Peter Parley's Annual, 1855: A Christmas and New Year's Present for Young People

by Unknown

The first thing done in ship-building, is, what is called “laying down the stocks.” The stocks are large masses of timber, higher at one end than at the other, forming what is called an inclined plane, which is carried out into the water some distance, to allow the vessel to be so far immersed, before she leaves their support, as nearly to float her. The ship is supported in an upright position on the stocks or ways by strong pieces of timber, called the cradle, which can be just seen in the picture of the launch, jutting out under the stern of the ship. The cradle is not fixed to the stocks, but moves loosely upon them, and when the ship is to be launched, slides down the ways with the ship, and falls to pieces when she reaches the water.

The first thing done when the stocks are built, is the laying down of that part of the ship called the keel. This is laid down in the middle of the stocks, and is supported by pieces of wood placed across the said stocks. On the top of the keel branch out, on each side, long, bent, square timbers, called the ribs, which, at the lower poop in the middle of the ship, form nearly a quarter of a circle on each side, and are afterwards carried nearly upright. Upon these timbers, when they cross the keel, is laid, in the same direction as the keel, another long square timber, called the kelson. The keel and kelson are fastened together, at every place where the floor timbers cross them, by iron bolts passed through all. That portion of the ribs which touches and crosses the keel is called the “floor timbers;” upon the kelson are the steps of the masts.

The ribs are divided into several parts, which are called futtocks. To the ribs the planking is nailed, and bolted through them; after which the seams are caulked. This is done by forcing oakum, saturated in tar or pitch, into the spaces between the planks, when a good coat of tar is laid over the whole. That part of the ship which is always under water is covered with thin sheets of copper. This is done to prevent the attack of a destructive little animal called the wood-worm, which eats its way into and through the planks, making holes nearly an inch in diameter. These holes would, by admitting the water into the hold of the ship, soon sink her, as it is impossible to stop the ravages of these insects while the ship is at sea. The worm attacks every part that is below the water-line in such immense numbers, that every plank in the bottom of a vessel that has not the protection of copper has been found full of them on her arrival into port.

The ribs of the ship are of a bent form. Of course no tree would be large enough to form them of one piece; they are, therefore, made in different lengths, each length being called a futtock; and they are distinguished as first, second, or third futtock, according to their position in the ship. These are joined together with great exactness: if not joined properly the vessel would soon tumble to pieces, for, when on a heavy sea, a ship is very much strained in various directions, and the creaking noise the timbers make is so dreadful, that inexperienced persons think the ship is going to pieces.

A great deal also depends on the position in which these ribs are placed, not only for the purpose of containing her cargo, but to enable the ship to sail well. Now, if the broadest part be placed too near the stern or after-part of the vessel, which is towards you in the drawing of the launch, she will not pass through the water so swiftly as she would if it were nearer to her bow, or the fore-part of the ship.

In the after-part of the ship is the captain’s cabin; the poop is directly over it; and here is the quarter-deck; the middle of the upper deck is called the waist or gangway, and beyond that (forward) the fore-castle. These are all the divisions of the upper-deck, which is largest in the ship, and, in some of our great men-of-war, is three hundred feet long—the depth of hold being from fifty to sixty, and the breadth fifty-five feet.

The next deck is the main-deck, and immediately under the captain’s cabin is the admiral’s state cabin. In the fore-part of the ship is the galley or cook’s room, and near to it the sick bay. These are the principal divisions of the main-deck. A portion of this deck, in front of the admiral’s cabin, is commonly called the half-deck.

Under the admiral’s cabin is the ward-room, where the lieutenants and other commissioned officers mess. This is on the middle deck. In the after-part is the gun-room, where the mates, some of the midshipmen, the assistant masters, and assistant surgeon, and the ship’s clerks mess.