160 History of Mechanical Inventions and 



we could ascertain the effect of the steaming on the caulking, 

 a matter regarding which we were anxious, inasmuch as, if 

 that had been disturbed, the operation would in future have 

 had to be confined to a ship about to undergo repair in dock. 

 We have, however, satisfaction in being able to report, that 

 we can discover no injurious effect on the caulking ; further, 

 that the steaming a ship for the destruction of vermin seems 

 perfectly feasible, either afloat or in dock, whether about to 

 undergo repair, or to proceed to sea. The only circumstance 

 demanding attention in the latter case is, that the ship will re- 

 quire new painting. 



9. Although the destruction of vermin by steaming may be 

 resorted to under all circumstances, yet the steaming of vessels 

 in dock, previous to their undergoing their usual quinquennial 

 repair of caulking and coppering, will be the most desirable. 



10. In addition to advantages already noticed, the facility 

 of introducing the steam from below, and the absence of con- 

 densation by the water, in contact with the whole surface of 

 the immersed bottom, when afloat, will enable the steam to ef- 

 fect its object in one-third less time. 



11. The present experiment having enabled us to ascertain 

 an efficient and simple method of steaming ships, to destroy 

 vermin, we beg here to record our opinion, that in all moderate- 

 ly large ships about to be steamed, the masts and bowsprit 

 ought to be taken out, as also all projecting boomkins, davits, 

 and cat heads. The whole of the hammock stantions and ex- 

 ternal birthing should further be taken away, and the ship be 

 cleared of all lumber, and articles likely to sustain injury from 

 the steam. 



12. For large ships, where the unmasting would be labori- 

 ous, we conceive that long bags made of painted canvass, 

 might be put over the mast heads, and nailed to deck, and the 

 steam admitted into them. Painted canvas also might be 

 tacked with wooden battens to the deck, and to the outside, 

 enclosing the sides all round, and this might be extended to 

 hawse chocks, quarter galleries, and to all parts which it would 

 be inconvenient to remove. 



13. By lifting the ship's pumps about three feet, one of 

 them may be fitted as a safety steam valve, and the other as a 

 safety air valve, and thus a communication be made quickly 



