IMPROVED METHOD QF CONSTRUCTING SHIPS. 1^7 



an internal framing, fo contrived as to give every requifitefiip- Defcrlptioa of a 

 port and ftrength both to them and the entire veflel, with ^ ^^^^ method. 

 the leaft timber, and of the cheapeft form, and without any 

 knee-timber. 



The floor-timbers are molded feven inclies, and fided fix{ 

 thefe, with four futtocks and two top timbers at each fide, 

 form what is called a frame of timbers. Thofe fmal! timbers 

 are laid down fo that their terminations all fall out in fair lines, 

 which are nearly the fame as the ribband lines, when below the 

 wales. Along thofe lines infide are laid fore and aft ribs, from 

 flem to ftern poft, fo as to fupport the extremity of every one 

 of the fmall ribs in the fliip. The fore and aft ribs are fix in 

 number at each fide; one diredlly under the water ways, an- 

 other at the level of the lower beams, and the other four placed 

 nearly at equal diftances between thefe laft and the kelfon : each 

 pair uniting in a breaft-hook at the ftem. 



The pieces of timber which form thefe fore and aft ribs are 

 fcarfed at tJieir extremities with hook fcarfs, and fo placed that 

 the fcarfs fall out in fair vertical fe6lions of the Ihip, where 

 they are fupported, and firmly bolted to tranfverfe framings> 

 contrived fo as to unite the greateft ftrength with the leaft ob- 

 llrudlion, and which are five in number in the whole (hip. 



Thofe tranfverfe framings laft mentioned rauft be confidered 

 as the great fupport of the veflTel, and the foundations, as it 

 were, on which all the other parts reft, as the beams of a . 



wooden bridge are fupported by the piers. Thofe tranfverfe 

 framings are each formed by one upper and one lower beam, 

 two pair of futtocks, a floor timber, two pair of top timbers, 

 and four bracing pieces ; the whole conne<Sted into one firni 

 framing, felf-fupported, independent of any other part. 



The four bracing pieces form each framing into a fet of tri- The leading 

 angular compartments : which triangular framing gives the principle is that 

 greateft ftability poflible, as a triangular frame cannot be made frSigrc»nnot 

 to give in, or alter its figure, by any force which is not fufii- vary, 

 cient to tear its connecting parts through the timber of which it 

 is compofed ; a property which no other figure pofleflfes. 



Thefe tranverfe framings (beftdes fupporting the fore and aft 

 ribs, arid by them the fmall vertical timbers) tie and unite the 

 veflTel together acrofs fhip, fo as to give much greater ftrength 

 than hanging-knees, whofe place they fupply, at a much ^ 



cheaper rate. 



