The Life-Boat of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution
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Fig. 1.
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Deck Plan.
Vig. 4.
Italy-Plan. Midship Section.
The accompanying figures show tho general form, the nature of the fittings, and aivcluimbers 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 Sines of fig. i 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 extefior 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 oa 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 :— I. Great lateral stability, a. Speed against a. heavy son.
3. "Facility for launching and for taking the shore.
4. Immediate self-discharge of aay water breaking into her.
5. The important advantage of self-righting if upset.
(J. Strength.
7. Stowage-room for a number of passengers.