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[NAVAL TECHNOLOGY]. HEATHCOTE, Henry (1777-1851). Treatise on stay-sails for the purpose of intercepting wind between the square-sails of ships and other square-rigged vessels… London: Baldwin, Cradock and Joy, 1824. 8vo. Illustrated with engraved frontispiece and 14 engraved plates. 77, [1, blank] pp. Publisher's plain boards, printed paper label on spine (spine label chipped, boards rubbed and soiled, headcap of spine chipped, ownership ink inscription on front board at top, later armorial bookplate, interior clean). Very good. FIRST AND ONLY EDITION OF SIR HENRY HEATHCOTE'S DEMONSTRATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HIS IMPROVED STAY-SAILS. The Naval an Military Magazine (1827, Vol. I) reviewed the work, commenting: “However elaborate the diagrams, practical proofs must always be preferred on professional points; and, though the baronet is backed by Euclid, and assures his readers he is supported in his theory by the opinions of experienced officers, it is not too much here to assert, that the majority of both the new and old school will dispute the utility of staysails, in any shape, set upon a wind; and few, it is presumed, will approve of the cut of Sir Henry's jib." The same journal later notes that several naval commanders have reviewed the staysails favorably, and that they have been adopted by the Americans following successful trials.