then the end of his difficulties, and soon satisfied himself as to the means of overcoming them. His next enquiry was as to the means of getting through the water with least resistance. To determine this, he commenced a series of experiments with models of vessels in a small tank of water, and soon found that the round full bluff bow adopted for sailing vessels was quite unsuited for speed with mechanical propulsion of a different nature. This led him to adopt the fine wedge-like bows by which the vessels built under his superintendence were afterwards so distinguished.” Napier established regular steam-packet communication between Greenock and Belfast by means of the ROB ROY, a vessel of 90 tons burden and 30 horse power. After plying for two years between these ports with great regularity and success, the ROB ROY was transferred to the English Channel as a packet between Dover and Calais. Cross-channel steamboats between England and Ireland were first introduced in 1816, when the steam-packet HIBERNIA was built by a company to carry passengers between Holyhead and Howth. The HIBERNIA was 112 tons burden, 77 feet keel measurement, and 9 feet draft. She was lugger rigged, and capable of making the passage by sails only. Her average passage, Holyhead to Howth, was about seven hours, and her passengers frequently had the satisfaction of arriving in Dublin considerably in advance of the Mail packets. [Illustration: Paddlewheeler ship] FOOTNOTES: [11] “History of Steam Navigation,” Adm. Prebble, U.S.N. Chapter VI. Early Clyde Steam-packets.—Season Tickets issued, 1816.—First steamer to cross the English Channel.—DUMBARTON CASTLE steams round North of Scotland, 1819.—First serious Accident to a Steam-packet.—Clyde Passenger Fares, 1818. Many circumstances combined to make the Clyde the birthplace and the home of the Marine Steam Engine. Coal and iron mines were in close proximity, and skilled labour for the construction of engines and of ships was abundant. The beautiful Firth, with its numerous lochs and islands, constituted an ideal locality for the employment of steamboats while yet the art of steamship building was in its infancy. And on the shores of the River, or within easy distance of it, dwelt a large industrial population, eager to take advantage of the facilities for travel which steamboats afforded.