Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-12-27
LAUNoHlNo 4 uArlso1-.
II IL n Complex Problem, and a slight Mis-.
tako Would Cost Millions.

Albert franklin Matthews tells an In.
torestinR story Of Tho Evolution Of a
Battlcship' in Tho Century. This Is a
history Of the construction OF tho Indiana
After describing the wonderful power OF
this monster md the manner OF Its con.
struction Mr.. Matthews says,
80 tho building goes ON until the launch
ing day comes, and two broad ways nrp
built up against tho bottom Of tho vessel,
and tho kool blocks on which Il has boon
resting nrc knocked away In tho launch
of the Indiana Mr., Nixon rnn row OF
electric lights beneath the bottom Of tho
vessel, adding another innovation TO tho
details Of American shipbuilding Each
launching why consists OF upper and low
cr plankug. between which is spread
thousands Of pounds Of tho best tallow
At tho bow df the boat these upper aud
lower plnnka are olampcd together aud
when al Is ready they nro sawed apart,
and tho vessel starts. The upper part OF
the ways slides Into the water with the
vessel, and the lower part, with the sinok-
ing hot tallow, remains stationary.
A launch in these days Is 10 smooth and
W. soon ended, rarely occupying moro than
~ seconds from start 10 finish, that ono
scarcely realizes is difficulties. Thrco
things aro absolutely necQssafy--lt musu
DO on time, when the tidal water ~ high
est IL must be OF smart speed, so ns not to
stick ON ITS downward journey TO tho WA.
ter, and 1t must he accomplished without
gtrnining. SO complex a thing Ia a launch
tint the careful engineer In charge is ahlo
TO estimate the strain ON every part Of tho
vessel fgr every position ID ocouplcs az In.
teryals Of ono foot on It's way down tho
incline.
There Ia ono supreme moment, II Is
when tho vessel is nealry two-thlrls in
the water, Tho buoyanoy Of tho wator
raises the vessel and throws its weight on
It's shoulders, Hero is where tho greatest
danger Of straining comes, and should
the ways break down tho vessel would DO
ruined, matter OF nearly 49, 600, 600 IN "a
ship like tho Iudlnnawh il waslAunohcd
The launch over. tho machinery Is lltlNd
In and fitted, and then comes tho board Of
govern 1ant experts. who look the vessel
over inch by inon, the fires aro started
mud tho trial trip follows. For four
hours, amid suppressed excitement THAI
answers nsryously to every CULVER Of the
vessel, the yngines arc run at fun speed.
a premium or penalty is at stake now.
Nv VI a WV VI VIZ
incnt OF d valve may mean thousands u
dollars loss TO the contractors. Trained
workmen are locked In tho ilrerooms, not
to be released until tho test is over Cooled
drinking water, With oatmeal sprinkled
upon It, is run down 10 them In a rubber
tube from barrel on the deck. A hose
Is played on the costly machinery In places
whcre there is danger from oycrheating,
as though IL worc on Gre. Almost every
pound OF oonl used on tho trip IA carefully
selected.
When tho four hours arc passed and the
strain IS over, .irh OF relief from every
ono on board aud even the vessel herself
goes up. and tho ship passes from the con
tractor 70 tho government, and day after
day, while she Is IN commission, tho nag
will bo sulutcd, and the score or morn q
other ceremonies and formalities observed
on man, OF war win follow.