The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-22

Report OF an Omcer or tho Construction
Corps to secretary Herbert.

| Report OF an Omcer or tho Constructor
| Corps TO secretary Herbert.
WASHINGTON. April Gothic developme nt Of
| aluminium for the construction OF light boats
Of which two were made for tho wellman
| Arctic expedition In Baltimore. will lead ia
further Investigations by the Navy Depart
ment OF the advlsability Of adopting 1t in the
naval service where iron. steel. and heavier
metals are now used. The two boats built for
Wellman were each 1S feet in length and.
with all appurtenances. weighed only 335
pounds. The Navy Department became i'm
pressed with the probable value OF the light
metal for naval purposes and directed an in
vestigation OF 1t by an officer OF the Construc-
ton Corps who has just submitted his report
TO Mr.. Herbert
The report finds that aluminium can be used
for small boats and steam launches, under
certain conditions OF service. and recomm ends
that boat be made for tests in actual service.
The test made OF tho Wellman boats showed
that by placing three men aboard. one forward
and one aft and the other amidships. the heel
OF the boat was very slight. sho wing that they
were unusually stin and possessed great sta
billy. The carrying capacity OF the boats
was tested By placing eighteen sand bags
weighing 3. 333 pounds. and seven men. weigh
ing 12S pounds and with this total weigh Of
4.46l pounds the freeboard amidships was
reduced to only "A inches. Examinations
cd that the general stiffness and strength
OF the boat was ample. and the sides were we'll
bIacsd and stanch.
The report also nnds that IL is possible to
build boats OF aluminum OF ample strength
and OF less weight than wooden boats of the
same size. The belief Is expressed. however.
that boats constructed OF this material are
liable to be damaged when oolliding with
sharp projections or piers. but 1t Is not thought
that the damage would be any more serious In
the long run than wooden boats would be sub
Jected to, Experience with iron steam launches
one Of the Dripcipal difficulties TO DO eneoun-
tered IL through their liability to suffer injury
and as the aluminium plates are in no case
stronger or sitter than iron plates OF corTe-
spending thickness the only way In which
than iron boats to meet these Injuries under
the conditlons OF actual service. will be by In
creasing the thickness q the metal;
the tearing o. plates and other likely ciIcum-
stances would be very great for small boats
used on war ships. but that for boats made for
certain special service such as small torpedo
boats, pleasure craft, &c., there 10 no doubt
that aluminium is superior to other metal for
nahy reasons The ADVANTAGES to be gained
now being developed are sufficiently great to
warrant the Navy Department in constructing
aon S sns 10
sSSselI5iys! whether the .hiskPsss q
ficient local strength without the Increase OF
The report ADDS Ihst the metal pTsssnfs such
der It va liable In the hulls OF email boats. and
either wholly or partially in the construction
OF water-tight bulkhsa Attention 10 called
made by the use OF aluminium In the form Of
castings for hull fittings.
The army intends hereafter 10 make its
knives. spoons. and forks for soldiers from
Aluminium.