The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-06
GREAT WORK OF
BUILDING BIG ships
Nontinued from ThIrtee1lth Pagc.)

CONTINUED from Thirteenth Page)
form Of the ship are gotten out. The
various calculations are thrn made, such
tons per inch, draught, trim, transverse
1netacentres and stability.
The builder having satisfied himself
that these calculations conform TO the
requirements, the actual building Of the
vessel is began. To this end the follow
ing operations are performed:
In the hull 6raushting department the
keel plan, showing the construction Of
the keel or backbone Of ship; framing
plan. showing the ribs and construction
Of the ship in details; shell expansion.
showing the construction and arrange
ment Of the outside.
Other plans arc made. showing the
varied details that go to make UP the
different parts Of the ship.
In the engine draughting department
the many plans for the intricate MI
clinery required to propel the ship arc
being gotten out at the same time: main
engines, boilers and auxiliarics are being
located and detailed.
The piping plan. which is the most
difficult ana prolonged, is next started.
LAYING OF THE KEEL.
While this work is going on i'll the
Office, the yard is by no means inactive.
The keel blocks have been lai6 which
bear the weight of the ship as she pro-
crosses: the keel is laid and riveted, the
frames or ribs are erected: tho curvature
Of these frames. are obtained from the
mould loft, which is mammoth drawing
board, upon which the lines are laid
down to full size; nnoulds are made for
the frames; the frames are bent TO re-
CURED shape on a large platform, called
the bendiEg-slot.
The traverse and longitudinal bulk
beads are then erected. the she'll plating,
or skin is carefully Developed and placed
in position.
Decks are next in order to be laid off,
and quickly following them are the big
forging for the stern and stern posts.
PLACING THE; MACHINERY.
In like manner the anatomy of the ship
is assembled.-namely: engine and boiler
tudinal stringers, engine and boiler en-
closures. etc.
The ship has now reached that stage
when she is ready for launching.
This operation, is not only the most dan
gerous. but one involving the most risk
for the slightest miscalc ulation may I'M
do all that mas been done. by dam
aging the vessel beyond repair.
To launch the ship she is placed in
Il wooden cradle, which is released at
proper time by a system Of triggers
causing both ship and cradle to plunge
into the water.
THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
The following departments contribute
to the makeup OF the ship, namely:
Machine shop, where all the propelling
machinery is made and filled.
Pattern shop, where all patterns nee.
essary for the thousands of castings, are
made.
The foundry, where all the forgings are
made.
Joiner, where all the fancy woodwork
and carving is prepared.
The following artisans are employed
in shipyard:
Ship draughtsmen, engineers. ma
chinists, ship-htters, copper smiths car
penters. joiners. mould-loftsnlen. frame
benders, painters. riggers, angle-smiths,
black-smiths, outf1tters, electricians, sail
makers. laborers. and the Clerical force
necessary for an esta blishment employing
1850 to 5000.
Each department does its work and then
the ship is ready to be turned over to
Ter owners.
Last of all before this. however, she is
put to the most severe tests OF her
strength and speed.