Fig. 3.

"Deck Plan.

Fig. 4.

Body Plan. Midship Section.

The accompanying figures show the general form, the nature of the fittings, and airchambers of one of these boats, 30 feet in length and 7 feet 6 inches in breadth. In figs. 1 and 2, the elevation and deck plans, the general exterior form of the boat is shown with the sheer of gunwale, length of keel, and rake or slope of stem and stern-posts. The dotted lines of fig. 1 show the position and dimensions of the air-chambers within board, and of the relieving-tubes. In fig. 2, A represents the deck, B the relieving-tubes (6 inches in diameter), c the side air-cases, D the end air-chambers. In fig. 3, the exterior form of transverse sections, at different distances from stem to stern, is shown; Fig. 4 represents a midship transverse section, A being sections of the side air-cases, B the relieving-tubes, bored through solid massive chocks of wood of the same depth as the space between the deck and the boat's floor, c, C, are spaces beneath the deck, filled up, over 6 feet in length, at the midship part of the boat, with solid chocks of light wood, forming a portion of the ballast; d is a section of a small draining-tier, having a pump in it, by which any leakage can be pumped out by one of the crew whilst afloat. The festooned lines in fig. 1 represent exterior life-lines attached round the entire length of the boat, to which persons in the water may cling till they can be got into the boat; the two central lines are festooned lower than the others, to be used as stirrups, so that a person in the water by stepping on them may climb into the boat.

This life-boat possesses in the highest degree all the qualities which it is desirable that a life-boat should possess :— 1. Great lateral stability.

2. Speed against a heavy sea.

3. Facility for launching and for taking the shore.

4. Immediate'self-discharge of any water breaking into her.

5. The important advantage of self-righting if upaot.

6. Strength.

7. Stowage-room for a number of passengers.