SHIP BUILDING. 45 



fore and main jeers and other large ropes may be made fast to them. 

 Cleats are small pieces of wood with two diverging arms, which are nailed 

 to the railing or to the masts. 



The last work on the ship before launching is the completion of the stern, 

 with Its ornamental parts, the arrangement of the stern and quarter galleries 

 and of the ship's head, the sheathing of the ship's bottom with copper, and 

 painting the ship. The stern is the most ornamental part of the ship, and is 

 often decorated with carving. The name of the ship is inscribed under the 

 cabin windows; on the taffrail over the stern is the flag-staff for the national 

 colors. Ships of war have here the large lantern. 



Galleries are found only in men-of-war and large merchantmen. The 

 quarter-galleries pass round on the side of the cabin, with which they are 

 connected by a door ; they are generally closed in ; the larboard gallery has 

 a water-closet, and the starboard other conveniences. Two-deckers have 

 two galleries over each other ; the upper one is generally open. The stern- 

 gallery is a walk four or five feet in breadth, running before the cabin win- 

 dows, and communicating with the cabin by a glass door. Three-deckers 

 have two such galleries. 



The ship's head, like the beak of the ancient vessels, forms a projection 

 on the bow, consisting of several pieces and connecting with the stem. 

 It aids the ship to cut the water, and gives greater firmness to the bowsprit 

 by rigging ; but its great use is to enable the ship to lie close to the wind ; 

 and as it is embellished with carved work, it forms an ornament to the 

 vessel. It has a gallery with railings, the floor of which usually consists of 

 lattice-work. The washing of the ship and the butcher's work are done 

 here. 



The coppering of the ship's bottom consists of plates of the thickness of 

 sheet-iron, nailed to the planks with copper spikes ; it reaches only from the 

 bottom to the water-line. It serves to protect the vessel from worms, 

 barnacles, and sea-weed. The ship is painted as soon as the coppering is 

 completed ; the usual color is black, but the ornamental parts are touched 

 oflf with yellow or white. All the other work is done after the vessel is 

 launched. Launching is an occasion of great ceremony {pi. 8, Jig. 2) ; the 

 ship either slides down on a cradle, or directly on the stocks. The ship 

 is dressed with flags and banners, and the officers, invited guests, and 

 numerous strangers are on board ; and as soon as the last prop is knocked 

 away, and the rope which holds the ship on the stocks is cut free, the 

 crowd of people on the deck, with their motions, cause the ship to quiver, 

 and she begins to glide slowly at first, and then with a rapidly accelerated 

 motion. All the timbers of the ship crack ; the keel is so heated by 

 the friction that it takes fire, and water must be poured on. As soon as the 

 ship touches the water she makes a plunge, but soon rises, and shoots for- 

 ward in the water. 



The first thing after the vessel is launched is to ship the rudder. This 

 is hung by strong hooks, called pintles, to the stern-post, and swings 

 like a door on hinges. It is made of oak timber of equal strength 

 with the stern-post, and passing down to the same depth. On the 



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