Deck Plan.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Body Plan. Midship Section.

The accompanying figures show the general form, the nature of the fittings, and air-chambers of one of these boats, 33 feet in length and 8 feet 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 of stem and stern-posts. The dotted lines of fig. 1 show the position and dimensions of the air-chambers within board, the relievingtubes, and internal ballast. In fig. 2, A represents the deck, B the relieving-tubes (6 inches in diameter and 6 in number), c the side air-cases, r the end air-chambers, E ballast, F ventilators to admit of a free current of air under the water-tight deck, G ventilator to receive pump. 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, of the same depth as the space between the deck and the boat's floor, c, c, c, c, are spaces beneath the deck, 9 feet in length, placed longitudinally, at the midship part of the boat, with solid chocks of light wood, or cases packed with cork, forming a portion of the ballast; d is a ventilator, having a pump fixed in it, by which any leakage can be pumped out by one of the crew while 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 upset.

6. Strength.

7. Stowage-room for a number of passengers.