Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

74 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. Fig. 16.—PUNCHING A LARGE SHELL PLATE. the “ plating squads.” These squads usually consist of three platers, a marker, and a num- ber of helpers or labourers. , 7. , . The Plating. From the light wooden tem- plates made, the side and end edges are sheared and planed, and the rivet holes punched in the plates. As each plate is got ready, it is lifted into position and fastened temporarily to the frames or beams by the platers by means of bolts and nuts. The plates for the shell and decks of large steamers are now made of great size, the advantage of this course being a reduc- tion in the number and weight of butts (end- to-end joints) and overlaps necessary. Some of the steel plates worked into the great liners recently built have a weight of 4 to 5 tons, and measure 48 feet long. It is interesting to re- call that in the Great Eastern the iron plates used for the outer shell weighed only about 71 cwt., and were 10 feet long. While the platers are engaged on the shell, the “ riveting squads ” are employed on the various internal parts of the vessel ; and when these last are completed, the jL. . Riveting. shell and deck riveting claim attention. A riveting squad usually com- prises two riveters, a “ holder-up,” a heater Fig. 14.—DRILLING SIDE ARMOUR OF A BATTLE- SHIP. (Photo, S. Cribb, Southsea.) Fig. 15.—A VERY LARGE HYDRAULIC RIVETER. (Photo, Messrs. Henry, Berry and Co., Leeds.)