It is customary to ceil the vessels throughout, and the fish holds 

 are not only ceiled but insulated. The framing of the vessels, con- 

 sequently, is very poorly ventilated, causing the oak friimes to 

 deteriorate very quickly. As a consequence, a shrimp vessel is fre- 

 quently considered old in five years. 



Design and construction are of minor importance as far as 

 motor boats are concerned since motor boats are operated on a 'hnaka- 

 do" basis in protected waters where almost any small work boat is able 

 to live up to requirements. 



Among specific shortcomings of vessel construction encoun- 

 tered were the following: 



(1) Frames were frequently not steamed long enough, and 

 they sometimes cracked upon bending. 



(2) Planking was nailed in many cases directly to the 

 frames without counter-sinking and plugging of holes, 

 or the nails used were too long and nail ends, con- 

 sequently, protruded and rusted on the inside of the 

 vesselj in both instances the nails gradually worked 

 loose under normal stress and planking pulled away 

 from the ribs. 



(3) Caulking of the planking was not always done, and the 

 planking usually butted on the frames. 



(U) Fastenings were often inadequate. 



(5) The keel and keelson were drifted together rather 

 than bolted, 



(6) (Sreen lumber was frequently used for engine beds. On 

 drying, these beds shrink and twist, thus causing 

 alignment problems between the engine and the shaft. 



(7) Short engine beds were installed, giving improper 

 \?elght distribution in the vessel and little flexi- 

 bility in the positioning and type of engine used. 

 (Good practice requires the placing of an L-shaped 

 steel shoe on the engine beds to reduce alignment 

 problems . ) 



(8) The dackhouss was seldom adequately secured to the 

 cross tiiibers, and nails were again substituted for 

 the more secure bolts. 



(9) Masts were fastened inadequately. In lieu of the 

 mast baing stepped down into the vessel, as good 

 practice requires, it is frequently secured to the deck. 



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