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146 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



TARPAULINS 



These are made in the form of hatch covers, hammock covers, 

 and other articles, of corded and barred vellum, and the plated 

 fabrics. 



For this use, as well as all others, when the fabrics are con- 

 stantly exposed to the action of the sun and weather, a large 

 proportion of carbon or lampblack is required to be compounded 

 with the gum. 



At the time of the first manufacture of the vulcanized fabrics 

 for such purposes as the above, this fact was not known, and the 

 articles did not prove as good as was expected ; but it has since 

 been proved beyond a question, that with the addition of carbon, 

 this objection is removed. The fabrics are yet further improved 

 in this particular, by giving them a surface coat of caoutchouc, 

 compounded with shellac. 



SHIPS' WATER TANKS 



Are made of corded and barred plated fabrics, in the form 

 of a barrel, with or without a hose and stop-cock attached, as 

 represented in plate , fig. . 



It is satisfactorily proved by long trial, that water may be kept 

 in these vessels a great length of time without injury. Another 

 great advantage they have is that of compact storage, and of 

 more convenient transportation than barrels, or other wooden 

 or earthen vessels, for taking water on board from the shore by 

 boats. It is apparent that these tanks may be made of any 

 dimensions for containing water on shipboard, and that their 

 buoyancy when filled with air instead of water, might be made 

 available on many occasions in forming life boats or rafts. 



