R.R.S. 'DISCOVERY IT 8i 



The appearance and design of the ship are illustrated in Plates I-III. She is of flush 

 deck type (the upper deck being the strength deck) with a raised forecastle and half 

 poop. She has a straight stem down to about i ft. above the load water-line, where the 

 stem runs away in a long fair curve to the keel. This cut-away forefoot improves her 

 steering qualities and is of assistance in breaking light pack-ice. In section the stem is 

 rabeted or T-shaped, affording protection to the edges of the plates in ice navigation. 

 The fore body of the ship is well flared out from the water-line to the gunwale for about 

 40 ft. aft from the stem (i.e. to the end of the topgallant forecastle), this form being 

 intended to guard against the shipping of heavy water when working in a head sea. The 

 ship, in fact, has proved herself remarkably dry for her size when hove-to. The form of the 

 hull is rather fine. The ship has a good rise of floor, and a round bilge with a ver\^ slight 

 tumble-home from the load water-line to the upper deck — a large tumble-home would 

 have been inconvenient in handling scientific gear. 



The stern is of the ordinary elliptical counter type, which is well adapted for shooting 

 large nets, and in conjunction with the raised poop has proved its seaworthy qualities 

 when running before sea and wind. The main strength members of the ship's hull are 

 of specially heavy construction, the stem, keel and sternpost all being well in excess of 

 classification requirements for vessels navigating in ice. In addition to this strong 

 framework, the frames in the fore body of the ship are closely spaced and very deep, and 

 a series of cross-beams consisting of pitch pine timbers of 12 by 12 in. section are fitted 

 at frequent intervals extending aft for about 50 ft. from the stem. The ends of the beams 

 are housed in a pitch pine panting stringer about 7 ft. below the main deck. The com- 

 bination of stringer and beams at normal water-line affords a valuable resistance against 

 ice. The other main ice protection is formed by a doubling of the shell plating fore and 

 aft along the water-line and all round the bow to the height of the upper deck. The 

 beams to the upper deck are fitted on every frame to increase the rigidity of the structure. 



The rudder is of large area and heavy construction, much in excess of classification 

 requirements ; it proved to be very effective, for the ship carries her steerage way under 

 ordinary conditions until she is practically stopped. Six transverse bulkheads are fitted, 

 two oiltight and four watertight. The main deck is of pitch pine ; the upper deck is of 

 steel, sheathed with 2^-in. pitch pine, and both bridge decks are of teak. Bilge keels are 

 fitted amidships for about one-third of the vessel's length. They are constructed of 

 T-bar and bulb plate, so arranged that in the event of the projecting bulb plate being 

 damaged it will become detached from the T-bar with the minimum risk of damaging 

 the ship's plating. 



ARRANGEMENT OF FITTINGS AND ACCOMMODATION (Plates III-V) 



The whole of the upper deck is protected by bulwarks 3 ft. 6 in. high, capped with a 

 teak rail and provided with wash-ports to allow free outlet for any water shipped. Two 

 hinged doors in the bulwarks, one on each side, are fitted in the waist to form gangways 

 for the accommodation ladder. 



