The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-09-23

further carried out by the fact that the
span of the semicircles of wood de-
creases as either end of the cradle is
| approached, just as a ship tapers to-
ward stem and stern
BUILDING OPERATIONS.
The cradle, which serves in raft
building a purpose similar TO that of a
building berth in shipbuilding, is an
chored at the edge of a river close to
the forest from which the logs are
taken. Time is thus saved in assem-
bling the material; and inasmuch as it
requires from eight to ten months to
build giant raft under the most fav-
orable conditions, this economy is inn
portant. The logs may be stored on
the river banks close at hand, or f1oated
down the stream and held in a boom
close beside the cradle, into which they
are swung one by one by means of a
derrick operated by a donkey engine
Usually workman rides on top of each
of the big sticks as II is lifted into
the air in the clutches of the power
full graphing irons, and is enabled to
direct its course to the exact location
which it is desired to have it occupy in
the raft.
The arrangement of the binding
the placing of the log lengths. The
chains, which are to encircle the mass
at intervals of twelve feet, are laid
down at the outset in conformity with
the semicircular members of the era
die, SO that the first layer of logs, in
stead of resting directly upon the wood
en- supports, reposes on these chains,
the ends of which will ultimately be
joined over the top of the completed
structure. When the raft is about half
completed. the~e is run fore and aft,
through the elter of the log mass, the
immense chain which is to serve as the
backbone of the whole structure Cross
ing this at right angles, are installed
smaller chains which extend entirely
through the raft and at either side
join the encircling chains, first men
toned, thus enclosing the logs in
complete net of iron.
The building cradle-and, by the way,
it represents the heaviest initial in
vestment of the raft builders equip
ment, costing many thousands of dol
lars-is anchored in deep water so that
it may not only rise and fall with the
tide, but may, without danger of
sink lower and lower into
the water as the weight of logs in
creases.
LAUNCHING AND TOWING.
When the raft is fully completed, it |
is launched by dividing the cradle
into two sections, which,
when pulled apart, allow the log le-
viathan to slip into the water. OF
course, this slicing in twain of the era
lie has been prearranged, the ribs .
orming the structure being so e,ovetai1- :
almost instantaneous manipulation of
,ey-pins to disconnect them.
AS a final touch in the construction /
f the raft, bulkheads of heavy timber
re placed at either end of the struc-
ure; and a six or eight-inch hawser is
ttached, by means of which the I'M i
vieIdy mass is towed out OF the river
where it was built and along the coast.
III the giant RATS thus far built have
cen constructed at Stella, Washington,
T some other point on the Oregon or
Washington shore of the Columbia riv-
+, and have been towed to San Fran
isco, where they are broken up and
old, mainly to shipbuilderS, foi. use as
pars, or to contractors. for use as pill
lg in railroad construction, etc.
In making the trip down the Column
ia river, a giant raft is usually tow
q by powerful tug, with g stern |
heel steamer at the after end of the
,g mass, for steering purposes; for
his waterway is shoal in many places, |
nd a raft drawing p 1-2 feet OF water
likely to go aground unless guided
18th great care. For the ocean voyage.
ie raft is usually taken in tow by two |
ig tugs. For the journey from san Fran
SEQ to Shanghai with the pioneer trans
,eanic raft, il is proposed that the two
lgboats shall be accompanied by
,llier or oil steamer carrying fuel for
Ie little fleet which could also assist
the towing if necessary.
Considering the number OF RATS
hich have been built, and the severity