CENTRE

LINE OF  SH`FT INN 0 Elevation . Transverse Section bars extending to the upper deck; each tier of beams is securely riveted to them, and their lower ends are connected to the margin plate by strong brackets . At intervals the channel-bar frames are replaced by deep built-up frames, the frequency of which depends on local requirements . Heavy side stringers of the same depth as the deep frames run fore arid aft, to stiffen the side between the bilges and the first plated deck . Where the deep frames are cut by these 980 local support to the bottom as well as general strength to the vessel . There are in a warship so many structural features, such as water-tight bulkheads and flats or platforms, required for the necessary subdivision, armour decks, plating and framing behind armour, &c., which are made to contribute to the strength of the structure as a whole, that the strength of the shell-plating and the transverse framing can be proportionately reduced . In a merchant ship there are many considerations which require the structure to be stronger and heavier than would be necessary'COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION door or from a deck above water, or from both . Below the protective deck are the engine and boiler spaces, magazines, shell-rooms, submerged torpedo rooms, and steering-gear . A passage is provided on each side of the ship just below the protective deck, for the supply of ammunition to the secondary armament . Fig . 118 shows the " Idzumo " partially in frame, looking forward from the after extremity: the frames below the armour deck over a considerable length of the ship are complete, and a number of the beams which carry the armour deck are in place . Fig .

119 shows the

ram stem, which has just been placed in position . The collision bulkhead and the framing below the armour deck are for the most part in place . Fig . 120 gives the top of the armour deck, which is nearly completed, as seen from the fore end, with the forward citadel on a 9 g . t ~ 'e' 6 4', M ' 'e' 6' 65 in perspective . to withstand the wind and waves which she may encounter . The continual change of cargo and of disposition of cargo necessitates special local strength throughout . The custom, often pursued, of grounding vessels to discharge cargo, and their liability to touch the ground in the ports they frequent, make the provision of great strength in the floors and the shell-plating essential . Other considerations affect the decks, and call for local strength in them with corresponding increase of weight . Most warships, except gunboat, torpedo and other small craft, have double bottoms, chiefly for protection against damage in action, but also against accidental grounding . The space between the bottoms is divided into a large number of compartments by making some of the frames and longitudinals water-tight . The inner bottom extends on each side to the turn of the bilge, and from that point is carried up vertically as a wing bulkhead, as shown in fig .

122, the wing spaces thus formed being occasionally utilized for

coal-bunkers . The framing, consisting of frame bars, reverse frame bars and frame plates or brackets, is usually carried up in a fair curve to the armour shelf, supposing the vessel to be an armour-clad, as in fig . 122 . From the edge of the armour, which is generally about 5 ft. below the load water-line, a change in structure is made, and the framing behind the armour is set back from the outside of the ship sufficiently to admit of an internal skin of steel plating (often worked in two thicknesses), teak backing, upon which the armour is embedded, and the armour itself, to be carried with the surface of the armour flush with the shell-plating . The vertical frames behind armour are spaced 2 ft. apart, and the longitudinals are made intercostal, the whole having exceptional strength, to support the armour . Above the armour another change is made, the frames being brought again to the outside of the ship, and the topside plating directly attached to them becoming flush with the outside of the armour . There is generally a strong deck, called the protective deck, extending from stem to stern in the form of a turtle-back, the lower edges being at the armour shelf on each side of the ship, and the top of the arch forming the first deck above water, as indicated in fig . 120 . With a view to maintaining its defensive power where it has to be perforated for funnels and air shafts, armour gratings, or armour bars as they are called, are fitted in the openings . As much water-tight subdivision as possible is introduced throughout the ship, but for communication between the various compartments openings are provided in the bulkheads, having water-tight doors which can be closed either from a position close to the evation . Fin . 123.-Steering Gear of Merchant Ship .

