CHAPTER II. BOATS. THE American and the British requirements for boats carried by foreign-going steamships are practically identical, but for vessels employed in the home trade there is much dissimilarity. The following notes, therefore, where they refer to the number of boats to be carried, apply only to ocean-going steamships. Many of the boats carried on steamships are good examples of what a boat should not be. The contractor should not only supply the boat-builder with the dimensions of the boats required, but also with an outline of the mid section, more particularly in the case of life-boats and dinghies. In many cases these boats have much too quick a rise of floor line, making them dangerous to step into in the light condition. In addition, their scantlings are often inadequate for working boats exposed at all times to the extremes of weather. With a view to supplying a good guide as to what are wholesome proportions for the various classes of boats hung under davits, the subjoined diagram has been prepared by the writer. It is based on a long experience in designing and building these craft. When outline plans of boats are prepared, the following points should be noted: = Minimum clear distance between thwarts, 2, 2". Centre of row crutches 10" abaft aft edge of thwarts. Top of thwarts or benches 9" below bottom of row crutch. In single-banked boats stroke is always starboard. Breadth of transom =} rds. midship top breadth (except in gigs). Rabbet of transom = half the stern depth above base. Siding of hog twice the siding of keel. Moulding of hog = .4 of the siding. Scarphs of keel, etc. 4 times the siding. = = 66 "Boom," 66 "Spread Yard, ' 66 "Bowsprit, " Sheer. - Gigs sheer forward .5′′ per foot; aft .25′′ per foot. Sails. The sail area may with advantage be based on the midship section area measured to underside of thwarts multiplied by 12. AX 12 = sail area. Scantlings. The scantlings may be as given in the table which shows the requirements for boats of the Royal Navy, or these may be modified by the designer in accordance with his own experience. Slings. Inspectors should insist that all sling plates and lifting rings be tested. The following table shows the tests to which these fittings are usually subjected for the various classes of boats. TABLE SHOWING DIAMETER OF RING BOLTS With Proof Test to be Applied and the Descriptions of Boats to which the Various |