Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-11


ings are made in Bath. These drawings
are then sent to the mold loft where the
vessel is laid down full size and the body
plans struck out in sections.
In the meantime, a wooden model has
been made by the pattern maker, and on
this model is lined of all the plate, edges
and laps OF the outer plating. OF course
1t is understood that every part OF the
ship when completed is to be OF solid
steel.
Next, the sheer plan, which gives the
stem and sheer of the boat, 10 determined.
As the latest wsrships have double bot
toms, model OF the inner bottom 10
made and lined. The keel, bulkheads
decks, foundations, bow and stern franz
ings, deckhouss and castings are all rough
ly outlined. The fioor-heads, keelsons
and stringers are marked on frame body
plan taken from the drawings, and every
thing else made complete on the model.
While this work is going on, the stern,
stern post, rudder and other large forg-
ings and castings are going forward and
the drawings sent into the different shops
where they are to be made. The engin-
eering department is notified OF the horse
power required for the vessel, and the
space available for the same, and this
work Is commenced at once. In the
meantime orders have left the Office for
the steel and forgings, and in the short
space OF month everything in the shape
of material is on the ground and In
readiness to begin the work Of construc-
ton.
The keel blocks are now laid and the
frames are bent as indicated by the
wooden mouids already prepared. The
keel plates, bulkheads and deck beams are
all shaped and punched in the machine
shop, so that the framing can go on with
out any delay. This frame work is made
OF bars OF steel 6x3hax3h inches in size,
and are bent in big sixty foos furnace.
They are then taken out and "faired" up
to mould and then put in place where
they are held by deck beams and rib
banded of with pieces OF wood between
the frames. When the plates are up this
wooden .sribband" is taken of, as the
outer strokes are put on.
After the frames are all up aud faired
the deck beams are faired and tue
decks put In place. All the bulkheads
are located and built as the deck is laid.
These bulk heads are made OF quarter inch
steel plate, and each separate apartment
serves some useful purpose in the econ
omy Of the ship.
In the old wooden vessels the caulking
was done with oakum, but these steel
plates are calked by pounding the edges
together after the riveting has been done.
Each buikhesd is tested and must be
water tight. BY the aid OF trimming
SO as to trim or settle the ship at pleasure.
When the shell is all in readiness the en-
gines and other machinery is placed in
position. In the great modern cruisers
and battleships. triple-expsnsion engines
are used, and these, like all other parts OF
the vessel, are made in the Bath Iron
Works. These engines are endowed with
tremendous strength, and all are tested
before being handed over to the govern
ment. Barbettes and turrets come next,
and mssts, fighting tops and electric
plants are among the last thing to be
placed on board before the launching.
The launching OF great warship Is an
exciting event. The standing ways are
thoroughly creased, and wedges are driv-
en- In such a manner as to release the
strain upon the blocks. The whole
weight now rests upon the sliding ways
which in turn lie upon the ground ways.
This launching cradle Ia dashed together
under the keel by strong ropes from side
to side, and then the shore braces are
knocked away, one by one, thus removing
all ground support OF the keel.
The vessel is now held in place only by
an arrangement OF rods, pins and rope
lashings. When all is ready these LASH
ings are cut, the pins are drawn out and
in an instant
"She starts, she moves, she seems to feel
The thrill of life along her keel.
And. spurning with her foot the ground,
With one exulting, joyous bound
She leaps into the oceans arms"
The vessel shoots far out into the water,
where a tug picks her up and tows her
back to the wharf. The whole operation
has consumed only few moments, but
those moments have been thrilling ones
to all on board.
In all the larger ships, the engine and
other machinery is put in position after
the launching, and while the vessel Is
dashed to the wharf. The deck work,
painting and finishing touches can also
be done much better now than while she
is on the stocks, and in fact, larger part
OF the work Is done after the launching.
THE BATH IRON WORKS.
The Bath Iron Works, as plant, was or
ganized but ten years ago, but during
that time vast changes and improvements
have been made. The buildings stand on
a square block OF land and, together with
the yards and docks, cover a space OF
eleven acres. They are all commodious
and conveniently located, while the power
used is divided between steam and cleo
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