226 THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC WELDING 



the total number of rivets required in the riveted ship, the designer has simply added 

 the extra rivets instead of attempting to v\^eld. 



It may be added that this vessel has been designed in general conformity with 

 the Rules of Lloyd's .Register of Shipping for electrically welded vessels. 



Instructions have already been issued by the Director of Shipbuilding in Great 

 Britain to proceed with the construction of a number of coastal vessels of about 200 

 feet in length after this design. 



It is understood that a detailed description of the design and method of con- 

 struction will be contributed to the discussion on this paper by Mr. Isherwood, there- 

 fore no further reference need be made here. 



Design for Transversely Plated Vessel. — Should electric welding justify itself 

 by actual experience and development in shipbuilding as it has done in other spheres 

 of engineering such as locomotive, automobile and aeroplane work, the possibilities 

 of the future in ship design awaken the liveliest imagination. 



It may be found desirable and expedient to break away entirely from the pres- 

 ent methods of erection and of arranging material for which the limitations of a 

 riveted joint have been primarily responsible. That such an eventuality has been 

 foreseen is evidenced by the design illustrated in Plates 156 and 157. 



The design and method of erection shown in these sketches was devised by 

 Mr. C. P. M. Jack, acting under the direction of the Welding Committee. The 

 object of this design was not so much to demonstrate the possibility of building a 

 welded ship as to indicate the possible saving in material, time and cost in ship con- 

 struction which might result from the successful completion of the committee's work. 

 In this design one of the principal objects aimed at was the fabrication and welding 

 of large sections in the shops with a view to reducing overhead and field welding. 

 The various sections prepared for erecting are shown in the perspective drawing, 

 from which it will be seen that with the exception of the keel, center keelson, rider, 

 bilge and sheer strakes and upper deck stringer, the vessel is plated transversely. 

 The parts mentioned are those subjected to the maximum principal stresses and are 

 worked fore and aft in long lengths of increased thickness, the butts being shifted 

 and specially reinforced. 



The method of erection proposed is also a radical departure from existing 

 methods. Instead of building from the keel upwards, this vessel, it will be observed, 

 is built from the stern forward. 



A large header, mounting two electrically driven cranes and containing the 

 stagings, pipe fitters', joiners', carpenters' and other shops, welding equipment, and 

 foremen's offices necessary for each ship, travels along the way on tracks, as each 

 6-foot section is completed. 



The design was adapted to standardized production and arranged so that a com- 

 plete section 6 feet in length could be erected and welded at the ship during each 

 8-hour shift. It was intended that the shop work be done entirely by women and the 

 field erecting and welding by men. 



Weldmg as an Occupation for Disabled Fighters.— Apzrt from its importance 



