The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-26
PLATING THE NEW DEFENDER.
Work on the Yacht Is Progressing Steadily
In Hristol.

PROVIDENCE. March 25.-Work on the new
cup defender Is progressing steadily In Bristol.
TIL last plate OF the third strake has been set
to tho frames. The plates Of the first and third
strakes are inner plates with the edges OF those
OF the second strakc overlapping them. These
plates average ten feet long. with a width Of be-
tween two and three feet amidships. They
taper to a narrower width in the over
hanGings. The plates are joined very
closely at the ends. but calkinG will be ncccs-
sary to make the joints water tight. The up
per edge of the first strakc and the upper and
lower edges of the third strakc are Enuckled.
The lower edge OF the first strake being fast
ennd with bolts and nuts TO the lead keel. 1t re-
quires 10 knucklinG.
The knuckIed or Hanged edges NJ the alter
nate strakcs Of plating turn inward from
tho sides Of the ship as indicated some
time ago. The knuckle is broken where
every frame intcrsects and the sections Of
all knuckics from bow to stern. on the inner
pilates are. about twenty inches long. and the
width Of the knuck!eS on the upper edge OF the
lower Gig Of the Third strake The EinucEElee IS
one and one-qngrter inches wide. and the up
per "lGes OF this strake may be slightly mar.
outer lars. will b" without knuckling. hut the
rutt,n- and i%iar"tnG OF the nth strak which
is now being done. shows the knuckles to lie
a triilc under an inch wide. =.
From a kn2wicdgI Of these arrangcments It
NAV Ie fhl'tulcl IllHl dS us IhlefS III llle
lower strakes are wider tlnn those uD nearer
the l"ck line there is a saving In weight in tho
upp"r plates a, com pared with the lower ones.
| which will be- heavier. There are indications
that the knuckiing Of every strake of plating
will ho carried up into the tOrsides as well az
in the undcrlody. This will make a line OF
| knGckling AT every Ian running fore and aft.
This process will eliminate 70 n great extent
| III" system Of heavy hilge strinRers that was q
feature Of the stif1enins OF the undarhodv OF
tn" Defender four years ago. As they were
laid Hat they worked with the hcnve of the ship
! more than will The knuckles 81 the new boat.
which are turned inhourl. II is probable that
| soma ot these flauguB will lie tied together TO
timh"rs whore the latter intcrsrct. This
knuckling process. especially the turning Of
the tianEus. has been n source of much difl-
Guilty, but the work is running smoothly now.
The spaces for the several france to run
through are cut ont in the plates with great
nicely before the edges are knucklcd.
| The rudder stock OF the boat. which is %
feet X inches long. j. in two sections, but it is
smalle r in diameter than that ~ the Defender.
which was nearly fourteen. inches thick. The
fpor-platcs. which are being rivetnd on. near
quarter of an inch thick. Tie knuckles Of the
plating nre turned NJ a sharp angle. Two
new steel hulkheahs are being erected
in the machine shop. Thnse are Of
three-siNtennths-inch material. There also will
be two wooden hulk heads. one fore and
one aft. There will lee a hacking Of steel plates
in the wake OF the mast and inside the plating
where the chain plates will be-. to add strength
for the strain that will come on these parts.
These plates will be Of Quarter-inch metal.
The deck will he of selected Michigan pine.