18 DECK WASHHOUSE. [Ocfober, 



be worked at sea with her new fittings, which I consider 

 indispensable, when properly complete. 



I have, in the first instance, closed all the hatchways 

 but the main and my companion hatch, which will also 

 be secured. Between the fore and mainmasts, at the 

 height of our skid-beams (seven feet), one compact house, 

 covered in at the roof, is complete, battened, caulked, 

 and will be canvas-covered. Over the main hatchway, 

 receiving the vertical heat of Sylvester's stove, is a square 

 cabin (which includes the chain holes), seven feet in 

 width, and adapted with a door, closing by weight and 

 pulley. The entrance door is on the starboard side, some 

 yards before this, and an additional canvas screen inter- 

 venes, thus breaking any cold air which might otherwise 

 enter. Overhead, the vapour hatch in the awning re- 

 mains, in order to facilitate the escape of the vapour 

 from beneath the awning, but its hatch prevents the ver- 

 tical descent of cold air. The fore steam-chest, including 

 the great galley valve or space between the funnel and 

 main hatchway, and forming a commodious cabin, now 

 furnishes the seamen's washhouse ; and here they can per- 

 form this very important operation well and without fear 

 and trembling, and other evils of which I shall presently 

 have to speak. All vapour here arising from hot water 

 is carried off. I thus obtain three immense condensers 

 of the vapour arising from the main hatchway, and any 

 air passing down will be very much deprived of its killing 

 cold virtues before it meets the warm ascending current. 

 That no air incapable of combustion may flow down to 

 the Sylvester, the pipe is contained within this after- 

 cabin, and warms its air before it descends from a higher 

 level, cut off from the vapour by the canvas lining. 



