RAISING 38-TON GUN PROM MUD. 
143 
2' was left on either side of the 6' x 12" x 12" skids, to allow the 
parbuckle skids to be placed (when the gun was raised) over these 
platforms, which were more substantial than those platforms about to 
be laid for the breech and muzzle. 
These platforms were laid on the 25th, and levelled with a spirit 
level. 
Saturday, 26 th May. (4 th day.) 
In the morning the sea wall was strengthened; the gun pit was 
widened. 
The sabicu beam had a 6' x 12" x 12" skid lashed below it, and was 
placed over the gun, and lashed to the trunnions with 6" rope (white) 
—4 returns under each trunnion. The ends of the beam were then 
raised by two 20-ton jacks, placed at points in the centre of the skids, 
(vide Fig. 4), and the beam was left supported by two columns 
of 4' x 12" x 12" skids at each end. These columns rested on F l F 3 
(Fig. 4). The 6'x 12" x 12" skid lashed under the sabicu beam was 
afterwards found unnecessary, and was discontinued. 
Rig-. 5. 
Section perpendicular to Axis, across Trunnions. 
<--- 18 -- 
> 
The platforms could not be laid lower, because the gun sank into 
any excavation made below its centre of gravity. The sabicu beam 
could not be lashed lower, because jacks are 2' 7" high. 
Two columns were found necessary for each end of the sabicu 
beam, because the platforms subsided during Saturday, Sunday, and 
Monday; and they were kept level by putting the weight, when 
necessary, on the outer or inner column, which soon restored the level 
of the platform. This arrangement prevented the gun from sinking 
after the 26th May, at which time it was 3' clear below the surface 
of the mud. 
Monday, 28 th May. (hth day). 
The sea wall was raised and thickened, the pit extended, and two 
platforms, P i P 1 and P 3 P 3 , laid at both breech and muzzle; the centres 
being opposite to the cascable button and half-weight mark. All the 
planks being used in former platforms, railway sleepers, 7' x 14" x 3", 
were taken, also 4 planks, 10' x 12" x 3", and 2 deal piles, 19' x 9" x 9". 
