Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-04-14
How d Ship is Launched.

When ship IL building. her keel rests on
series of blocks Of wood placed about three
feet apart, and she is supported on either
side BY pieces of UNDERGONE end OF each
Shore as these limbers are technically term
ed, resting on the ground, aud the other
'shoring up the ship, or 10 other words, keep.
ing her from falling over sideways. The or
dinary practice in building ships is 10 place
the stern next The water, and the head ofthe
ship up the yard, 20 hat the vessel shall 20
stern foremost into the river When tIs
launching time comes, the ship requires 10 be
released from aIl these supports and barriers.
and it may interest the country readers at
least 10 explain how this is done.
First OF ALL large beams Of timber sre
placed lengthwise under each side ol the ship.
with q slight inclination towuStl- -rthe water
end of them. These timbers are bolied 10
blocks Of wood in the ground, and they have
other pieces OF timber bOlted 10 the sides Of
them so as to form ways as the shpwrights
say, or grooves, by which the ships to move
into the water. The next process is to place
another beam of timber on each Of these
'ways,' and to bolt smaller pieces of timber
upon, which are fitted bur not fastened 10 the
ships side, so as 10 form kind Of cradle in
which the vessel is TO rest, which goes into
the wnier. The beams of timber fixed TO the
blocks are plentiluliy creased with soft soap
and oil, 10 make the vessel move smoothly !;
and when all is in readiness, the supporters
are knocked away, and The ship glides into
the water.
The ship is liberated by striking down her
dagger which are the last hindrances 10
taking the water. There is dagger SO
called, at each side Of the ship. IL is just at
the head of The launching timbers. and 10
simply square piece Of wood, placed in
slanling direction, one end Of which rests
aganst the fixed beams Of timber which lie
under the vessel, and the other end is plsced
against the cradle on which the ship rests
Ii is an honorable distinction in a ship-buld-
er's yard 10 knock down the daggers, and tits
the custom 10 award the honor to the two
oldest apprentices. Underneath the dagger
small piece Of wood is placed on end, 10
prevent the dagger falling of itself; and a
chisel is also driven into the wood to keep
The tom, as il il called, in its place. These
are alike on both sides Of the ship, and, as il
has been slated, il is the privilege Of the two
Oldest apprentices TO take charge Of the de-
partmenE
The real interest Of a ship launch is brief
bu; exciting thing. II commences when the
men lie along under the vessel to 'give her
rally that is. to drive 10 number OF wedges
10 ease the ship off the blocks under her keel.
A couple Of hundred men may be about the
ship in this work, and at the voice of the
lending man, every one Of them strikes his
wedge, at the same instant gradually raising
the ship, and producing sound like muff1ed
thunder. The centre blocks are then removed
and The shores taken away from the sides Of
the ship. The ship is now ready for launch
ing, and the master ship-builder and his
friends stand at the head of tile vessel.
The men place themselves down each side
Of the ways, The signal Out oakum' is given,
and Immediately the oakum, which has kept
The dust from the greuse, is removed. AL
out, sir is the response. Out keys is the
next command, and as quickly ns III the for
mer case the men remove some small pieces
OF wood, which have been placed down the
ways TO assure them tha; all continues true.
Again The men respond, 'AIl out, sir and
they hasten from the sides of the ship. The
whole interest is now in the daggers, both o
which the master shipwrght sees. Out
chisels,' 'out small TOMS down daggers,
follow in rapid order, and the ship Is freed
from her restraints. She gIides down the
ways, big wave rises as she touches The wa
ter, enlarging itself MS she gets off The stocks,
and the ship is launched.