RECENT DEVELOPMEHTS IN SHIPYARD PLANTS. 183 



Plant developments, such as are described above, are justified only where large 

 construction work is to be carried out. In turn, such construction necessitates the 

 production of large steel forgings and castings and their machining ready for in- 

 stallation. Few of the private yards have been in a position to make their largest 

 iron castings, and practically none to make their steel castings and forgings. The 

 present development of these shops in the navy yards is intended to place them in a 

 position that will enable them to make promptly any repairs that may be needed in 

 war time, with the single exception of heavy ordnance. 



FORGE SHOP. 



In order to make the largest engine and hull forgings, an equipment consisting 

 of a 2,000-ton high-speed steain hydraulic forging press and smaller presses and 

 hammers is required, as well as furnaces and heat treating equipment necessary in 

 connection with the operation of presses of this size. A building consisting of a main 

 bay 65 feet wide and 67 feet to the under side of roof trusses has been prc^vided 

 for the heavy forging work with two 80-ton cranes. In addition to the main bay, 

 there is being provided a lower bay with 5-ton crane service, and with a height of 29 

 feet, to take care of the hand fires, etc. In view of the character of the work done 

 in the boiler shop and the size of the crane equipment required for it, it has been 

 considered desirable to combine these two shops in one, for this purpose providing a 

 total length of 700 feet. An efifort has been made in laying out these shops to get 

 away from the old idea that a blacksmith or forge shop must necessarily be dirty and 

 poorly lighted without the usual conveniences found in other shops. The type of 

 construction is the same as adopted for the other large shops, that is, steel frame, 

 hollow tile and steel sash sides and Aiken roof. It is intended to provide a wood block 

 floor, except in certain locations of limited area where hot metal is likely to come 

 in contact with it, in which locations cast plates will be fitted. With a clean floor, 

 ample light and ventilation and oil fuel, it is expected that the working conditions 

 can be made in this shop to approach those found in other yard shops. 



FOUNDRY. 



Provision will be made in the new foundries for the production of all sizes and 

 characters of castings used aboard vessels. The buildings are to have a main bay 

 80 feet wide and 75 feet to roof trusses with about 80-ton and 15-ton cranes, as well 

 as traveling wall cranes. The side bays are to be 55 and 45 feet wide, the one on the 

 side opposite the cupolas to have a second floor. There will be provision for brass, 

 iron and steel casting, the equipment including both electric and open hearth fur- 

 naces, able to make the largest steel castings called for by naval vessels. 



MACHINE SHOP. 



Provision in the machine shops must be made, not only for handling the forg- 

 ings and castings of the largest size, for which some of the yards are already pro- 



