CHAPTER VI. 



PACKING, SHEATHING, AND CAULKING. 



Sheathing. Caulking. Engine packing. Box packing. Door packing. Window paxsking. 



The reader will notice that the statements relating to the 

 articles described in this chapter are mostly qualified, except that 

 of engine packing, which has proved quite successful, and the 

 tests in the use of it being so much more severe than upon 

 other articles described in this chapter ; the writer feels war- 

 ranted in assuming something in anticipation as relates to them, 

 notwithstanding they have not yet been sufficiently tested in a 

 practical way. When that shall be, it is believed that the ad- 

 vantages will be found to exceed, rather than fall short of what 

 is here presumed upon. 



SHEATHING. 



It has at different periods been suggested to the writer, that 

 India rubber fabrics would be useful for sheathing, instead of 

 copper sheaths. The writer's knowledge of the subject, does 

 not enable him to judge in the case. It appears certain that the 

 stayed elastic compound, made as spring hinges are, might be 

 nailed over the seams of the timbers of vessels, so as to stop 

 leakage, oftentimes when they are started ; and it is highly 

 probable that the caoutchouc board and whalebone recently in- 

 vented will answer for sheathing, even if the other fabrics do not. 



