120 



SUBMARINE CABLE LAYING AND REPAIRING. 



(indicated in the sketch) so placed that the cable makes two 

 easy bends in passing between them. The two surfaces on one 

 side are tixed, while those on the other can be screwed up 

 towards the cable, thus increasing the retarding strain during 

 paying-out to any desired extent. This useful gear, as used 

 on a cable-laying steamer, is shown in detail in Fig. 65. 

 When the friction table is not put in, the cable is eased out 

 through stoppers, which afford an excellent control, but require 

 constant watching. 



AVhen there is not a very long shore-end to lay, and the 

 water is fairly calm, it is convenient to use a boat-raf b instead 

 of a lighter. Such a raft is made with two boats lashed side 

 by side. Matting is placed over the gunwales, and three stout 



I'^iG. 56. — Paying- out (iear on Lighter. 



timbers laid athwart, one at bows, one at stern, and one amid- 

 ships. Planks are then laid close together across these in a 

 fore and aft direction, forming a sound flooring on which about 

 10 tons of cable can be coiled. With the ship's steam cutter 

 as tug, and two such rafts if necessary, shore-ends up to one 

 mile can be easily landed. 



There is no necessity for rigging a payingout sheave on the 

 lighter or boat-raft when the ship anchors in about five fathoms, 

 as there is no danger of cable running away in this shallow 

 water. The cable is jubt checked a little with a stopper, and 

 guided out by means of a plank or two. 



While the lighter is being prepared the shore-end in the tank 

 is tested (the results being corrected for temperature of the 

 tank), and the topmost end sealed. This will be the end to be 

 buoyed by lighter after laying the piece, and the object of 

 sealing it is to keep out moisture and permit of an insulation 



