Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15

then exposed to the weather for months to
season. The launching apparatus, though
strong, Is by comparison with the weight
to be borne of refined nature that a
slight obstruction in the shape of a stray
bolt or spring joint may lead to disap-
pointment, delay or misfortune. But if,
by any mischance, the ways should be act
ually weak or faulty in alignment. there
is certainty of damage and perhaps
death. Delay. too. may cause failure
After seasoning the ways are reassem-
bled and placed under the ship and this
| is usually done only few days before the
launching. so as not to interfere with the
staging and other work about the outsid .
of the vessel.
pally Of the ground ways and their founda-
ton and of the sliding ways and the cradle
which are to carry the ship to the water.
The ground ways are coated with slip
perry lubricant composed of beef tallow,
soft soap, perhaps some lard oil, and should
the weather be warm another ingredient
tending to keep the mixture firm and to
prevent Its ooZing out when pressure is
brought to bear upon the ground ways. 1t
may be instructive to know that something
like five tons of this stuff is used in the
case of large battle ships, and 1t costs
quite $500 or $1,000.
Goes In Stern First.
The ship is launched stern first, as the
form of hull aft tends to make her rise
more quickly from her first plunge than
would be the case were she sent into the
water bow first; and, too, it makes the
pivoting strain upon the vessel less just
at that moment when the bow on entering
the water, and the stern when rising
throw the burden upon the forward pop
pets. This Is the critical moment in
launching, and if the vessel have not suffi-
Gent stability in her very light condition
she may lose her balance, careen, bury her
matches and sink. The constructor in
fOIpSee nd lie
sure that his calculations be correct MOI
many years ago, in England, a ship wa
launcned without due consideration in thi:;
regard and hundreds of men working he
low as usual, were drowned like so many
rats in iron boxes. AT that time ii was
not customary to make the laborate calcu-
iatlons preparatory to the launching of
sHlpS now IN vogue, nor to determine to
hicety the forces and stresses present at
such time 80
careful provision and forethoueht have
nade due allowance for the launching of
me craft, but II in moderately narrow
cEannel. she must be brought to a stand
sun and her rush checked easily and with
IN prescribed distance 1t is not always
possible to let her check herself in a bed
OF SOFT mud. as Is done in some parts of the
country, or to bring herself to rest by
anchors and the gradual and easy tauten
ing OF their chain cables. To stop her in a
sEort Instance, system of hempen cables
is usually employed. The heavy nawsers
and led forward along the sides, carried
lEto some convenient port and coied and
thence led to anchors to be dropped from
the bows at determined moment Other
heavier lines are led to the shores or to
archors buried in the water at the sides at
foot of the ground ways. All of these
cables are placed in coils tied with smaller
rope which swapping in succession let out
the lines and graduate the checking effect
without undue strain to the ship. 1t is 10
uncommon thing to see a great fiftcen-inch
hawser snapped like kite line and woe
to him that stands in the way of that lash
ing whip.
She Starts. She Moves.
Up at the forward end of the ways a
platform has been reared and there are to
stand the fair sponsor, the honored digni
taries and the select of the invited guests.
Up above them towers a great mass of
some five thousand tons of steel white
above the water-hne and bright red below.
WIN hlttering bunting flowing from flag
stems and lmpromptu poles of various
sorts AT the word of command the
wedges are driven home with sharp reson-
ant sounds. aid. for half an hour the work