The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-08
LAUNCHING a sArrLE-sHip.
Tt Is n CompIsx II sbiern and q slight
AIistake Would Cost Millions

Il Is Conpisz II sbiem ana surht
Mistake Would Cost Millions
Albert Franklin Matthews tells an
Interesting story Of ssrhe Evolution
of a Battle-ship." in the Century
This Is a history Of the construction
OF the Indiana, so far the only vessel
of this ella S we have in our navy.
After des -ribing the wonderful POW eE
or this monster the most formidable
engine of war in the world, and the
manner or its construction, Mir.
Matthews says:
So the building goes on until the
launching day comes. and two broad
ways are built up against the bottom
Of the vessel, and the keel-blOcks on
which it has been resting are knocked
away. In the launch or the Indiana
Dir. Nixon ran row of electric lights
beneath the bottom OF the vessel,
adding another innovation to the de-
tails or American ship-bu ny.
Each launching way consists OF upper
and lower planking, between which
IS spread thousands OF pounds OF the
best tall0w. At the bow OF the boat
these upper and lower planks are
clamped together. and when all is
reaoy they are sawed apart. aud the
vessel starts The upper part or the
ways 81 des into the water with the
vessel, and the lower part with the
smoking hot tallow remains station
ary.
A launch in these daysis so smooth,
and so soon ended. rarely occupying
more than twelve seconds from start
to finish, that one scarcely realizes
its difficulties Three things are alb
soluUeiy necessary: it must be on
time, when the tidal water is high
est; it must be OF smart speed, SO as
not to stick on its downward journey
to the water; and it must be ac-
com plished without straining. $50
complex thing is launch that the
careful englnee.-in charge is able to
estimate the strain on every part or
the vessel for every position il occu-
pies, at intervals Of Que foot. on It's
way down the in line.
There is one supreme moment. 1t
is when the vessel is nearly two thirds
Ia the water. The buoyancy or the
water raises the vessel. and thrO WIS
its weight on its shoulders Here
is where the greatest danger Of
straining comes, and should the ways
eak down, the vessel would he
ruined, a matter OF nearly 1000, 600
in a ship like the Ind lana when it
was launched.
The launch over, the machinery is
lifted in and fitted. and then comes
the board or government experts,
who look the vessel over inch by inch.
the fires are start d. and the trial
trip follows. For four hours, amid
suppressed excitement that answers
nervOuSly to every culver Of the yes
sci, the engines are run at full speed.
A premium or a penalty is at stake
now. The breakage OF bolt or the
disarrangement Of valve may mean
thousands of dollars OF loss to the
contractors. Trained workmen are
locked in the ire ooms not TO be re-
leased until the test is over. Cooled
drinking water w.th oatmeal sprink-
led upon it Is run down to them In a
rubber tube from barrel on the
deck A hose is played on the costly
machinery in places where there is
danger from oNerhenting as though
il we're on tire. Almost every pound
OF coal Gsed on the trip Is carefully
selected.
When the four hours are passed
and the strain is over. S gh Of relief
from every one on board, and even
from the vessel herself goes up. and
the ,hip passes from the contractor
TO The Government and day alter
day while she is in comm IS on the
flag will be saluted and the score or
more Of other ceremonies and formal
ties observed on a man-Or-war Will
follow.