The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

THE CHALON WORKS. 129 is done by means of three steam crânes, two of 10 tons and one of 4 tons. These crânes are specially arrangée! for rapidly shifting the load ; they are fitted with buffers, and act as locomotives for hauling wagons. Machine-Tool Shop.—The machine-tool shop contains punching, shearing, planing, drilling, boring machines, &c. ; it measures 160 metres by 45 metres (525 ft. by 147 ft.). The shop is driven by a 200 horse-power Corliss engine, built by Messrs. Schneider and Co. A high-speed 150 horse-power engine is being put down to drive the dynamos for lighting and the transmission of ppwer; this second engine will serve as a reserve in case of repairs to the Corliss engine. Steam is generated in two sets of bollers ; one set com- prising four tubulär Boilers with inside firebox, and the other, three water-tube bollers of 100 square metres stanchions, pillars, railings ; for all the forged pieces for bridges, locomotive tenders, &c. This shop is in commu- nication with the repairing shop for the tools, and the fitting shop for forged work. The smiths who shape the angles have a separate forge near the machine-tool shop. Ship Yard.—The shipbuilding part of the department is well equipped, and work is carried out on the most modern method ; the operations are confined to torpedo- boats and other vessels of moderate tonnage. The work- men are divided into two classes, one for working up sheets for torpedo-boats, launches, yachts, small tugs, &c. ; and the other for plate working for tugboats, dredgers, floating gates, &c. Messrs. Schneider and Co. have gained a well-deserved reputation for the manner in which their ship work is finished. A general 'view of the shipyard is given in Fig. 358; and Fig. 359, Plate LXXXI. is an Fig. 358. General View of Chalon Works, showing Laune hing Ways and 1000-Ton Tugboat. (1076.43 square feet) heating surface ; these were also built by Messrs. Schneider and Co., at Ci’eusot. These two sets of boilers are arrangée! so as to work together or separately. The boilers also supply steam to the steam hammers in the forges. The machines which absorb the most power are grouped on the main transmission near the engine ; among them are the hydraulic accumulator pumps which supply power for the riveting machines, and for ail the chasing work, for the rolls for the shaping of plates and the manufacture of knee plates for the larger ships’ frames. This machine can take plates 5.600 metres (18 ft. 4| in.) long, and 28 to 30 milli- métrés (1^ in. to 1t3k in.) thick. Smiths’ Shop.—This shop is fitted with three double- acting steam hammers of 30, 10, and 8 cwt. respectively. They are used for the forging of stems, stern-posts, rudder- frames, &c.; when these pieces do not exceed 30 cwt. ; for engraving of a first-class torpedo-boat built by Messrs. Schneider and Co. All frames for light craft are bent cold in the screw presses already referred to ; those for large boats are formed on slabs by means of damps which insure the accuracy of the shapes. The bars are heated on open fires, provided with several tuyeres which permit of heating them over a length of 1 metre at a time. When there are series of similar pieces to be worked, they are heated in a furnace 10 metres (33 ft.) long. Thin sheets are shaped cold either under small rolls or by wood templates ; thicker plates are shaped under the heavy set of rolls already mentioned, the plates being slightly heated previously. Stem and stern plates alone are worked in a bed of clay, after having been heated in a furnace, as they have to undergo more elaborate processes of shaping. The building slips, which have hitherto been uncovered,