until so prepared that no insects will touch it.

In certain parts of the bottom of the great ravine is a liquid, the admixture of refuse of all kinds.  After some years this liquid becomes of a golden colour for the depth of about two inches only; beneath, it is of a muddy brown.  It was accidentally discovered that the golden liquor so hardened wood that no insect could make any impression upon it, and no moisture could penetrate the fibres.  There is some difficulty in skimming and obtaining the liquid in a pure state; but the operation having been performed, it is carefully preserved in large vats and remains ready for use.