The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-11
LAUNCHING 4 BATILE-sHIP.

1t Is n Complex Problem and a snEht
Mistake Would Cost Millions
Albert Franklin Matthews tells an
interesting story Of ifIhe Evolution
Of a Battle-ship" in the Century.
This is a history OF the construction
of the Indiana, SO far the only vessel
or this cla-s we have in our navy.
After describing the wonderful power
OF this monster, the most formidable
engine Of war in the world, and the
manner OF its construction. Dir.
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 keei-blucks on
which it has been resting are knocked
away. In the launch Of The Indiana
MT. Nixon ran a row Of electric lights
beneath the bottom OF the vessel
adding another innovation TO the de-
tails OF American ship-build ng.
Each launching way consists of upper
and lower planking, between which
is spread thousands of pounds or the
best tallOw. At the bow OF the boat
these upper and lower planks are
clamped together. and when all be-
reaoy they are sawed apart. and the
vessel starts The upper part OF the
ways slides into the water with the
vessel, and the lower part with tho
smoking hot talIoW remains station
airy.
A launch in these days is 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 ab-
sOluJely necessary: it must be on
time, when the tidal water is hlru-
r s.Fn
not TO stick on its down ward journey
to the water; and iU must be ac-
com Dlished without straining. ESQ
complex a thing is "A launch THAT enc
careful ny neeI-in charge is able SD
estimate the strain on every part or
the vessel for every position I'D occu-
pies, at intervals OF one foot, Ou ila
way down the In line.
There is one supreme moment 1b
is when the vessel is nearly two thirds
in the waite. The buoy dncy Of the
water raises the vesse.. and throws
its weight on its shoulders Here
is where Tie greatest DANGER of
straining comes, and should Clue ways
b eak down. the vessel would lc
ruined. a matter OF neatly e-.ulO. sJ5
in Il snip like the Ind lana when it
was launched.
The launch over, the machinery is
lifted in and lifted. and then rUfues
the hoard or government experts.
who look the vessel over inch hy inen.
the fires are start d. and the trial
trip follows For four hours, ami
suppressed excitement that answers
nervOusly to every culver Of the Vcs-
sci, the engines are run at full speed
A premium OF penalty is at stake
now. the breakage of bolt OF the
disarTanEement OF a valve may mean
thousands OF dollars ofloss ro the
contractors. Trained W0rkmen a-o
locked in the ire. Ooms, not 30 Dee re-
leased until the test is over. Cooled
drinking water " tn oatmeal sprink-
led upon it is run down 10 them ln r
rubber tube from "a barrel On che
deck. A hose is played on the costly
machinery in places where there U.s.
danger from Oyerhenting, as though
it were on fire. Almost every pound
OF coal esed on the trip is carefully
selected.
When the four hours are passed
and the strain is over. a sigh III relief
from every one on board, and even
from the vessel herself goes up. and
the ship passes from the contractor
TO the Government, aud day after
day while she is in comm "a on the
flag will he saluted. and the score or
more OF other ceremonies and formal
tiles observed on man-Or-War viii
follow.