The iron and steel plates are first manipulated in a large shed open at the sides and ends, and measuring some 500 feet by 150. Here are situated a large number of powerful machine-tools—bending and straightening machines, punching and shearing machines, drilling machines, hydraulic riveting machines and the like. Some are of the largest sizes made, one punching machine being a 33-inch gap tool. Several other machine-tools in this large shed have special features worthy of notice, and one in particular, a flat keel plate bending machine, must be referred to with some detail. The machine in question was made by the Messrs Thomson themselves, and constitutes perhaps the latest application of machinery to shipbuilding purposes. It is supplied by hydraulic power from the accumulator that works the riveting plant—which is on the Tweddell system—and is composed of a number of arms resting on a horizontal bar. The arms are raised or lowered to suit the different shapes required, by means of a hydraulic ram placed at each end and pressing upon the horizontal bars.
Leaving the machine-tool shed, which, by the way, is amply provided, as indeed are the works generally, with travelling and fixed lifting appliances, and while en route for the smiths’ shop, are observed several isolated punching and shearing and other machine-tools for special purposes, and driven by self-contained engines or hydraulic power. The smiths’ shop is a well-arranged workshop, 600 feet long by 60 feet wide, and contains 108 smiths’ fires, besides three furnaces at each end for heating frames and plates, for bending and other manipulative purposes. This department is well supplied with the mechanical contrivances of the forge, including steam hammers of various capacities graduating from 12 cwt. up to over one ton. There are 16 small jobbing hammers in this shop; a massive 70-cwt. hammer of Messrs Thomson’s own make, is used in the production of stern-posts, rudders, and heavy forgings. The smiths’ shop is built upon excellent and somewhat unusual principles, the roof being so constructed as to readily admit of the egress of the smoke from the fires, thus securing good ventilation.
An engineering and machine shop, well equipped with lathes, drills, and other appliances, limited to the operations connected with the production of water-tight doors, steering gears, and the like, is next passed. In close proximity is the riggers loft, where a large staff of workmen, with the aid of mechanical contrivances, manipulate the rigging for the vessels nearing completion in the dock. The firm’s well-appointed saw mills are provided with a full complement of sawing machinery, much of it of a special and very cleverly contrived character. One machine, for instance, is capable of cross-cutting and ripping a log into the required sizes right away, without the usual intermediate manipulation. The arrangements for conveying the timber into position, and for removing it when cut, are very complete, and eminently calculated to ensure rapidity of production. In convenient proximity to the saw mills are the “saw-doctor’s” quarters. The old-fashioned practice of sharpening the teeth of the saws by hand-filing is discarded here in favour of a more rapid and effective method of obtaining the requisite amount of sharpness and “set.” Emery-wheels are employed and accomplish the process with a great saving of time and labour.
Amongst the other departments with regard to which no details need be given, yet all of which are admirably appointed, are the brass foundry and finishing shops, where the brass castings and fittings are prepared. The joiners’, carpenters’, and cabinetmakers’ shops are an important and extensive branch of the Clydebank premises. The building in which they are located measures 220 feet in length, by 156 feet in width. Here the ordinary ship-joinery work is undertaken, and the tasteful and magnificent furnishings, used in the luxurious equipment of the vessels built in the yard, are produced in great numbers. The joiners’ and cabinetmakers’ shops are provided with a vast number of ingenious sawing, wood-working, as well as the more ordinary joinery appliances, manufactured for the greater part by Messrs J. M‘Dowall & Sons, Johnstone, near Glasgow, and Fay & Son, the well-known American house. It is noteworthy that the belting for driving the multiplicity of machines located in this department is all conducted below the floor: in this way a welcome freedom from obstruction, and comparative immunity from danger, is effected.
A word may be added with regard to the engines and boilers used by the firm for driving their machinery. During the day the most of the machinery is driven from these main engines, the chief of which is a 200 horse-power motor, by Messrs Tangye, of Birmingham; and at night the principal machine tools and several of the workshops derive their requisite motive power from the small self-contained engines, which are attached, or are in close proximity, to them.
The engineering and boilermaking section of the works occupies in all a space of about 12,000 square yards. The boiler shop is a large and lofty galleried workshop, occupying an area of 4,000 square yards. It is splendidly equipped with all the most modern appliances for accurate and heavy work. Attention may specially be drawn to an enormous hydraulic riveter, erected by Messrs Brown Brothers, of Edinburgh. This riveter, which is just undergoing completion, is designed with a 6½ feet gap, and can close with ease rivets up to 1¾ inch diameter. It is rendered necessary owing to the tendency to greatly increase pressure since the introduction of the triple expansion engine. An engine of 100 H.P., having a steam accumulator, gives the necessary power for working this, and advantage has been taken of the extra power to actuate a system of hydraulic hoists, winches and capstans, which are being substituted for the coal-devouring and often dangerous donkey boilers and steam winches, usually in use for this purpose. The hoists will also be applied to the larger latches in order to save manual labour.
When ready to be placed on board ship, the boilers are run down to the dock by means of a tramway, in the foundations of which as many as 600 tons of slag have been packed. The boilers are then lifted on board and lowered to their proper place by means of massive shear-legs, constructed by Taylor, of Birkenhead, which are capable of lifting the enormous weight of 120 tons, and which have a foundation composed of some 700 tons of cement.
The new engine works comprise erecting, turning, and tool shops, smithy, brass foundry, and depot for laying castings and other goods, also large stores. The whole cover an area of about 8,000 square yards, making, with the 4000 square yards occupied by the boiler shop, a total area of 12,000 square yards. Machinery by the well-known makers, Messrs Shanks, Heatherington, Harvey, and others, of the most modern and powerful description, has been laid down, also overhead travelling cranes, by Taylor, to lift 30 and 40 tons respectively. Railways have been introduced throughout the shops, and a 6-ton crane locomotive lifts and deposits castings where required. In fact, everything that the most modern engineering skill could suggest has been introduced in order to fit the place for turning out not only the largest class of marine engines, but also for the saving of manual labour, and it is expected that 50,000 I.H.P. can be turned out per annum. The entire premises, it should be stated, are illuminated by the electric light, partly on the “Brush” and partly on the “Swan” systems. The vessels on the slips and in the dock are also illuminated by electric light applied in a portable form.
Since having commenced shipbuilding operations, Messrs J. & G. Thomson have placed as many as 200 vessels in the water, representing an aggregate of 300,000 tons, and a gross capital value of about £7,500,000. The position, therefore, that Clydebank yard takes amongst the shipbuilding establishments of the United Kingdom is certainly in the very front rank. The general manager of the extensive works is Mr J. P. Wilson, a gentleman of extended experience, who has before held similar posts, but none more onerous and exacting. Amongst other of the responsible officials at Clydebank of whom mention should be made Mr J. H. Biles, the firm’s naval designer, occupies an important position and shares in the credit attaching to successful work.
The three yards selected from the Clyde district have now been described, and their distinctive features enlarged upon. In passing to the notices of the yards from other districts, it may be stated that efforts will be made to avoid repetition in details that are essentially similar. The notices will be of a still more general character than those preceding, the only portions where anything like fullness may occur being those concerned with features which are not embraced in any of the Clyde yards. The most stupendous and comprehensive of the works to be noticed are those of:—