Boat, a small open vessel worked by oars or sails. The formation and names of boats are different, according to the purposes for which they are intended: hence they are slight or strong, with a keel, or flat-bottom, open, half, or whole decked, and plain or ornamented.

M. Bernieres invented a boat which is not liable to be overset or sunk. Some trials were made with this vessel, at Paris, in the year 1/77, in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators. Eight men went into the boat, and rocked it till it filled with water, and afterwards rowed it along the river in that state, without danger of sinking. M. Bernieres then ordered a mast to be erected in the same boat, when filled with water, and hauled down by a rope fastened to the top of the mast, till it touched the surface of the river, so that the 1 heeled in a position to which neither winds nor waves could bring her ; yet as soon as the rope was let go, the boat recovered her equipoise in less than a second. This experiment proved that the-boat could neither be sunk nor overturned, and that it afforded the greatest possible security against accidents. Hence this invention is of the first importance to the inhabitants of maritime states.

In the year 1785, a patent was granted to Mr. Lukin for his improvement in the construction of boats and small vessels, so that they will neither overset nor sink. This useful invention is described in the specification of the patent, as follows: To the outsides of boats and vessels, of the common or any other form, are projecting gunwales, sloping from the top of the common gunwale, in a faint curve, towards the water, so as not to interrupt the oars in rowing ; and, from the extreme projection (which maybe greater or less, according to the size and use the boat or vessel is intended for), returning to the side in a slight curve, at a proper distance above the water-line. These projecting gunwales may be made solid, of any light materials, that will repel the water, or hollow and water-tight, or of cork, and covered with thin wood, canvas, leather, tin, or any other light metal, mixture, or composition. These projections are very small at the stem and stern, and increase gradually to the dimensions required ; they will effectually prevent the boat or vessel from being overset by sudden squalls, or violent gales of wind, either in sailing or rowing, or by imprudent or unskilful management. In the inside at the stem and stern, and at the sides (where the projecting gunwales are not necessary", and under the seats and thwarts, are. inclosures, or bulk-heads, made waterNewly invented by Thomas Ritlzer of Hamburgh water-tight, or filled with cork, or other light materials that will repel the water : the spaces between the timbers may in like manner be filled up. By this means, the boat or vessel will be so much lighter than the body of water it must displace in sinking, that it will with safety carry more than its common burthen, though the remaining space should by any accident be filled with water. Under the bottom, along the centre of the keel, is affixed a false one of cast iron, or other metal ; this will strengthen and protect the bottom from injury in many cases; and, by being placed so much below the surface of the water, will aft as ballast with more power than a much greater weight in the common situation, and is much more safe, by being fixed in the proper place, and not liable to shift by any sudden motion of the boat or vessel.