bulkhead in course of construction . Fig . 121 shows the after part of the vessel, which is not so far advanced as the forward portion shown in fig . 120 . In fig . 121 the framing has been carried to a bulk-

head near the after extremity, the rudder post is in place, and the bearing for the rudder head can be seen in the foreground . The construction of the armour deck is proceeding, and the after citadel bulkhead is also well advanced, though no backing is yet upon it, as in the case of the forward bulkhead, but the base of the redoubt which carries the after turret is erected . The fittings in a ship cannot be fully described in the present article, but we shall conclude with some account of the auxiliary machinery . Two ordinary arrangements of steering-gear Auxiliary fitted in merchant steamers are shown in fig . 123 . In the machinery. first example a three-quarter circular grooved rim, keyed to the rudder head, carries the steering-chains, which are led forward one on each side of the hatches to the steam engine, placed in this case in the engine-room casing, and controlled by shafting from the bridge . The usual steering-wheel is fitted on the bridge, and actuates the controlling valve of the steam engine by means of the shafting .

The second example is very similar to the first: a quadrant is keyed Elevation . [FIG . 124.-Steering Gear of Warship . on the rudder head, and worked by chains led over pulleys one on each side of the ship to the steam gear, which in this case is placed on the bridge, close to the wheel . In all such cases gear is also provided by which in an emergency the ship can be steered by

hand, by steering-wheels placed close to the rudder head, as indicated in the figures . In a warship the arrangement is different, as it is necessary to keep the steering gear below the water-line for protection . The breadth available at the rudder head is as a rule not sufficient for a tiller or quadrant to be fitted . Fig . 124 illustrates an arrangement frequently adopted . A crosshead of sufficient size is keyed on to the rudder head, and is worked by connecting rods from a similar crosshead placed a little farther forward, where the breadth of the ship is sufficient to allow a tiller to be worked . The tiller is worked by a block or carriage, which is drawn across the ship on a guide, at the same time sliding upon the tiller, which is machined for the purpose . The block-and-guide arrangement is known as Rapson's slide .

The block is hauled to and fro across the ship by a

chain which passes round a sprocket wheel upon a shaft, which is driven in either direction, as required, by the steering-engine . In fig . 125 the arrangement is shown which has been for a considerable period adopted in large merchant ships and has in recent years been adopted in ships of the British navy . It is known as screw steering gear . On the same central shaft there are right- and left-handed screws as indicated on the plan, by which blocks A and B are made to travel always in the opposite direction when the shaft is rotated . These actuate the crosshead on the rudder E by means of the rods C and D, one of which will communicate a thrust and the other a pull, and vice versa according to which way the shaft is made to rotate . The shaft may be actuated either by hand-gear or by steam by means of the clutch F . In many cases the steam steering-engine is placed in the engine-room, to avoid heating the after-compartments by the steam pipes, and for the sake of easier control by the engineers . Amongst the auxiliary machinery usually fitted in passenger and other well-found vessels may be mentioned the windlass for working the cables and weighing the anchors; a warping capstan forward in connexion with the windlass, and another aft with its own engine; steam winches for handling the cargo and baggage, and for hoisting coals on board; and occasionally steam cranes, fitted either in addition to or in place of the winches . Then there are the electric light, pumping, ventilating and refrigerating installations . Hydraulic power is employed in many cases, especially for cranes, but here the source of the power is necessarily a steam engine, which is usually placed in the main engine-room . Electric power sometimes replaces steam for operating some of the machines enumerated above; for instance, ventilating fans are now generally driven by electric motors in passenger and war ships .

A large number of comparatively small fans are used, each supplying air to a particular part of the ship . In warships the amount of auxiliary machinery has been very greatly increased in recent years . On each side of the deck amidships there is generally a steam winch for raising and lowering the boats, one of the

principal functions of the mast in the modern warship being to carry the derrick used for this purpose . Electric motors are fitted for working the after-capstans, ash hoists, sometimes the winches, and the workshop machinery; also to traverse, elevate and work the guns, and bring the powder and projectiles up from the magazines to the guns . But for the heavier guns, the steering-gear, and certain other purposes, hydraulic power or steam is still preferred . The writer is indebted to Mr H . G . Williams, Mr Lloyd Wool-lard and Mr A . W . A . Cluett for valuable assistance in preparing this article . (P .