Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-07-31

The principles of Their Construc-
ton - where They are Being
Rufid.

The Principles OF Their COnstruc-
ton where They are Being
Built.
The Inventions Of Captain Francis L
Norton in the use OF water ballast for yes
sells Of every size and kind is a revolution
in ship building. The system does away
with iron and lead ballast entirely, and by
a series OF water chambers the ocean itself
is used as ballast. 1t is claimed that a
boat or vessel ballasted In this manner can
nsither sink or capsize.
These very desirable qualities are OBJ
tanned by the use Of a number OF metal
ballasting chambers placed in the lower
part of the boat. They vary in shape
according to the model Of the vessel and
extend up the side slightly above the
water line Holes in the bottom beside
the keel give the water entrance to these
chambers. When the vessel is launched
the water enters these holes, driving the
surplus air out through automatic valves
Ia the top of the chambers and filling them
with water; excepting that part that ex-
tends slightly up the sides, from which
the sir is not expelled, but remains as a
cushion. The vessel Is, therefore, really
floating on the false or inside button, but
sailing on the outside button. When the
vessel careens the pressure of air In the lee
ward chambers and the weight Of the water
in the windward chambers tends to restore
it at onoe to an even keel. The heavier the
vessel is loaded the safer it is, as the pres
sure OF the air in the ballast chambers in
creases with the load. Hermeticallv sealed
chambers are placed in an angle Of the bal
lass chambers and In available space
throughout the vessel, making it practically
unsuitable.
The company which owns the patents
covering these inventions In the United
States and Canada is known 80 The Norton
Naval Construction and Ship Building
Company. Captain Francis L. Norton the
inventor of the system is the general super
intendent OF the company, with offices in
Jersey City. The company has a capital
Of s750,OOO. The capital stock issued has
been all paid up. The stockholders are
New York, Philadelphia and Washington
business men. A few shares are held in the
Eastern States. The company have 50 APP
plicants on their books. Many contracts
are negotiating and q number have been
verbally closed. Work will be common ced
In time for next season, and before the
middle Of next winter, probably IL ship
yards will be at work. The company ex-
poets to do great business with the steam
ship companies for life-bosts. They have
built one liIe-boat for the United States
Navy which stood severe tests and gave
| perfect satisfaction.
Captain Norton and family are In this
city. They will sail this week on the cap
tain's yacht Phoebe. for a cruise down
Chesapeake Bay. The.Phoebe was origin
ally yacht of the old model. Since the
Norton system of water ballast cham bers
have been added. the sailing qualities have
been increased 80 per cent. and the free
board has been raised three inches. In ed
dition to the yacht which Bannar
and Mum are building on this
system for Mr.. Marvin Of New York.
there are also two others building. A life
boat for the Innlan Steamship line, 80 feet
long, 81 feet beam and AZ inches deep.
This boat will not sink or capsizs when full
OF people and water. The other is lie
boat OF the same Dimensions for the
English life saving service. This has beer
purchased by Captain Norton's friends in
England, and will be presented to the ser
vice, whish is supported by voluntary
contributions.
The small lifeboat for the yacht Narod
Of New York is completed. It is less ther
10 feet long and tbs company gets $500
for il.
At f. Desmond's shipyard In Hoboken
n. j., two yachts are being built for New
York parties. One is 80 feet long, the otheI
90 feet. Charles Weider & Sons OF Balti
more are building a yacht for Captain
Norton's own use. The dimensions are
Length, 60 feet; beam, 10 feet; depth,
feet. This yacht will be used for racing
purposes A pamphlet issued by the com
pany contains many testimonial letters from
persons 10 this and other countries, WHIT
are authorities on lifeboat and shipbuildinl
matters.