Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-10-06

Quence. In this respect, only, II snip
building like bridge building.
The work of hewing out the frame
completed in the woods, the frame is
shipped to the yard where the vessel is to
be built. With each lot of timber so
shipped go the moulds from which they
were cut out. This is necessary, a. with
out them ii would be necessary for new
set to be made, so ss to know that the
timbers were correct when again put to-
gether. Once they are back in the yard
the work of building the vessel begins.
In the meantime, however, the designer
has been engaged on job which is Of
great Importance for the usefulness OF the
ship. He has been making what Is known
as the sail plan. This shows where each
OF her masts, whether there be two, Ave,
six or seven, are to be located. This is
important, for upon it depends largely
her sailing qualities. He, too, must figure
out the size of each sail and the number
that his vessel is to have. This he does by
measurements on the model.
The work Of making these models,
mouids and plans 10 slow, requiring from
three weeks to two months, according to
the size Of the ship which IL to be con-
structed.
When the frame has arrived from the
woods all 10 ready to begin actual con-
struction. The preliminary work 10 over
and soon the frame 10 rising in the air;
the merry clang Of maui and hammer, the
hum Of saws and the metallic noise Of
the caulkers' irons are heard about the
yard. 1t 10 . busy scene, for there are
scores Of men swarming around, each do
ing his allotted part.
Perhaps few words about this frame
would not be out OF place ct this point.
The size and weight OF . ships frame
varies according to the style in which she
Is to be built. II she 10 to be Of light con-
struction, the frame is correspondingly
light. II extra heavy, frames are in pro-
portion. Al rule, the frames OF the
modern schooner IL OF oak and hackma.
tack and the planking of Georgia pitch
pine. On the average six masted schooner
the frame will weigh 500 tons, and about
. million feet Of planning will be used.
On some the weight is more, others less,
all depending upon the type OF vessel to
be constructed. The time which will be
required to build the weasel IL from four
to six months.
When the keel, which is the back bone
Of the vessel, il in place, the first thing
IL to erect the framing stage. This 10
at the bow Of the vessel, and from each
side Of II the aiding frames there lead
to the stern. On the stage the frames
Of the vessel are put together, and then,
on the sliding frames, slipped down to
their place, starting with the after frames.
When they reach the point where they
are to be set they are lifted In place by q
derrick, fastened, and followed BY the
other. This continues until all the frames
are in place, and then comes the planking.
The bending OF the big Georgia pine
planks into position is no easy Job. To
aid the men in doing this each plank Ii
steamed. That IL, IL is put in . box and
hot steam turned in with it. 1t IL kept
there for period depending upon what
part Of the vessel 1t 10 to all in the ship.
The planking up is slow work, and ~ it
progresses other work ID carried on, 30
that BY the time the planks are all in
place the vessel il well along toward COM
pletion. M
In go the masts, Triggers begin work,
while in the cabins the carpenters are at
work making them ready for the use OF
master and men.
And now comes the elimination OF all
the labor-the launching Of the finished
ship.
Nor is there anything more fascinating
than the launching of ship. No matter
how many times you may witness 1t, no
matter how often you may slide down the
ways on board the vessel taking her maid
en- dip, You always feel that same exhil-
aration. In every place where they build
vessels to-day the people turn out for
launching just - they did years and
years ago. It is made holiday, aud the
schools close that the children insy view
the spectacle.
All launchings are not the same. AT
some yards there Is sufficient harbor room
so that the vessel may be allowed to run
free and 60 until she stops, after striking
the water. This is especially true OF some
Of the yards at Rockland and Bath, while
at others an anchor must be dropped soon
after the vessel strikes the water to pre-
vent banging against the opposite shore.
This is the case at Belfast, Bucksport and
Bangor. In some yards the vessels have to
be launched broadside, too, instead of
stern first, Is is done at all yards in Maine.
This is done at many Of the yards on the
Great Lakes and in the big iron ship
building yards OF the Atlantic and Pacific,
though not in all.
But when the vessel Is launched there 10,
in her beauty and strength, that which
repays all the work and time which have
been put into her. The great pity to-day
in Maine is that there are not more launch.
ings.
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