1843] FOR RAISING THE SHIP. 45 



spring tide, cause her to shift her position to greater dis- 

 advantage, this raft was secured by independent moorings. 

 The next object was, to derive the greatest power from 

 this raft ; if lashed alongside, the yielding of the hempen, 

 or chain fastenings, would very shortly render it useless, 

 if not a hindrance. Two very powerful trees, exceeding 

 seventy feet each, of available timber, were selected from 

 our raft supplies ; they were got across the ship by the aid 

 of our uprights, attached solely to them, for fear of oppres- 

 ing the ship still further, by bringing any lifts from the 

 masts. As they were intended to act in a double capa- 

 city, some description of their application will be necessary. 

 Their heels being lodged on the foremost and after 

 skid beams, on the Port side they were there securely 

 cleated, lashed, and the lashings wedged ; the outer ends 

 were supported by topping lifts from the sheer heads, and 

 they were thus prevented from affecting the ship by the 

 action of the stream. From the ends of these outriggers to 

 the heads of the sheers, heavy double runners, with the cat 

 and fish blocks as purchases, were attached, similar to those 

 already described as a and b. The leading blocks of 

 these purchases were at the outer ends, and long luffs 

 were led from their heels the whole length of this lever, 

 in readiness to clap on when required. The object of 

 this lever purchase, was to act in conjunction with the 

 power of the raft, which could not be attached before the 

 moment for concentrating our forces. The upperworks 

 had been well caulked, and all the air-holes between the 

 beams closed and plastered with pipe clay, obtained from 

 a pit found in the vicinity of our huts, the hatchways were 

 closed in by double platforms, ten inches asunder, the 



