65 



8i«t ill part of the following, viz : more speed, better tailing, (having no wheel 

 houses to impede her motion through the water ;) a thousand tons more stowage, 

 and greater safety (as the most vulnerable part of steamers is in ttie wheels, and 

 the screw is placed beyond the reach of danger.) She is built. entirely of well 

 proved rolled iron. The ribs are forged to the required patterns, and the sheets 

 similar to the plates of steam boilers, are secured to the ribs and frame work by 

 screws and ,nuts, and are fastened together by bolts rivited when red hot, in the 

 usual way of connecting iron sheets. The ship is then caulked and pitched like 

 any other vessel. The holes in the ribs and plates are punched by a slow moving 

 trip hammer, with a well tempered bolt or die connected with it, of the required 

 size. This die seems to meet with no more resistance than from so much paste- 

 board. In a similar way, the metal is cut to any given pattern, by a continuous 

 succession of holes. There will not be a particle of wood employed in the con- 

 struction of the ship, except for the deck and the interior accommodations for pas- 

 sengers. It is supposed she will be ready for sea in the course of the year 1841. 



10 Aua imy 



